Chabad Palo AltoLogo Design Contest

Hi again!

When ever you're ready we can wrap up this logo project. No matter what option you choose, final files will include: color version, monochromatic/black version, and negative space/white version. If you want I can include that horizontal version as well, like on #80! Logo source files can be ready few hours after you choose final design!

Bojan

...here's one more proportional tweak on design #74! Thank you!

Bojan

...and here's one more proportional tweak!

Bojan

...and here's one more proportional modification!

...requested version, with extended tree trunk.

Sure thing,...give me a sec! Be back soon!

Hi Bojan,
Can you extend the trunk of the tree in this one so that it goes a bit more deeply into the orange outline. I'd like to see how that looks. Thanks!

...maybe the best thing here would be to sleep on this, and clear your head from it. When you come back to it, first design that draws your attention is your new logo.

This is method used, when there's close call between two designs, and is related to brand psychology.

I personaly always prefer cleaner/simpler designs like this one,...from branding point of view it is always better. ...and open space in the flame is not a bad thing,...on contrary, it gives unique look to design composition, memorable and recognizable from far away.
You have a point there, about details on #92, that might be too distracting from CHABAD's symbolic connection with fire tree. If we put in the head, or that smaller flame, it works as separate graphic element and draws attention, or shifts the focus,...it is good thing we've excluded those options. Additional tree branches on #92 are interesting and well visually connected with the rest of the logo, but when it comes to this argument of yours (about connection between CHABAD and fire tree), it maybe lacks harmony and balanced visual flow within the logo,...but these are finesses.

Hope this was helpful!

Bojan

Any suggestions?

On the one hand I'm concerned that this logo has too much negative space/looks empty. On the hand, anytime we try putting anything in (head, flame, branches) I find that at first glance my attention is immediately drawn towards that insert instead of seeing CHABAD and a tree and flame lifting up from it.

Let me try to offer more detailed analysis. #74 is cleaner/simple, more contemporary, maybe even more abstract design with more symbolism in it, as you've described it nicely in one of your comments. On the other hand, this design is more obvious, with slightly more detail, and some of that symbolism lost,...but still one well balance logo.

To be completly honest, the more I look at it, I actually find it harder to decide! :) I know this is not very helpful with your dillema, but both designs look very good, and I guess it comes to your personal feeling about it. Again, what ever you choose, you'll get high quality visual identity!

Now when they are put side by side, I'm also kinda leaning towards this design! You wont make mistake if you go with it!

I'm getting a lot of positive feedback about this one. What is your professional opinion?

Ok, I've uploaded few modifications. Adding more color on "A"s might not be good idea,...too much unnecessary detail, that makes main text in the logo hard to read.
This i nice, clean design with great symbolism, but if you want alternative, #92 might be interesting choice! Let me know what you think!

Bojan

Hi!

Let me see what can be done! Be back soon!

Bojan

Also, I'm thinking that the tree looks a little empty. Is there a little something that you could put in to give out a fuller appearance like a little branch our some texture

Ok, I would like to keep this original colour combo! In terms of design, can you ouline and fill in the triangle part of both letter As in chabad with the same orange of the flame . I would like to see how that would look.

Desaturated green/orange!

Light blue/orange!

Dark blue/orange combo!

Maroon/orange combo!

Khaki/orange combo!

Hi again!

Here are few color alternatives, just in order to explore all options. This is dark brown!

I agree with everything you've said here,...and having symbolism appearing on so many levels is a great thing for a logo,...it is conversation starter and just looking at the logo one can have pretty good idea, what your work is all about!

I personally really like how this brown fits with orange flame, but we can explore few more colors, just to be sure this is the right one,...I agree it is better than green, so we'll explore further. I'll be back soon with other color alternatives!

I like this logo very much!
1. I see a tree and I see a fire and it doesn't look odd like some burning tree. With the orange outline, I see a white tree popping out at me.
2. The fire is warm and vibrant. The two strokes make me think of two people holding hands and dancing.
3. The fire hints at the letter M which holds significance because an important part of our organization is all about encouraging Mitzvot (good deeds)
4. The bark of the tree looks like a person throwing hands up in air with enthusiasm.
5. centering the tree above chabad gives the image that chabad is at the root of these ideals .

I will stop reading into it :)

My main thing Im debating over is color. I like the orange. The brown flows nicely but does it give an old feel? the green is a nice color but is the contrast of the green and orange jarring?

Just a quick note here! If you have dillema about centralized, or this, horizontal layout, they are both deliverable since it is same design. I suggest ussing centralized version as basic one, and this horizontal only for some printing and web applications, when format requires it!

And her's horizontal layout in brown/orange,...dark green/orange on #81!

Here are requested color modifications,...involving third color into the mix is ok, but of you want to maintain professional look, it is advisable to stick to two colors,...it is also more cost effective when it comes to printing!

Sure thing,...be back soon with modifications!

Can I see how this logo would look with the word Chabad a dark green. Also, can I see how it would look with the tree on the left side if I needed to fit the logo into a small space.

Yes, proportions between #41 and #74 are different,...#74 has just a bit smaller tree, and I would advise it to go with #74, since it has slightly better proportion,...but it is up to you, of course!

I'm personaly very satisfied how this design turned out,...thank you for great feedback and assistance in creating it!

Bojan

I agree word "CHABAD" makes a good statement and the clan sleek logo convey that impression that I was going for. #41 , #74 are wonderful. It seems that #41 is a bit bigger than#74. Are the proportions between picture and lettering different?

I agree! Word "CHABAD" in the logo is quite enough indication, what this logo is all about,...designs #41 and #74 look really nice and clean!

I think the menorah compromises the tree look so maybe better without the menorah

I did some proportional tweaks on this clean design,...you also have one variation with subtle shine effect on #75, emphasizing the flame, and the look of negative space version on #76,...all versions are deliverable, for different printing applications and web use.

This is very simple/clean, proportionaly well balanced and contemporary looking design,...probably the best of all my design concepts. Designs with chabad menorah incorporated are interesting, but graphic representation of menorah might be a bit too "heavy" on overall logo appearance, woth too much details,...there is a huge word CHABAD in the logo, so there's no need for additionad graphic representation that will add to complexity of design. Let me know what you think!

Bojan

...version with candles burning!

Hi again!

Here's another update, with more dynamic chabad menorah. Let me know what you think.

Had to do it before closing the studio for today! :) ...now I'm out! Cheers!

Well, this is something new I've just learned,...have to get back to you with this tomorrow! Thanks!

diagnol branches may also keep the logo looking like a treee

thank you! I'm looking for the chabad menorah. It has diagnol branches (as opposed to rounded)

I've made menorah version after all, so you can check it out and decide which direction to take! Talk to you tomorrow!

Bojan

I can't open first link for some reason, but I think I know what you have in mind,...might be a bit too much detail, with menorah, but I'll try it out!

It is late night at my part of the worls, so for these modifications, I'll get back to you within next 12 hours! Thank you for great feedback and cooperation so far,...I personaly really like how this is developing! Talk to you tomorrow with updates!

Best,
Bojan

...one more version of design with removed ball and Star of David!

...here's an update with additional fire emphasizing element!

menorah in the larger tree https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=4e6348d249&view=fimg&th=1507d5546dcb8e17&attid=0.1&disp=inline&realattid=f_ifx5r26s0&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9yyva2ZJUVG5THJMIFgOkp0FwP6rzue_Hv8xncSkqv56vUOSFPWDYS2NF39Ih2V7NZXg3ZfUGNfpckNsy4uOK8-AfM9CUF_f2PWWNxtBS4a5-J6KQenkhxfgg&ats=1445211755304&rm=1507d5546dcb8e17&zw&sz=w1290-h763

you may need to use the larger fire/tree for a menorah addition

I made this very crude sketch of a menorah (universal Jewish symbol that I like) in the tree. I'm envisioning the tree branches being the eight branches of the menorah. However, I want it to first and foremost keep it's look of a fire/tree, I also want it to look sleek and contemporary. If the menorah would compromise that , I probably wouldn't want it. Howevhttps://gm1.ggpht.com/vJJCwiYx7eDGiRNT_El4EQYeleKqK4Uu6fZStANtElrJC2VRGSrXmK6Kntoj_STZOaA2vWNRAuBALyBQ10vycORZTSNL1Lst1--j9AeAlJlI7jHn9e6anxHpgF7c7eRWjn9hb6iShFoJJWGLFc-j_b8b5oUNxAzBubUHb6mpyqpQs5-FzH_qW5XncEg1cpb4UiHMGwBIesA4gJVADex5dsBPxaRmkmslZlW43a6TzmvEsqKRbYvYc2lrTcfYe_Hd6f_TrtXqKfS9gThmrBa6vVz9lh4d6_d12T8nlYHAqnjpI8pAnQzcW_3nf8qeaUC6XwMaC8ItCxjGrgjHB4nGY5RwmtJbb4o8VTOEVQw8hTuD11fIvz9PAzprQw60hLMAbLEE0nHgWMvtMGGZ6VFYUxT6akCsWr4PKvpNXuxui1iBTmuQPkX-m9jrhpIuOqQnaR-dtRfnULySOjhumYU38WdHO2zuTRkiPPHWwXKWEUFNEk1eiiWWUxLVZN1hnZEJ154wUDXRNeWS3MnnJJlY7suPsBncpTcwba_nFN6gAI_Fl-V0z4BjLrQvJMauwNhaNYBp0bzGdyXBMprOPmI5LeJ0Lvzz2iyymwTuZPNHoIDWLr1yv4g2Z4Oll-LWhKbCU4hVv4pJ85EpDFLLvCq7tiaPKO50HrK4eSiwTp_L7y6d=w1290-h763-l75-ft

...let me see if I can offer some modifications!

...we can place burning, focal element, like on #40!? Be back soon with modification!

That's ok,...I'm just exploring options, so we can get the best solution!

i really like how this looks as a logo. But I don't want the magen david symbol and the ball on bottom makes it look less like a tree fire. It is a cool look though

like!
does the fire look empty?

i think i like the fading out lines in #45

...kinda like this framed, compact design,...it gives the whole thing more stability and trust! Thoughts!? Thanks!

Bojan

Hi again!

Here's updated version with smaller tree, and another version with more geometric appearance on #46!

I like it. I'm wondering how it would look if the flame/tree was a bit smaller

...one more compact layout!

...and here's one compact layout, with its negative space version presented on entry #42,...logo needs to work well in both versions, for different pronting applications and web use! Let me know your thoughts! Thank you!

Bojan

...and alternative option, with enhanced flame segment!

Here's requested modified version, w/o the head part...

Hi!

Glad to hear it! I'll be back soon with few modifications!

Bojan

I like this one very much, just without the head!

...one more design in line with concept described on #33. I would suggest centralized layout over horizontal one,...it appears stronger, more trustworthy!

Hi!

This concept might be symbolicaly interesting to you,...it basicaly means "our tree is growing/burning bright/developing/taking "food" from the same place"! Thought it might have a lot os symbolic sense and it looks clean, contemporary and professional! Any thoughts/suggestions!? Thank you!

Regards,
Bojan