Thanks for considering this brief. I really like many aspects of your two entries but I strongly prefer the one with the green Gaia. The way that the picture is rounded to hint at the earth; the way that it also recalls the wave on the sea, the placement of the creature on it, away in the distance where it is hard to identify; the way that the font for the Gaia is like living plants - it is all very much in line with the guidance in the brief. I also like the potential to vary the creature on the logo image to make the logo more specific to a particular part of the guide (eg fishes, reptiles or birds) while maintaining the overall branding.
I will sleep on it and let you know if I have any suggestions for improvements tomorrow.
The new designs based on a circle with a range of species in them are exciting also. I just worry a bit about how they would translate into the kind of icon being used on mobile phones etc. I also worry that it is a bit too busy, making it hard to beimmediately recognisable, at least compared to entry #6. Also, I like aspects of both versions of the design. Specifically, I like the green Gaia, the rainbow bird, and the colour intensities of the animals in the version with the blue Gaia.
For entry #6, among the people I have shown, the only negative feedback has been that the writing of Gaia is a bit too abstract. I really like the font and how well it captures the nature of plantlife. I also like the way that the a's mirror the G. However, is there a way to make the writing a small amount more readable though? If not, that's cool too. I am a bit torn over it myself.
Thanks for the variety of new options. Feeback follows.
Entry #72 is very elegant but is too plant focused. Entries #69, #70 and #71 are insufficiently organic in their look, at least for the impact I am seeking. Earlier designs were more effective. Entries #6 and #18 are still my preferred 2 from yourself. #18 is just a bit too busy and involved. #6 needs a little experimentation with what is the most suitable animal to place in the image. Ideally, the animal or animals depicted would resonate with people from around the world. Deer are somewhat specific to particular locations, even if they are impressive in their natural environments. They are also viewed as pests or domestic/farm animals in some places - eg New Zealand.