Nice design and looking forward to more of your creative ideas! Only specific comments on this particular idea are that it is a bit formal and that the icon overwhelms the text (name of event). Boaters are a more casual audience and this looks a bit "big shippy" for a boater gathering. Also please continue to review my on-going high-level general comments and tips, made to the entire group in the LogoTournament Brief. These are very important. Thanks and best, Mark
Neat turn and twists! I think anchors and ships wheels will only get you and I in trouble, they're cool but probably overused. I like what you're playing with here with the penguin. Every team needs a mascot, maybe a cute caricature like this could work? How do we get the "snowbird" thing nailed? How do we make him adorable? And how does the type and event name build a solid frame or platform for him and the logo?
Kinda wanted your feedback on the "bird" idea before I try different styles... I looked up "snowbird" and I get everything from snow geese to little tiny birds... don't know if there is a specific snowbird reference in the one of your organization... but I will try a different 'cute' bird with personality to see what you think.
Yeah, I know what you mean. What's a snowbird? I like the idea of a penguin ... people get that. Or the colorful bird ... kind of a bird in a Hawaiian shirt! Maybe keep developing those ideas, tightening up the type usage (maybe a bit too casual/loose). Also, that architectural face ... does it really have the varying x-height (h and a)? And the penguin could definitely use a "smile on it's face" ... he seems kind of grumpy! lol
no time to work on this before it goes to top 5 so if you really want more options I would need to be in top 5 designers to enter more tonight/tomorrow.
Gotcha! How does the "Top 5" thang (as they south in the south!) work? I only did one other logo and it was about 7-8 years ago I think ... they didn't do it the same way then. There are about 7 of you that I think are really working hard, are responsive, and are hitting the target. It sounds like I can pick 5, then add two later, by rotating out two? Is that how it works? I'm doing another logo contest next week, so I want to get good at this and be the type of client that you all want to work with ... so any tips are MUCH appreciated!
you can do it that way... just when you request a modification you can put someone in top 5 and rotate in and out. I cant do it till tonight after the class I teach about 9PM PST.
Hi Carol, I just got off the phone with the group (believe me, that was interesting!). As you would imagine, some people liked a certain aspect of one of your treatments and others liked another aspect. As best as I can interpret, the group was mostly enthusiastic about the caricature mascot idea. They agreed the penguin wasn't very cuddly looking and didn't quite get the colorful snowbird. I think the proverbial parrot in a Hawaiian shirt (or similar) may be the way to go if we stay with a caricature. I had them go to, and browse your portfolio, so they saw your colorful style and liked it. For this concept, the main comments revolved around how they would like this logo better if used in one of the City's children's events. So maybe a bit too whimsical? Where do you think we should go on this? Spin this concept differently ... or do you have something else in mind? l.m.k. Thanks, Mark
always interesting working with a group... Let me think on other 'mascots' that might make sense in a nautical way and maybe work on some other options for you... Penguin - can make a different type one 'more cuddly' if that is the right direction. Colorful - can do different style of this as well... I do a lot of whimsical... let me see if I get an idea that might work better.
Talked with a couple on the team and they think the penguin is the horse to ride (don't you just love a mixed metaphor?). They make a good point that the colorful bird may be too abstract a connection to the event, whereas it's difficult to argue that a penguin is a snowbird! Just like a parrot is a sun bird. Maybe the two of them "meet" and disco? lol
On style, I'm also noting that the group favors bolder and more solidly built. Bolder and sans-serif type, thicker lines, and a more compact design with high initial impact (versus subtleties) seem to be leading the pack.
Now some of this (thin lines lost on small magnification), etc. I've coached them ... but I think their own tastes favor what is happening vis-a-vis the other leaders (jeckson, JMC, suke, medi, and JMHdezine).
Anyway, just some observations as you take your next twirl!
I agree with you. The boat and waves thing is perhaps over popular. I think the penguin is a nice break from boats and could definitely work. I'd suggest you stick with a cute penguin mascot and mold him (Her? Side note: I read somewhere that you can't tell a penguin's gender except upon autopsy! Ick!) into a solid blocky text structure. That actually sounds kind of fun looking and I know it will have a broader appeal to the HSR group. Sorry this is so difficult, Mark
I like the idea of 142. It's got a license plate feel. Like I said though, with these guys if we're going for the license plate concept, draw them a license plate! lol
Maybe have VA's license plate colors work in with Florida's ... symbolizing that migration. Or Happy Feet (what do you want to name your penguin?) gets the colors (or some other visual tie-in/look) of one of the states and the license plate/background gets the other. The Sunshine State can definitely be played up here. But not sure what "The Commonwealth of Virginia" can help with ...
I'm going to move 142 into the ranking, just let me know when you have something else you want me to see and I'll juggle you into the number one spot!
OK I tried with the state of FL image behind and it was way too busy.... if you like this concept and the team buys in... let me know how to develop it more.
Funny! I like it. But you better give me an orange, or something "warm" variant to give it some color. I know the group likes color versus subtle or monochrome themes. Then I think we let them see this one and that one ... and we've done our work.
Too bad penguins don't have thumbs ... or he could be hitch-hiking lol
Of course he can! You're a magician! Yes, I think you've given us enough of your time and wonderful effort to give me something really different to show them. I'm glad we're not all boats and waves! I've got a telecon with the group tomorrow morning. Let's see what they think! Best, Mark
Thanks Mark... and no matter what they choose... think of Business Builders to help with your promo items... we can have the embroidery done and banners and bottles etc.
I was just looking at the license plate concept again (I really like it!) ... and what if the plate was the classic white, with a blue border and the top said 'VIRGINIA to', and the bottom said 'the SUNSHINE STATE' (like I said before, don't sneak up on this group with subtlety) ... and by dropping out the lighter blue/gray to the white, the penguin highlight colors, the orange, and whatever color you choose for the Florida state outline would really pop! I think that would make the others more interested and I don't want you to have worked this hard and not get a fair shake because they may initially just say nyet because of the gray. I think it's worth one more turn of the crank. Do you have time to do that before tomorrow morning's telecon? I hope so but understand if you won't. Just l.m.k. and, if not, I'll try and explain it as best as I can. Thanks again!
Just an update: Got with two of the committee this a.m., expect to be able to herd the rest of the cat's tomorrow. I'll get back to you tomorrow night most likely with what everyone thought. Have a GREAT weekend!
Congratulations on the Bronze Carol! And thanks for working so hard on the HSR logo. It was a really close contest and you should know that a lot of the folks really liked your design. My wife, Diana, founded a citizen-science project for seabird conservation and we're going to do a logo for her later this year. You can bet that you'll get an invite and I hope that you'll choose to enter that contest. Look for an invite from me and the SeaBC Seabird Count. Best and thank you again, Mark (mark@onthewaterchartguides.org)