I know you're just doing your stretching exercises here. [smile]
Some specifics: I think the graphic is too nebulous for our audience. Think concrete versus abstract reasoners. And we're seeing a lot of wavelet squiggles in this tournament. Don't get me wrong, waves are good! But they are so common in the business that you'll need to do something REALY uncommon in their use, if you know what I mean.
I know this is hard to keep pulling rabbits out of hats ... but I'm looking for the M heart in Master Matchmakers, the paw in Pet Max, and the bulletin balloon in Hometown Indoor Advertising.
Think standing out on signage at a trade show booth; readable (or at least intriguing) at ten feet, embroidered on a polo shirt; or instantly eye-catching and recognizable on a magnetic vehicle door sign or vinyl lettering on our boat ...
But I'm sorry, a wheel could MAYBE get used in the design but I doubt it. It's really too overused in this business and you'd have to do something so impossibly, incredibly cool with it to pull it off.
I think you're on a roll now and will come up with a logo that isn't just "decorative" but is "informative."
The examples of your work I listed above are good looking but also quickly tell the "story."
Our story needs to be reflected in our logo:
- small, upcoming self-publisher in the boating industry - provides cruising guides (books that tell you how and where to go in your boat) - new player (younger, exciting, current information, uses high-tech and innovative methods for data gathering and presentation)
Let's blow this up and try some new ideas altogether!
Thanks, Mark
p.s. A lot of people asked that I don't bin things in the "not interested" column unless they are "horrible. Not a problem, I'll start ranking again ... with low rankings meaning what they mean and our dialog mainly taking place by post. Recognize that I do have a problem in that LT does not tell me when you have posted to this page. I only get notification with a "private message."
My 3rd concept (an abstract mark) submission showing M and W with wave formation in between, The icon can also be seen as an open book as a guide, it also looks as if two boats are seen from top cruising ahead. I think this icon covers a lot of things and has come out after a long look and study of your business Feedback appreciated Thanx the icon can be used separately also
I think you've got some good ideas (waves, boat cruising, open book) but they are WAY too abstract for our demographic. American boating males do not look for the deep hidden meaning in an art shape, if you know what I'm saying. [smile]
I'd suggest you pick one of these ideas and lead with it, melding the others into the design in a less obvious (but don't be too subtle!) way.
Please don't give up on us yet. We're not even close to picking a winner ... so keep those brain cells churning and those great design concepts coming!