Chicago Art MachineLogo Design Contest

NEW INFO: Only blueprint-based themes will be considered at this time (this is our design element, and suggested images are in the notes). Also, no "CAM" - we spell it out.

Hi all, Ok, minor correction, although the winner will get the "job" of logo redesign, the one we need the most is Chicago Art Machine, so apologies. I promise, no more changes. That said, my feedback on the above is the same.

These aren't bad! My feedback is that they're a little too minimal, too simple. We're in the art business, so I love a hand-made look. So I'd prefer the design come from a place of "sketch" rather than looking like it was constructed in photoshop.

Think grassroots, artistic, organic, but not in a hippie way, but an artsy way.

More thoughts - I just spend an hour looking at "handwritten font" sites and didn't see too much. But one reference - and please don't copy the guy, he's a friend of ours - but look at a site called The Bird Machine (dot com) and look at the Chicago Underground Film Festival and the word "Conchords" in Flight of the Chonchords poster. It's handmade a casual, but looks like it was drawn by an actual artist.

I like how the letters and words are starting to fit together. This does have to work as a 900 x 200 (or so) banner..

I finally found some fonts that will really clairfy things. I don't know the rules about using fonts, but we're okay with licensing and price, etc. These can also be used as inspiration. Google these fonts: "karabine", "everyday ghost", and "times new yorker", "rough draft font"

So you'll see they've taken a normal font and done a hand made rendition. So if these fonts would basically work (especially everyday ghost), it's still not a banner. I don't need gears or a graphic, but we can keep working with shapes. (and keeping legibility front of mind). Let me know if I'm breaking any rules here.

Also, I'm anti-gears, but then I looked at shutterstock "blueprint of space mechanic" - and "blueprinty" style sketchy stuff could work for this one.

The current #1 - doncovair - blueprint background and circles -- that looks excellent, it's the one to beat. My usless advice would be "more" - more definition (the blue is a little faded) and maybe even more techie.

Ok, so that's a concept that will work - but I'm open - keep 'em coming. This has been a great experience. We'll be back for the theatre, art collecting and film sites.

K

Thanks for the ranking, FYI - you can leave individual feedback for the designers by clicking on the above designs.

Don

NEW INFO (repeat): Only blueprint-based themes will be considered at this time (this is our design element, and suggested images from Shutterbug to use as inspiration are in the notes). Also, no "CAM" - we spell it out.