Objects for Letters

[Guest]

First, Let me say that I'm a hobbyist in grapics and I've been interested in symbols, logos, and fonts/letter forms for a long time, among other things. I've learned a thing or two about logo's and wordmarks. And I'm trying to advise a friend about the "symbol" she wants to use for her start up business. The first letter (T) of the word as been dropped and in it's place is a piece of art that is shaped somewhat like a T. And I'm not talking about two hair combs arranged to make a T. The graphic itself is fairly complex and is that of a stylized bird. I don't like it myself for a couple of reasons. But, she likes it because she made it, if you know what I mean. Every once and a while, I will see where a letter in a word has been used to create an object. I saw one such example where the O was used to make a globe for a lantern, and thought this was done well. I was wondering if there were any excepted rules on doing this? Do any of you do this? What about laying a symbol on top of a letter? Any comments?

[Billy Pickett]

Used correctly, symbolism is a powerful tool that can communicate information much more effectively than sign verbiage. However, in graphic design these days - anything goes. ...Right or wrong.

That is EXCEPT "client art". While a clients input is vital for thematic, graphic determinations, They are not sign designers. IMHO, Any designer who accepts and uses the design work of an amateur, is an amateur. ...Like they say, "Who's the professional here?"

Today, any designer and/or sign maker can literally do anything they desire, and over 99 percent of the public will NEVER question it. Indeed, the only people who have any idea that a graphic is become "educated" in graphic design. And sadly, this does not include the greater mass of contemporary sign makers. (Readers of this fine forum excluded, of course!)