Daily SurgeLogo Design Contest

Hi, if you'd like to see any changes, please let me know :)

Hi Illumina! I'm so glad you joined my logo contest. I love your work....obviously. I put #141 in 1st place off the bat :-) I also love the retro font you used for #135 and some of the other entries.

Here's my feedback:

Entry #141 - Love your concept of boxing the logo in with a surge of voltage :-) I think the font you used for "Daily" is cool but part of the D and Y are being blocked by the word "Surge" - perhaps you can find a different serif font that resembles the one currently used but doesn't have any part of the word cut off. Love the rest of this one. Colors - can you play around with some other colors for this logo? I've been really digging the orange and pink of http://buzzfeed.com/politics - together or separate. Any other loud tabloid colors you think might look cool are welcome too!

Entry #135 - I personally think this is the coolest font in the entire competition! I am just wondering if its too retro / vintage for the theme of this website. (still my personal fav aside from the contest). Can you think of any way to make this feel tabloid and Web 2.0 at the same time?

Here are some variations on #135 I'd like to see:

- 1 option where the white outline is removed and the pink outline is changed to black so you can read the font easier. Also change the word "Daily" from blue to pink (also pls change the pink & orange to exactly match the ones on the buzzfeed link I provided above)

- 1 option where maybe there's no outline?

- 1 option where the word "Daily" is made smaller and placed on top of the word "Surge" so the eye focused more on "Surge" (like the reference logo I upload for Daily Star)

- 1 option that looks similar to the Daily Ticket logo I uploaded as a reference, where the words have a background box that's a solid color with rounded edges or some other shape - just not a ticket LOL

Other ideas - I really loved your initial designs right off the bat, and I'm excited to work with you. Hope my comments aren't too long. I just want to give you really good feedback so we take this in a winning direction :-) I would really like to see someone try something like the Danner logo I uploaded to the contest brief. Lastly, maybe a really simply clean Tabloid logo that isn't flashy like all the other entries. The sky is the limit. Can't wait to see your next round of ideas!

For #135 i think I got all the changes, and uploaded a couple more variations. #141 now has the "DAILY" font changed, and the colors too :)

Wow! So impressive :) You work fast! For #141 I really do like the old-school news headline font-type you originally used. I notice you changed that to a sans serif in your latest versions. I'd really like to see some options with a font more similar to the original one you used for Daily, but that don't get cut off :-)

What other color combos do you recommend? I like what you did with the orange/pink. I'd like to see what YOU think is best too!

Also loving #159 and #160 - can I see #159 with the black outline a lot thinner? Its kind of hard to read the words on it with the black so thick. Something that's a nice balance between #159 and #160 - just enough to make the words pop but not enough to make it look distracting?

Loving the layout of #154 and #155 - same comments as directly above for #159 and #160. The voltage is a BRILLIANT touch!! Its your trademark :)

The only thing you missed from my earlier round of comments was: an option that looks similar to the Daily Ticket logo I uploaded as a reference, where the words have a background box that's a solid color with rounded edges or some other shape - just not a ticket LOL

Your entries have me really excited. FYI - please feel free to try any other color combos that YOU think would achieve that tabloid 2.0 look. I'm fixating on a few color themes, but I'm not the expert on this... you are! thanks!

I uploaded a few variations. Quite honestly, as far as tabloid colors go, you seem to be very limited. the vast majority use red or orange. Your best bet would be the orange and pink, orange and black, orange and grey... or same but with pink instead of orange. I have to crash for the night, but I'll upload some orange/pink/grey/black combinations of the retro one in the morning.

Illumina, your designs are so amazing! And yes, I know I am limited with the tabloid colors. I am trying so hard to stay away from red and all orange logos because you are right - the vast majority of them are those colors. If you have ANY other color combo recommendations I'm all ears! At this point in the contest I am more focused on getting the right design concepts nailed down. We can change the colors a million different ways in the next phase!

Entry #162 - let's try a few variations of this design:

1. One in all italics (like "Surge" in Entry #228)

2. One where you remove the box line and volt around the words and instead run a volt through the entire word "Surge" (like what you did in the "R" for #228 but throughout more or all of the word instead of one letter). I was going to ask you to do this anyway, and you came up with the idea yourself! One of my competing sights did this well in the word "Revolt" for their log for http://www.truthrevolt.org/

3. Take the above design you create for 2. and invert the colors so the logo is white and the volt and background is pink (like Entry #228) Very cool looking!

Entry #220 - I really dig this one! I keep discarding all the options you've posted with the black outline only because they make the words a bit hard to read. Maybe this just needs a very slight dropshadow instead to make the word "Surge" pop a little? Subtle like the guy did on Entry #214 but even a bit more subtle.

Also, the word daily looks WAY better in italics (Another change I was going to ask for but you beat me to it!). I see that you had to make the letters closer together to make it fit in the spot. Would it have more space if only the "D" was capitalized?

Entry #172 - Love this inverted look again! Maybe a box would look cleaner than the slanted shape? That's the only reason its down farther in the rankings. Also would like to see this in pink and white

Entry #155 - This is one of my favorites too. Another designer is copying you here with Entry #235. I think her font is easier to read though. That's the only reason I placed it higher than yours. It also reminds me more of the Danner logo that I uploaded to the contest brief. FYI - I LOVE the volt and want to absolutely keep that! Do you have any other fonts we can try this in more like Danner or Entry #235?

I would also like to see an inverted option for like style like #172.

Entry #228 - Let's scrap the old-school serif font idea. Its just not jiving. Kept it on the short list only because i like the white on pink :)

I know I'm long winded. I just really want you to be the winner! If you have ANY other totally original ideas on top of what I'm throwing out, game on!

OK, I'll get the changes done. I have to go eat and get a few things done but I'll have revisions up by tonight :)

Here are the changes to #162
I'll start on #220 changes soon :)

You are ROCKING it!!! LOVE what you did with the volt in #288!!!! It's my favorite. I only didn't put it in first place because I don't want a bunch of designer copying you in the final hours of the open contest :-) the only minor change I would like to see with this one is a slighter thinner whisp at the end of the volt as it's going through the g and coming out the other side. The thickness makes surge a bit hard to read. ALso maybe just a little less gray shading. I do like it though.

For entry #276 - what would it look like if you removed the other 3 sides of the box but kept the volt and line only on the top?

Also, what one other option with the the above change AND put daily in an orange box and change the lettering to white?

P.S. Just saw your latest entries that came in while I was writing the above comments. Love all the new entries but think I would like to stick with the fonts of your top two entries and fine tune those!!!!!!! Unless you have a revelation about some totally different design. Hopefully that will make the design process less all over the place for you :-)

#364 - #368 are the changes :)

Hi! #288 and #364 still look exactly the same to me... Still cool though. Maybe just needs a little less drop shadow still and more thinning out of the tail end of the volt?

ah, i thinned out one side of the underline but forgot to do the other side! I'll get right on that. I'll make the shadow lighter too. It looked lighter to me, though. I use a very large HD monitor, though, so I can see the details very clearly, so that may be it.

OK, both sides are thinned out now, and I've used the very faintest of greys to drop shadow :)

Hi illumina,

We have "tested" each logo on our website design, and like entry #372 best of all the designs.

There are 2 important things I need your help in finalizing in this last day of the competition:

1. Solidifying the design and color combo for design #372

I have pulled back onto the shortlist a few of your other designs to reference. I'd like to see the following variations:

- one with DAILY in all caps like entry #220

- one with Daily in orange instead of black (same color combo as #365)

- one with the colors reversed (same color combo as #160)

- one with Daily in black and Surge in blue (Buzzfeed.com blue)

- one with a very slight orange dropshadow instead of gray (might be a terrible idea, but I just really love the pink/orange combo)...and if you don't think it already looks too awful, perhaps one with Surge in orange and the drop shadow in pink?

2. Creating an Avatar with "DS" that is inspired by the logo.

(This is why we kept Entry #324 in 3rd place - because of the "DS" avatar)

This logo is going to be used for a brand new high profile tabloid style political blog website. This means we will be posting stories daily where our blog Avatar will be very visible. Can you please provide some Avators of the letters "ds" in a box that are in line with our logo? I'd really like to see a version with the "volt" running through one or both letters like Entry #224. This will be used in conjunction with the logo but not all together? Does that make sense?

Thanks for all your excellent designs. You've really got me excited about this website now!

Here are all of the text xhanges, I think!
I have an idea for a DS icon, it will take me a little while to draw, I'll upload as soon as I'm done.

Oh, I wasnt sure which of the blues you meant from the buzzfeed site, I went with the "Geeky" blue.

#502 icon idea :)

Cool! Keep those avatar ideas coming :-)

Can you make daily black instead of orange for #497 and move it a tad to the right so it's not touching the s?

And a question - do you prefer daily in all caps or just cap D? I can't decide and want your input. Thanks!

I personally prefer the Upper case D and lower case letters. That is just my personal preference though!
A couple of icons in a shape and angled like the logo. I'm trying to figure out how to incorporate the sans serif D and the script S, I'll try and figure something for that out. I'll be doing a DS with the volt going through it soon, instead of attached to the S.

#511 incorporates the D and the S from the logo, and the voltage. I'm pretty sure this is the best way to incorporate these two elements.

I really like #511 and #512. SUPER COOL. My only concern is whether they are too complex and might not be legible when really small...

How about using the font from entry #365 and make the D a solid color with the surge from #511 going through just the D? The avatar needs to be simple, which I understand is a challenge given the complexity of the logo we're focusing on :-)

Any other avatar ideas is cool...

LOGO:

Also I like #490 - I am pushing hard to keep a hint of orange in there...but it needs to pop! I know we played around in the past with a black outline but it always ended up too thick and made the words hard to read. Can you try one last time with #490 to give it the most subtle dropshadow ever like what the designer did for #442 - looks like the dropshadow in only on the right side and center of the letters and not on the left edges. Also its barely there but enough to make the logo POP! That's what I really want :-)

Thanks for all your patience and back and forth with me. We are ALMOST there!!!!!

Before I start, I just wanted to show you #512 in small sizes.
#513 fits in a 32x32 square and #514 fits in a 16x16 square.
Just the D as an icon would work, too. As the voltage IS the surge, if you get what I mean.
I'll have the other changes up in a little bit :)

#515 - #518 is the D with just the surge, also shown in 32x32 and 16x16 :)
I'll have the black drop shadow ready in just a bit

I DO get what you mean and I love it. You nailed it with #515 and #518! Great job!! Can I see that design inverted - white avatar on color background? That might work better for the avatar... But you nailed the concept. Love it!

Looking forward to seeing the logo w/ black drop shadow. After that, I think we've pretty much exhausted our options LOL!

Here it is with just a black drop shadow, and a very fine outline with a thin black drop shadow :)

And here is the icon inverted :)

Excellent!! Thank you :-)

Question - do you prefer Daily in all caps or just capital D?

Originally, I preferred just the big D, but after thinking on it, I prefer all caps. It lends more to the tabloid feel. And it stands up better against the larger "Surge".

Thanks! I have been going back and forth myself but am leaning towards all caps. I agree.

Im earning towards the color scheme in #519. Is there any way to create a little bit of space btw the letters in DAILY? Just a hint of separation should make the word a little easier to read.

Many thanks! We are nearing the finish line!

One other thing - the new version of #519 - can you make the entire logo a little bigger - the same size as #372

It will be helpful during the judging phase to see it the size I will likely display it on the website.

Thanks!

Hi, sorry for my slow response, I just got to the computer. I'll make those changes and have them up ASAP :)

Here it is with the letters on DAILY spaced out, and about the same size as 372 :)

Hi there Illumina!

We are taking a serious look at your top two designs and making a final determination on which one is better suited for our website. Would you mind doing a quick color revision for #365 to make the daily and surge black instead of orange? Keep surge pink.

Avatar - can I see one last version with a non-italicized D? Also perhaps a slightly thinner volt? Right now, It looks a little like packman to me! LOL

Thank you! We are at the finish line

Hi!
#534 and #535 are the non-italicized D, with 2 different thickness of volts
#536 black DAILY and volt :)
If theres anything else just let me know!

Thanks. I really appreciate it!! I like the thickness of #535 best I think. Two final version (hopefully!)


#1. Can I see #535 in the following combos (1) As-Is but white and in a pink box, (2) Italicized D (pink D white volt) and (3) Italicized D in white with pink box

#2. Can you put the volt in color in a white box where its literally just the volt? just want to see one really simple avatar.

I have run out of ideas, so hopefully this is it :-)

#537 - #541 has all of the changes, I think!

#542 and #543 has the grey and black shadows :)

Hi Illumina,

I'm so sorry to keep coming back to you with so many changes. Just so you understand what my position is, I have a branding consultant AND a media partner, and need to get both of their approval and support on whatever the winning logo is. Everyone seems to like something different. Sigh...

One of my partners would like to see something a little edgier like the logo for www.theblaze.com

They like that it is very clean, classy, and incorporates the concept of the blaze into the image. They like everything about it. Everyone likes how you incorporated the "surge" into our logo - they are asking if, in these final days, you can conceptualize the idea of the "surge" in a slightly edgier but cleaner way like they did in theblaze.com logo (using our colors obviously).

Another of my partners would like to see #536 and #365 in a different font - more like theblaze.com They keep saying the current fonts reminds them of a laundry detergent brand. I don't see that - but I need to appease them. Can you provide a few different font options for this one? Also, maybe try it with the same gradiant that theblaze.com logo has? Maybe that will give it the "edge" they are looking for.

Sorry for all this. You are an extremely talented designer and I will be honored to have your winning logo on my website (whichever one it is!).

Lastly - for the logo idea #489: I'm getting complaints that it looks cool but its hard to read the word "Surge"

I took a look at your entries for the "Better Booch" competition, and was wondering if you could conceptualize something very similar for my logo to your entries #49 and #50 in that contest?

Specifically:

- Put DAILY in the same font as the word BETTER

- Create some kind of shape that goes around the top and bottom like the bolt in Better Booch (not sure if it should be a "surge" - but something edgy and cool to tie the logo in)

- One version with and one version without the surge running through the S

- Not sure whether a dropshadow or the dots or what would make our logo edgier and cleaner...

The rest is up to you!!!!!! Thanks!

#544 is something more along the lines of the blaze. I'll take a look at my better booch design and will upload something in a bit.

#545 has a gradient and #546 - #552 are different font variations. Going to figure out the script font one and get that one done asap.

OK, before I start on the script one, I thought I'd show you some script fonts. Its best to get the font right first, then manipulate it, as manipulating it can be time consuming. #553 - #559 are fonts I think could work. With #558 being the original font used. If you'd like me to continue with the original font I can do that, but if you'd prefer another, I can work with that too. Let me know!

#545 - I like the idea but this version looks a little super-hero to me? Maybe a different type of volt graphic more incorporated into the S? Or maybe a different letter altogether would be easier to work with?

#558 - Lets try the original with the better booch concept. I will dig around on the internet to see if I can find one a little cleaner. Ideally one that is very similar to the Danner boots logo font. #558 is fairly close, just a bit more scripty. I am hoping this idea will look awesome.

Thanks!!!

#560 an alternative to #545

#561 is the closest i could find to danner

Its a toughy. Use whichever of the original font and #561 you think will look best in the better booch style design.

I personally think #558 looks the cleanest

I think the S of the original font with the rest in the new font will look good. I need to eat, and it might take me a little while to do this, but I'll have something up by tonight.