Help me pick a Logo - Restoration & Custom shop

Yes, when i started these they werent intended to ever be logo art. The final candidates will be stripped down to just line art for the logo

 

"Several people have said this, but, chrome fins, as my handle, was never created to promote the shop. Thhat's just been my handle for years. The shop title will read chrome fins restoration. Or chrome fins restoration and customs...something like that... unless you guys wanwant to suggest other shop names... "

I would start over and get a new shop name and logo. Chrome Fins is too dated and limiting. Plus it suggests a chrome plating shop, an after market "chrome goodies" store or even a store that has something to do with fishing. Something like the (already shown) "Backstreet Kustom" name and logo would work. Your design and logo must immediately "grab you" and tell : "Restorations and Customization are all that we do." Perhaps SIMPLE names like:
ROD & CUSTOM RESTORATION; CUSTOM RODS AND RESTORATION.

 

The logo should reflect a car project that sets you apart from others,
or maybe is easily recognizable to those in your area.
What about showing us some of the cars you've done that you are proud of.
TP

 

I work as a graphic designer for NAPA. I also do my freelance work under my business name, Graphic’s Remedy. Here are some of my suggestions…

• The Company Name: While I don’t think Chrome Fins is the best name for a restoration shop, I think it can work and function. It does brand you to a specific era of car, and not the wider scope you wish to establish in the rod & custom restoration field. However, I still think classic cars when I hear the name Chrome Fins. (general public may not though) Example, GraveYard Carz on TV, their name doesn’t associate them with Mopar cars, but you still get the idea that they are restoring cars “from the dead”. Something to you should consider before moving forward…

• Do lots of mock-ups… Until you come up with that one design you feel is “That’s It”. Then start getting the opinions of others. Make small alterations of the one design. If no one else but you is feeling the design is right, then back to the drawing board. (This is where you need thick skin.) Between mock-up and color variations, I probably had near 100 on the ATP logo.

• After you get your main design, layout your design in different colors. I would suggest finalizing on a 1 color, 2 colors, and full color design. (Note: In some printing black is considered a color) Think about all of the different ways you may possibly will use it in the future: signage, shop merchandise, business cards, catalogs, advertisements, vehicle graphics... this way their will be a continuity to all of the designs, like the Carlyle Logo below. You may be a small shop now, but a little work now and you won’t have to redo your branding later when you expand. By then you will be so busy you’ll have to pay someone else to do it.

• Once your design is done, recreate it on the computer in vector format (or pay someone if you can’t). Vector format will allow you to use it in many ways, where raster (flatten photo/drawing) format will have limitations.


Name and brand identity can be just as important as the service and quality of your work. By your drawings, you seem to have the talent to create a good looking and functional design for your shop.

 

Think simplicity.

Take the Playboy bunny logo. A bunny has nothing to do with nude women, but at one time, you could mail a letter to the Playboy offices in Chicago and all you had to put on the envelope was the bunny head.

Keep it simple and it will stick. Brand identification.

Also, a logo wouldn't be a picture. It's the name or symbol of the company. Like: GULF, EXXON, PENNZOIL, LUCAS, H.A.M.B.

With a shop name like Chrome Fins, I'd just have a simple side profile of a Caddy fin with "Chrome Fin" inset in the open area of the fin.

 

We need some color man!!!!!

 

Voted for #4, but no fins?

 

When I saw the name my first thought was finned engine compartment accouterments. I like the original set of drawings first, with no. 4 having a slight edge on no 3.

What about a stylized finned valve cover or air cleaner as part of the logo?

 

#4, then #2. but I agree with back to the drawing board for something with fins. I like the caddy idea

 

I like the 2nd group simply because it has a 57 Chevy Nomad(chrome fins), but I love #4 from the 1st group also. Have you considered 3 different cars to show 1. rods, 2. Customs, and 3. 57 Chevy or 59 Caddy to show restorations. That way the customer gets it that you can do it all. Just a thought. Good luck in your venture.

 

Indy 47 caddy. Thank you for all the info

 

Cleaning out old thread subscriptions... Just curious to see what you developed with your shop name / logo....