Nice font, like the smaller case n, crisp colors. Creative N, I will look at that for a while. Not sure if the double arrow will, for some, say 1=1 though.
The way you have "nEqualsOne" is perfect. The biggest challenge to me is the icon, something that can be both clever and yet easily recognized, with the eventual power to be recognized for its uniqueness. You are close....
Your last three icons are a clever integration of the n, the = and the 1. Your "nEquals One" design remains the most attractive to me. However, a few comments I have heard suggest there may be too many small bits in these icons (#125, #126 and #165) that cause some to spend too much time figuring out your integration. Anything you can do to help that?
I personally like the simplicity of #176 with the "=" removed. The 1 immediately pops out, then the mind has a bit of an "a-ha" moment when the n appears. I believe it is these types of logos that engage the audience and are the most memorable.
Very nice. As you say, the biphasic experience of looking at this is engaging, even entrancing, and gives it an extra sense of depth, if that is the right word. Another way of interpreting this without the equals sign is the concept of "number 1", like "I'm number one"....which, subliminally, is a great message as well.
A couple of thoughts... would your "1" look as good as all one color (black or red)? And/or with two thin lines as its base as red if the "1" is black, or black if the number is red?
Would the whole effect be lost if there was a thin line around the n?
Overall, I have been most impressed with your design (the "nEqualsOne" continues to look great to me), with only an interest in tweaking the icon part of it.
Some variations I am curious about would include (using #197 as a start point): The icon as entirely black with just the bottom line of the equals sign as red (or vice versa); Not having a space immediately above the equals sign; or not having a space between the two lines of the equals sign. Having a background shade that brings up the "n"...; Having a hairline around the "n";
Or, using #176 as a start point, which I think looks cleaner: Making the base horizontal two colors, say the bottom red; Or put a small red "=" within the base of black; Having the "n" as a very light shade of gray; Or having the "n" with a hairline within it;
Italicizing either #176 or #197, as you did with #125 and #126
An I am sure you have other ideas up your sleeve....!
Thanks for working with me on this over the holidays.
Technically, I don't know if you need to. I believe the contest will stay in Judging indefinitely, although you may start to get some emails telling you you are late on deciding. It really depends on how close you think we are to a final version.
Yes, on reading the fine print, I think you are right. I think we are close to a final version, as I like the way you have created the hidden n in the logo. I am not sure how many other incantations you can think of for the essential designs you have already produced. I am always amazed at how many interpretations you designers can create!
When I think of microbranding, using just the logo as a stand alone, without the "nEqualsOne", I really hope that people can sense the "n=1" concept, even if they have to look at it an extra second, and not a "1n" or "n1" concept.
Another idea I was tinkering with was the "1" being completely black (or red), without a second red bar at its base, From there, several things came up for me: One was to put a small red (or black in a red 1) equals sign, slightly less than the width of the shaft of the 1, either in the middle of the shaft, or in the black base of the 1. Do you think that is too obvious?
Another was to but the whole complex within parentheses, much like a math equation.
In any event, I appreciate any input you may have on this design.
Thanks for the recent additions. The feedback I have received from various sources all suggest to me that, of all of your designs, #176 may well be the most enduring. Simpler is often better, I suspect. So I guess I have come full circle on this.
If I now settle on this design, my only other request of you is for a few alternative suggestions for color combinations, as this design will like be put on different colored backgrounds from shirts to bike frames, where the logo colors would look nicer if there was a different pair of colors. Perhaps a sharp blue, a tangy purple or lively green or silver to go with the black? Your suggestions are always welcome.
My apologies for the delay. I've posted a few color combinations for your review/comments. The simplicity of the design will allow you a great deal of latitude in changing colors based on usage. The file I supply you will be editable, so you will have the freedom to change colors as needed in the future.
As long as I can easily edit the colors, I am fine with that.
As for your samples, what I had envisioned was simply a swapping in and out for the red in most cases, so, for example, a sharp blue would be the top of the "1", and the "n" and the "One" would now have the similar blue. Using the blue you used in the fischi companies, iBird or the Freedom Media logos, the green of the Buffalos logo, the pink of the Revolutionary Club, or just a silver would be good options.