The word "Alumni" needs to have the same prominence as "Emerald Bay". The full name is "Emerald Bay Alumni" and is referred to with the full name, or just "EBA" for short. (If someone says "EB" they mean the camp, not the alumni group... so anytime we have initials, it's EBA).
I'll get you more specific feedback on the designs later today.
We really like #25. I like how the ship and the text are connected -- it brings the whole thing together nicely!
I also like how you extended the "R" in "Emerald"... Though it looks a little, umm, droopy, for lack of a better word. Could you maybe lift it up a little, and perhaps make it even more pronounced?
Also, why are the "AY" in Bay all the same height? Does it not look good if you go with the small caps for that?
We also need to fix the "alumni" part--making it as prominent as the rest of the text. I know the name is long and unwieldy, but if you can find a good way to increase the presence of "alumni" in this design, I think we're really on to something.
The ship is a bit cartoony... The hull of the ship also looks kind of like a guy lying on his side with a spear through his neck. (though I'm sure a small tweak could fix that problem).
I think we're leaning towards a more "classical ship" look -- rather than modern/contemporary -- which is why we like #25.
Regarding the fonts -- we're leaning towards a serif font rather a san-serif or over-the-top classic/character font...BUT, of 55-57, I think the san-serif font fits the icon the best. The font in #56 is definitely "too much."
After some discussions amongst the board of directors, the decision has been made to pursue a slightly different tack--though we're definitely in the right direction stylistically.
We have used one specific "Pirate with his arms crossed" image over the years, and we think that swapping the ship in #61 for an *updated version* of that Pirate would look really good.
We like the "compass rose" idea and want to keep that in... So it's just about updating the pirate, making the logo look fresh and current.
We like what you've done for #81 -- definitely the direction we want to go.
Can you tweak a few things for us?
-- Shade the skin of the pirate just a little bit (arms, face) to give him a little color
-- Can you play with the compass rose a little? Not sure exactly which direction it needs to go, but it would be very helpful to see a couple of other compass options/styles. Maybe something more "compass-like" or nautical, less "spikey"?
-- The font isn't quite right yet for us. I think we want to try to go just a *little bit* more "piratey" or "old english" -- but not fully blown. Just a little more in that direction would be good. But we want to be careful not to get too hokey or cheesy... so just a "hint" of pirate is what we're looking for. :)
Yeah, those new fonts aren't really working for us. Hard to describe why not, but I'll give it a shot.. The initial letters in the fancy font with the rest of the letters in a plain font just feels a bit jarring. We need to try a different tactic, but I don't know what it is, unfortunately. Do you have some other --completely different-- styles or options we could see?
Like the new compass rose in both #100 and #111... Though I really liked how the pirate was "leaning out" of the compass in the earlier versions (rather than having the extra wavy lines at the bottom).
Not sure about the red striped shirt on the pirate (cliche?).
The font still isn't grabbing me. Don't like the tall/skinny font (and I hate the "R"!) in #100. #111 is closer, but a bit too "flouncy" or embellished.