Looking For Feedback/Opinions

[Dood]

So, I'm trying to get a new "avatar" for RumDood.com. The current one is a leftover from my computer gaming days, and I just wanted something better and more rummy.

The original artist bowed out, so I've enlisted the help of Craig Mrusek (Dr. Bamboo (http://drbamboo.blogspot.com/)) in creating a new one. He's been created sketches for me, and I'm trying to get a better feel for what people who read the site (and sites like this one) think is a good fit.

Of the sketches I've received, these are my current "leaders":

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood_logo_sketch_04.jpg

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood%20logo%20sketch%2001.jpg

The 04 image there is the one that's closest to what I've been trying to get, but I'm thinking it might be a tad too sinister looking. The 01 sketch is more welcoming and fun, but a bigger departure from the original icon - revolution instead of evolution. I'm thinking I might ask for the 04 sketch to be modified such that the eyebrows aren't so sinister looking...go for something a little more whimsical in the eyes.

Any thoughts?

[Scottes]

Take 04 with 01's happiness and you have a winner. 04 is more a dude than 01, who looks more like a buddy.

Craig's the guy who did my avatar. Very nice guy.

[Dood]

Yeah, that's kind of what I was thinking.

Actually, I wrote him back asking if he could just adjust the eyebrow area a bit to see what happens.

As a test, I did my own photoshop jobs on the image...

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood_logo_sketch_04_MOD1.jpg
http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood_logo_sketch_04_MOD2.jpg

And then one just for fun...

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood_logo_sketch_04_MOD4.jpg

[Milicent]

Your photoshops look good. I imagine a 3 1/2 being just about perfect. The 01 is too nice and the 04 is a little too pervy (rum, Rohypnol, and raunch). I'll look forward to seeing the final product.

[RumBarPhilly]

How much does this artist charge for drawing these avatars up? I want one!

[Mr Fjeld]

Yeah, all the alternatives are cool! Looking forward to seing the final version you decide on!

[Capn Jimbo]

FWIW, I spent a goodly number of years developing logos, TV, radio and print ads. I love working with good artists. I learned three important things:

1. Pick a good artist, one whose work turns you on.
2. The next step is a good chat, in this case, over rum. It's very important to not so much discuss the end product but more the concepts, feelings and your own personality.
3. Trust the artist.

I've got a hunch the artist likes 04. Let's face it you're the rum Dood, not the rum Roly Poly or the Rum Buddy or the Rum Chum. You're a Dude, Dood. 04 nails it. The eyebrow is a perfect focal point and makes a statement. It says "I'm a Dude". Its lines visually carry you from the eyebrow to the dudelike smile. Well balanced.

Dudes are, in fact, a bit sinister (though I really don't see that in 04). A bit aloof. The raised eyebrow type, with a broad, sneaky smile. Your alteration of 04 to make nice takes all the stuffing out of it, it's now a Dude on doggy downers (top alteration), or a nice guy on Halloween (bottom). The middle alteration isn't bad but now the eyebrow no longer carries you to the smile. I like the original, very nice.

Think about it...

[Jerry]

Definitely the 04!

[Tiare]

I've got a hunch the artist likes 04.You're a Dude, Dood. 04 nails it. The eyebrow is a perfect focal point and makes a statement. It says "I'm a Dude". Its lines visually carry you from the eyebrow to the dudelike smile. Well balanced.


Number 4 yes! and when i try to look at it from an artists view (i`m a painter too) it just hits the nail, dang! it really says I`m a Dude..go for it!

[Dood]

Thanks for all the feedback.

04 is pretty much exactly what I had been trying to get...just became concerned when one of my regular readers suggested it wasn't very welcoming, so I figured I'd gather some more input.

Anyway, my photoshop jobs were largely for self-reference, although I did send them to Craig. He's been a really good sport about all of this. I'm looking forward to seeing what he comes up with for the "less sinister" look so that I can get a real comparison of the two.

As for cost, I believe Craig charges based on the required work and what's involved. I'm spending a few hundred bucks for mine, which will be on my website, my forum avatars, and eventually - when I open a Cafe-Press shop to help support my site, it'll be all over that too.

[Paulipbartender]

I like your alterations Dood - and I'm loving the sh*t eating grin of design 4. That dawg's a true Rum Dood :)

[Dood]

OK, I've got 3 finalists now, as Craig has quickly given me 2 new options

Sketch 4:

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood_logo_sketch_04.jpg

Sketch 5:

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood%20logo%20sketch%2005.jpg

Sketch 6:

http://www.robold.com/downloads/Dood%20logo%20sketch%2006.jpg

I'm leaning towards 5 or 6...

[Tiare]

Nr 4...or maybe 6, but not 5!

But no 4 has more "punch"!

[RobertBurr]

6 is it. just the right balance

[Jerry]

Six it is !

[Count Silvio]

It is supposed to be a dog right? In my opinion the new design could easily be mistaken for something else. I think the eyebrow in 6 and 4 makes it look a little arrogant so I'd almost choose 5 but I'm leaning towards 6.

What if you replaced the flower shirt attire with Indiana Jones like attire so it would be like a "rum adventurer" instead of the touristy looking flower shirt? Rum bottles in the indy bag etc... I might sketch something up if I get bored at some point today but I wouldn't count on it.

P.S. the dog has a little overbite :p

[Tiare]

But the flower shirt and the tiki mug belongs together!:D and the hat too..

[Scottes]

I vote for 6.

[RobertBurr]

you need pineapples on the shirt

[Dood]

It is supposed to be a dog right? In my opinion the new design could easily be mistaken for something else.

My wife said the same thing. "It looks more like a horse than a dog."

To be honest, it's neither. The sketches are based on a character I used to play in a computer game (http://www.robold.com/downloads/screenShot0003.jpg). Yes...yes...total geek over here.

My primary goal with this was really to attain an evolutionary change to the avatar rather than revolutionize it, which is why the other more obviously dog sketches are pretty much ruled out.

I think the eyebrow in 6 and 4 makes it look a little arrogant so I'd almost choose 5 but I'm leaning towards 6.

Yeah, I've had a similar reaction as well, but the consensus on 2 message boards has been so overwhelmingly in favor of 6 that it really reinforced the lean in that direction. ;)

Anyway, lots of good feedback here and I really appreciate it. Thanks to everyone.

[Hank Koestner]

Number 6!!

[RobertBurr]

Dood, your avatar looks just like the picture I saw of you standing out front of the Pyrat Distillery. The hat, the shirt, rum-eating grin...

[Count Silvio]

The sketches are based on a character I used to play in a computer game (http://www.robold.com/downloads/screenShot0003.jpg). Yes...yes...total geek over here.

No shame there. I still play computer games :>.

[Lew Barrett]

They love you Dood! This has been the moist active thread ever!

OK, six. I see a dog myself, but as I love dogs, that's not a bad thing.

[Dood]

No shame there. I still play computer games :>.

Yes, but did you create your entire online persona based on one? :D

[Dood]

Again, thanks everyone for the advice. You're all really just too cool.

[RobertBurr]

Dood, where is that new avatar?