Logo

Michelle,

In addition to what Bobby said:

Over the decades, given the nature and fundamental importance of a logo, some helpers here (including some with the most profound skills within, and knowledge of, the very diverse aspects of graphic design) have suggested to start with simple/regular vector paths in black and white, maybe based on sketches on a piece of paper, in order to build the strongest possible concept which can then be elaborated by developing optimized versions of suitable appearances for any of the vast number of possible end uses and procduction methods at any size and complexity, all versions still being immediately recognized as one and the same logo, and all versions.

Further in terms of colour, it has been suggested to proceed from black/white (depending on background) to solid colour(s) maybe including limited versions to fit certain production methods, and thence to colour transitions.

Even further in terms of colour, if you are using it for both (CMYK) print and web/screen use, in order to consistent colours throughout, it has been suggested to first create the artwork/logo in CMYK Color Mode (starting in that mode to prevent your being haunted by conversion induced issues), because there is a wide range of alluring RGB colours that will wither when converted to CMYK; then you can create a matching RGB version for web/screen use, or work more freely and daringly and extend the colour range.

Further with regard to raster formats in connexion with web/screen use, it has been suggested to use a non lossy format that optimizes crispness.

Even further with regard to resolution issues for web/screen use, it has been suggested to consider the use of the vector format SVG if applicable, or double the resolution one or more times (some screens have 288 PPI, and the number may rise as everything does).

Further with regard to ensuring the safe and satisfactory preservation of the logo artwork throughout transfer/conversion/simplification into other intermediary/final representations/applications/production methods, it has been suggested to stick to simple/regular paths rather than often easier constructs that may fail in connexion with such transfer/conversion/simplification, at least as far as relevant.

Obviously, there is more to say including more detailed suggestions.

And equally obviously, some/much (but not all) of what is mentioned is clearly irrelevant if you can rule out some or most of the possible uses/methods.

At a first glance, your considerations seem to correspond to some of the later steps mentioned above; you may ask yourself the question whether the logo is satisfactory (and consistent) if you go backwards through the suggestions, maybe as far as to the simplest form.

Maybe you could post a sketch or some screenshots?

I'm thinking of a clipping mask from what you describe, but I am not sure.