Tim, Thanks for the submissions. Your designs are unique, and there are parts of this concept I'd really like to experiment with. Let me try to tackle each of the elements that stand out to me and see what you think from there: Color: I really like how you treated Analytics (and its graphic) in a separate color than the In Focus. Sigma Graphic: I do use standard deviations in my analyses, however I'm not sure that my customers would make the connection (I would definitely be asked what the O with the line on top means). I could consider the sigma further, but there may be more recognizable math symbols (the square root being one of my personal favorites) that are more easily recognized by the layman. Error Bars: Definitely over the heads of my customer, therefore I'll probably put #25 in the "Not Interested" bin only because the combination of the sigma and the error bars isn't something you should spend more time on. Please don't take any offense. Chart inside the sigma: Easily recognizable with small real estate needs. Great. Possible to do a chart inside a square root symbol or other easily recognized symbol? White on Purple / Purple on White: #23 and #24 both look good, but I like #23 better. Font: With In Focus as a separate color in a sans-serif font, it reminds me of InFocus Projectors. I keep saying that I'm open minded, but maybe I'm not when it comes to (pun alert) grotesque fonts.
Sorry such a long comment, but some of the elements (multiple colors of words, chart within math symbol, white graphic on colored background) are all new good things to this contest thus far. I hope that you can decipher all of this, and I look forward to seeing some additional designs from you.
This is fantastic feedback, and much appreciated. It definitely helps me figure out a direction, and get a better understanding of your customers. Great point about the Sigma and the control limits not being known to the customer group. I'm looking forward to working these up. And no worries about the "not interested" bin. It's actually good feedback in and of itself, and lets us know to stop going in that direction. We've all had plenty of them.
Tim, You've given me a lot to think about. That's great. I'm going to have a tough time deciding between them all, and I may just keep them grouped together in the rankings (so don't feel bad if I lump them all together in the middle of the rankings). I don't have a lot of time to rank tonight and tomorrow, so on Sunday I'll probably get more critical and promote the ones I like more and demote the ones I like less.
For now, I think I'll "not interest" #47 and #33 because I like others a lot more. I like the color of #44 over #42, but I think that #42 has a height difference I think (I'm not positive) that I prefer.
Really, my tough decision is which of the following four I like the most -- #41, #42, #43, or #44. One of those four and #48 are top contenders. Thanks again for the hard work. Phil
Thanks again for the feedback, very helpful. I actually have some more, but they are similar so I wanted to see which ones you liked. I can definitely change some spacing, sizes and fonts of course as things narrow down.
Hello, A different layout type. As I mentioned before, please don't worry about sending anything to the "not interested" bin. I know I sent a lot, just had a lot of ideas I wanted to show you.
I just referenced you in the "Content Discussion" section, and wanted to make sure you had a chance to read it. Thanks again for all of your hard work.
I don't know if I like #69 or #70 better (both are excellent). I think I like the axis lines. I know I like the In Focus as the same color (as in #70). I didn't like the tic marks (the parallel lines) in #71 or #72 that much.
Hello, Thanks for the feedback. Here is #69 with both words "In Focus" the same color.
If you like this one better, please don't think twice of putting the two color "In Focus" in the not interested pile. The same goes for any of the other minor tweaks I make to a certain design, it's no bother at all.
There was one other thing I wanted to show you as well. The word "in" with a lower case "i". Just an idea to make Analytics and Focus tied together a bit more.
If you would like to see any of the elements in one design used in another, such as the tic marks used on the column chart applied to the y axis of the trend chart, please don't hesitate to let me know. .
Hello, The trend line is a little thicker and centered vertically in the magnifying glass. The fonts are a little bigger and the magnifying glass handle is darker.
Tim, I think we're at the point that it is getting hard for me to see what's changed from one to the next, so thanks for the descriptions. I have to look at the versions with the column charts tomorrow with fresh eyes.
With #78 and #87, I like the thinner white line inside the magnifying glass of #78, but I like the darker In Focus of #87. Until I read your description, I hadn't realized that the magnifying glass handle also changed color (use your best judgment on which color handle would look best). On the tiniest of small details, the y on #78 perfectly falls in the space between In and Focus. On #87, the In Focus is just a little bit further right of that, and for some reason it loses a little something. I would appreciate a revision that combines the best of these two.
One last request. On #79, since the handle of the magnifying glass is defining the lower border of the graphic, it gives a little room underneath the text. Could you put an LLC right justified (under the cus of Focus). Don't know if it would look better with same size font or a little smaller. Please don't run a dozen iterations of this, I just want to know if the LLC does anything dramatic to the look of the text-on-one-line scenarios.
Sorry about all the variations today. If I have any more ideas I'll try to combine them into one or two instead of a separate one for each, though I think I've got the keys on the different ideas covered now.
Thank you very much, again, for the feedback. I'll do one that combines the best of #78 and #87. I know exactly what you mean about the y position. I'll also do one LLC on #79.
This is #79 with the LLC added. A couple of other options are to make it even smaller of course, and also to flip the LLC on it's side and have it come after the "s" in focus. It would be the same height as the "s".
1. Does #89 have the darker In Focus or the lighter one? Because it's smaller, it's harder to tell. If it is the lighter one, could you make the darker one (This minute I like #89 over #88, sometimes the opposite).
2. I get the sense that both #88 and #89 would have value in my company. For example, as a footer, the shorter / longer one is better, for a sign the more square one may be better. What would be the additional charge for me to own both?
3. In addition to some of the other things listed in the site FAQ (black & white design, design for dark background), I would also like a favicon. What would you charge for this?
4. There are still some minor tweaks that I'd like, (i.e. try the turning LLC on its side as you referenced above). Would you still be willing to do some tweaks for me over the last three days of the contest, even if I ended it now?
As you can see, assuming that I like all your answers above, I think I'm wasting other designer's time by allowing them to still submit entries. I think it is only fair to close the contest ASAP. Congratulations.
If you would prefer to not discuss pricing in this forum, and assuming it is permitted in the rules to have e-mail contact, you may also e-mail me at phil@analyticsinfocus.com
Thank you for the feedback. I wanted to mention that you can send me a Private Message here which works very well. We can't send one to the contest holder until he or she writes to us first. I'm happy to answer your questions.
#89 and #89 are actually the same color. I think #89 looks a little lighter becasue the font is smaller and the line is thinner. I can certainly darken that up.
Once the contest goes into judging mode, the person who holds first place can continue to submit changes until the Contest Holder has exactly what they want.