hi,
just as a tip when choosing a logo:
Stay away from normal gradients, and use only doutone gradients. this will make the logo printable on all kind of marketing materials from steel, glass doors, wood, plastic, etc
Try to imagine it, on all king of marketing materials (brochures, business cards, presentations, video ads, paper ads, online ads, > think at it, also as a easy 2 animate it> so it's more powerful in online ads
When I created the character, i had in mind a marketing campaign with free t-shirts, hats, etc...(I was not think at it as a mascot)
Try to keep a proportion in the logo (icon+text) so that will not have a problem, when squeezing or maximize it.
Try to see it easy to ad some design to it, (Ex: covered with snow, for winter season (like google)etc. for all seasons...
Try to chose a logo that will be on for long time, this makes from a company a brand.
Also I want to thank you for this contest, as you squeeze my creativity juices, and I think that few concept's of mine (especially the character), will sell good on istock sites..
Thanks'
Criss.