Early Logo Concepts - House of Virtue

[Corpse Wyrm 8]

I started some preliminary design work today on the title logo of my first game, "House of Virtue." I think I have the basic idea of what I want, at least when it comes to the general shape.

 

1.

2.

3.

4.

 

The "of" seems to be giving me the most trouble; I'm not certain which iterationI like best, although I'm leaning towards #1. I haven't settled on a color pallet for the title screen yet, so I was just trying out a few combinations at the moment to give me an idea, but I'd be happy to hear thoughts on that as well. 

 

Just for some basic background, in case it is helpful: "House of Virtue" is going to be a gothic survival/puzzle horror game, with some heavy Puritan overtones. (Think Nathaniel Hawthorne.)

[LakiLarian 3]

Always amazing how much difference color and one little font change can do to the tone.

 

I want to start by saying that #3 is strikingly Irish feeling to me, having been around as much celtic art as I have, because of the "of" font and the green. Celtic doesn't quite sound like the theme you're going for though  .

 

My personal favorite is #1. It is bold, but it has the cursive "of" that definitely recalls the era and theme you mentioned. The "of" in #2 is too understated, and #4 reminds me more of a product label, possibly for a fine liquor.

I think the title shape is creative and eye-catching, and totally brings to mind a sign hanging from the eves of a gothic inn. I am a little concerned that the "of" is so light grey that it will disappear at times, depending on the use and background.

 

Overall, really cool design! Love that fancy filigree bit to the left of the H. It might even call for a heavier element on the right to balance it out, but it looks very nice left-justified on the page (like the four are right now).

[Corpse Wyrm 8]

Ah, I didn't even think of the Celtic connection! Thank you for pointing that out to me. #3 and #4 were just quick color tests, so I obviously wasn't thinking.

 

So far, #1 has come out the unanimous victor, so it seems to be the way I'm going to lean. Definitely going to make sure it won't disappear in the final; will likely change around the transparency and color based on the title screen's background.  I'll certainly keep an eye out for the balance in the final as well.

 

Thank you very much for your critique! It's been very helpful.

[LakiLarian 3]

I'm glad!

 

Quick question; did you hand-draw any of the text, or are they all from a font-type presets in Photoshop/Word/etc.. (Particularly the capital H and its filigree)?

[Corpse Wyrm 8]

Not font presets, found them on DAFonts. (Pomerole and Lightfoot Shadowed, but I'm not sure ifava Lightfoot is available there anymore. I'm an obsessive font collector.) They're also modified as well, but I didn't hand-draw them. The filigree is also a modified preset of actually the Pomerole font, which is pretty snazzy.