#14 -- We like the design concept, but we are concerned that there could be a trademark problem with the Office logo. Perhaps you could do something that suggests,b ut does not copy, the Microsoft Office logo elements?
#49 -- Do not abandon this concept just because we are not presently ranking it near the top. The graphical elements inside the gold box need some more thought. Also "Know How" could probably be quite a bit smaller. Our name is the main thing. You do not HAVE to include the slogan.
#41 and #50 -- We liked the "slanted" aspect of the "Office" graphic at first, but now when we look at it, it looks like a chicken with different-sized eyes! :-) That is one reason why we elevated #41. we also like the suggestion it makes of a separation of us from Microsoft, but continuing contact.
Please keep up the good work. We have our eye on you (and obviously one or two others).
#66 -- I'm not sure I buy the "strange b" thing, but I was hoping you would play with breaking up the "square of squares" and re-arranging it.
What bothers me about this one, as well as #68 , is that parts are missing. If one recognizes it as sugggestive of the Office logo, then one expects a four-square.
This is only my individual impression, however. I will ask my partners to look at it, too. I appreciate that you are coloring ourside the lines.
I can see your point, though what I wanted to express on those ones was the connection with Microsoft's solutions without arranging the square with the same layout and/or number of squares that they use, but suggesting it with colors.
Also, for example the concept behind the squares in #68 can drive recognition of the solutions towards color, the major color used in Office's identity is orange; the main color used in SQL's identity is red and gray (I got that data researching on Microsoft's website and looking at the identity of those products).
Anyways, I'll continue working towards an image that suit your needs :-)
I thought that maybe something with less gradients would look good as well... Here I have the mark that I've been using throughout the contest, with some arrangements.