For those graphic minded out there...

[lionkingcmsl]

a question.

My model railroad will be using Superliner cars. These are the double deck passenger cars that Amtrak uses on the western routes. Now I can't use the term "Superliner" as it is trademarked by Amtrak. Go here for a Wiki entry on the cars.

I came up with my own name "Westliner" for them. I call them that, because, like Amtrak, they would be restricted to western routes. The question is how does the following "logo" look for use on the cars?


Click on logo for better image.

One note is that the logo will actually be on a light gray background, not white.

Comments

[shockwave77598.livejournal.com]

If it's for a model train and you aren't selling the trains, and you are making them up yourself, what's the problem with making them Superliners? For example, I can paint any cylinder with the Coke emblem for my own use and not get in trouble. If I sell something with it, that's a different matter.

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

Well, it is more like I'm treating the model RR as if it was a real RR. You saw some of what I am doing.

I've even got the routes down plus schedules for various trains.

I also plan to take photos and get them published, so that may lead to problems with using a trademarked name.

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Especially a trademark owned by your employer. Big companies can get funny ideas about what constitutes representing your company in a way they didn't approve.

Besides, it's more fun to make things up.

[dhlawrence.livejournal.com]

I'd suggest dropping the compass--a bit too busy. It's great for promotional material, but I don't think it would stand out much on the train itself.

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

My opinion and advice as a graphic designer follows.

(1) Consistent proportion is key. Set the W in the same font as "ESTLINER", and when you scale it, preserve the proportions; do not stretch it or squish it vertically or horizontally. You will find it looks much more professional.

(2) Adjust the length of the compass lines so that N and S are as close or slightly closer to the center intersection than E. This is so the tallness of it doesn't clash with the proportions of the letters.

(3) The compass design isn't aligned with anything. My recommendation depends on how you choose to size the W. If it's about triple height, as it is now, sizing the compass so that the top of the N lines up with the top of the W will improve the overall shape of the logo. But you may find that a full-width W looks too enormous at that size (purely a matter of taste, I think), and you may want to bring it down to about double height. In that case, it might be interesting to align the horizontal line of the compass with the top of the W.

[lowen-kind.livejournal.com]

How's this:



The font is Microgamma Bold Extended, the "W" is 96pt while the "ESTLINER" is 48pt.

[ceruleanst.livejournal.com]

Much, much better. Well done.

I'm starting to think dhl was right about the compass, though, and that I was mistaken. It's sort of cluttery and still looks arbitrarily positioned.

Here's an idea: why don't you use the S in Westliner as "south"?

For more simplicity, maybe the little N and E can be replaced with arrowheads. Or maybe there should be arrowheads north, south, and west but nothing on the east. Play around with it and see what you like.

[torakiyoshi.livejournal.com]

Tip the N-S axis of the compass to match the italics of the word.

Having taken a significant trip on those superliners, I can tell you I greatly approve of your use of them on your model RR. =^_^=

Have the best

-=Kiyoshi