Beresford Bushmaster DAC

[StanleyB]

There seems to be a difference of opinion on a few things. So let's tackle them one by one, with me pointing out the area of interests that I need resolved.

OK, I'll start off with the power, on|off and power symbol, and let's add to that headphone, phone, the headphone symbol. Which one can we agree to as a majority? I suggest using power and headphone. It keeps in line with having only text, instead of mixing text with symbols. It also makes a far clearer statement of what it does or is for. I base my opinion on the years of answering email questions that many would find to be obvious from the beginning.

Next is the logo and the font for the model name. Can I assume that most of you agree that the logo and the model name should be the same? Keep in mind that the font used in the logo should have been the same as on the Caiman. I am not sure that the word Bushmaster would look nice in the logo font. I still prefer using the same font and style that I used in the word Caiman on the Caiman DAC.

Again on the name Bushmaster, and the underlying text: would it be better to just put Bushmaster DAC, and leave out any text underneath that?

I prefer to use optical and coax to indicate what exactly they are for. I have to deal with people who don't even speak English and often don't quite know what something means. And then you have the first time buyers who are taking their first venture into owning a DAC. They too can feel lost with abbreviations and symbols that they are not familiar with.

Then there is the question of the numbers that indicate which input is active. Leaving them out could cause confusion when trying to work out which input is actually connected up and in operation.

[seoirse2002]

Hi Werner,
Well said!!
My wife has the same problem(if it is a problem,but not to me) and has always got into trouble and not been liked for saying exactly what she thinks.I used to think it was because english was not her first language,so her english was very direct,but that is not the case...that is just the way she is.She admits herself that she has no "zip on her mouth" and although she is just 160cm,I have seen very tall people quivering when she says what she feels.. there is nothing wrong with being honest although it seems to be frowned on a lot here,(in this country)and upsets or insults people,or hurts their feelings.That is one of the reasons the country is in the state it is....although there are a lot of good honest genuine people in government,there are many lying,dishonest,greedy,crawthumping,selfserving,so called do-gooders also in government....worst of all,we voted them in!!!
Sorry to everyone for going a bit off topic,but myself,and Im sure, many AOSers here have had no part in contributing to the current economic crisis....but with all the cuts,price rises,pension and pay freezes and other money grabbing tactics going on, we are the ones paying for it...
Its a wonder anyone can operate a business sucessfully in this day and age.
Stans dac looks good and affordable for the price,and I will be watching the reviews with interest.

[Labarum]

. . . I have to deal with people who don't even speak English and often don't quite know what something means. And then you have the first time buyers who are taking their first venture into owning a DAC. They too can feel lost with abbreviations and symbols that they are not familiar with.
. . .

None of us have your feel for what works in general with your customers, Stan, so we can only offer a very personal opinion.

I just looked at the Caiman panel, and it is cleaner



Numbers above and description below seems to work.

"Caiman" is better in that italic script.

Do we have any typographers on the forum? If I knew what the fonts used are called I know folk I could ask for sensible alternatives.

Are you wedded to the (Beresford) font?

Beresford Caiman might work well on the left, leaving the right clear, and then either DAC in the same bold italic or

Digital Analogue Converter in a smaller and less bold italic font.

[StanleyB]

Manufacturers keep their logo away from the model number or model name. So Beresford Bushmaster would be very odd.

[MartinT]

Can I assume that most of you agree that the logo and the model name should be the same?

No, I don't agree. Using the same font as in the logo (which is often a customised design in the commercial world) violates the rule that the corporate logo is always sacrosanct. I had lots of marketing training when I was with both NEC and Xerox and both those companies came down on anyone misusing the logo in any manner like a ton of bricks. Horrible instances of the 'X' logo in Xerox being used as the first letter in the distributor's name, or the stylised font in 'NEC' being used for other words.

So I think that the 'Beresford' logo and 'Bushmaster DAC' text are correctly shown by Stan in different fonts.

[Jamtoast]

Looks fantastic Stan.

Showed the pics to a graphic designer friend of mine. His comments were:

• the reason the silver looks better/is peoples preference is due to less contrast between the silver aluminium and black text. The black version would look better (more professional, cooler, stealthier...) if the text was an off white grey or grey-silver to make the contrast less stark.
• the large 'Bushmaster' needs a strict straightedged font (not rounded - this steals from the 'gravitas' of the name ) - Helvectica or similar - and possibly all caps and a bit smaller?
• the horizontal input labels also look much better and more 'pro'

If you doubt the power of font choice see http://www.comicsanscriminal.com/.

All just ideas to play with. Overall I (and my friend) think it looks great. Can't wait to get my mitts on one.

Cheers
Graham

[Werner Berghofer]

Martin,

Using the same font as in the logo (which is often a customised design in the commercial world) violates the rule that the corporate logo is always sacrosanct.

I wholeheartedly agree. Never ever must the type or model description "Bushmaster" use the same font as the brand name "Beresford".

Werner.

[Gazjam]

None of us have your feel for what works in general with your customers, Stan, so we can only offer a very personal opinion.

I just looked at the Caiman panel, and it is cleaner



Numbers above and description below seems to work.

"Caiman" is better in that italic script.

Do we have any typographers on the forum? If I knew what the fonts used are called I know folk I could ask for sensible alternatives.

Are you wedded to the (Beresford) font?

Beresford Caiman might work well on the left, leaving the right clear, and then either DAC in the same bold italic or

Digital Analogue Converter in a smaller and less bold italic font.

Nice lettering and layout that

[DaveK]

Nice lettering and layout that

Yes I agree - the guy who did that did a good job
Dave.

[Werner Berghofer]

Stan,

But "input" should be "select".

what about using source instead?

Werner.