hello, i decided to go with something a bit more memorable and abstract rather than a straight up picture of a city + bridge. the end result is something that is much more simple, clean and sticks in your mind. The slightly abstract nature of the design makes it stand on its own as a logo rather than just a city skyline (which makes people think of cities rather than your company) and also allows for future expansion around the globe, this logo isn't unique to one city (like a sanfran skyline logo for example) i also deliberately made the building on the right taller to give a subtle feel of an increasing graph to represent growth and progress. the icon itself can easily be used as a standalone item or with the text and the text can also be arranged to the side etc (ill show you some more variations) for the business card im thinking it would be simplest to showcase the logo (along with the company name) on one side then have all the text and other elements on the other side but thats something we can discuss further after the contest ends if you choose my logo =) the colour and typefaces can easily be changed - just let me know =) any other feedback you might have would be great, thanks! bugy
Bugy, thanks for the excellent designs. (I was getting discouraged about current designs and adjustments due to designers violating the code of conduct.) To respond to these:
1) yes, I like the concept overall as more abstract, and definitely like your thinking and rationale. (my literal mind thinks we'll likely do more 1-4 story low rise projects, but perhaps I needn't be concerned) 2) Font: i like #110 most, then #109. In general I suggest a formal font, title or uppercase, with serifs, that's still a little more modern that completely stuffy. Worth seeing a few other options. 3) Layout - I like #108 for the front, perhaps top left of a horizontal card, or possibly realigned all left or all right justified for a vertical card. 4) tweaks: it might be interesting to see a few different colors or 2 color designs. For other colors, could be blues, or something a bit more deep blue purple or a saturated green. Not sure exactly what might be best. Perhaps ultimately even a brighter royal blue or a design with a little variation in the look of the color through the towers will do the trick. 5) Also curious what slightly shorter towers might look like (most of CA is pretty spread out and flat with so much land.)
Some more ideas: -variations on the type of font suggested by Heru could work well. Also like the icon left, words right layout you've tried in a few. -the colors do seem a bit dull as is, but the concepts are rock-star. Can you try some deep colors as well? I really liked seeing your bizcard comments, and the idea of a back-of-the-card dark background with light words. Printers can do 1-4 colors for us, shading, etc.
hey, thanks for the great feedback and the PM, i really appreciate it =) here is another variation, using the horizontal layout that you liked and a new colour. both the colour and this typeface give it a conservative and professional feel but its still modern, i think the lowercaser serif font has a slightly retro feel to it but maybe thats just me as for the gradients etc, im happy to supply you with two different versions, one for web use with a few subtle effects and one for print which will be in flat, pantone colours. My personal experience is that for a profesional / coporate style business card its always best to keep the colours flat and simple rather than having lots of gradients, this is also makes printing much easier and cheaper =) ill do some more colour variations now. PS, i also made the towers a bit shorter in this one then made the icon slightly larger in relation to the text, i think this one works better because the bridge element is now larger and more obvious
another thing to keep in mind - while flat colours (no gradients) can look a little stale on screen they come to life a lot more in print, nothing ever appears as one single colour in print because of lighting =) here is a good example: http://logodesignerblog.com/wp-content/uploads/business-cards/business-cards-design-inspiration%20(53).jpg even though its all printed in solid colours, the lightning (and the texture of the card) make it appear to fade and vary in colour =)
These look very close to what we were seeking, and we're pleased with the competition and quality of work. I like your sleek abstract design that's still clearly about real estate, the nod to our bridge, and the clean look. Thanks for your responsiveness, adjustments and experience. Also, thanks for your reminder to give more feedback or tweaks before it's over. Accordingly, time permitting:
1) the layout of #198 seems best and we're debating between the owners between designs. Might you please adjust the font size (both lines) to be larger. P.S. I like the bar you have between picture and words. 2) Colors - the 2 owners differ on liking 196 or 198. May I request potentially another shot with a deep 'royal' blue with a bit more purple/magenta. Intense 'luxurious' color is preferred 3) I think you are right this might look different in print, but I'm curious if we might want to add/tweak a little something that adds a little more dimension (slightly more 3D?). There's a slight shading you have in there already that we like. Not sure how that effect might be achieved if anything at all is needed, but possibly slight shadow or lines? If detracts too much from clean concept okay if it doesn't work. 3b) Color: Thanks for the link to the print business card inspiration. They were 3 color designs....should I consider more colors in the design, or does it become very costly? If marginal, might be interesting to see 2 colors in design. 4) Fonts can be fine, but hope they are easily legible. I went down the serif route, but also like the legibility of #108. Welcome another font choice you suggest. 5) Liked hearing your biz card concept. Still not sure what front and back might look like. If back a solid color with logo, then 1 color background and 1 color logo? Would be great to see 1 idea of what you might do on back creatively to visualize- your designs show front concepts quite well. Not critical that it be centered.
ok here goes =) "1) the layout of #198 seems best and we're debating between the owners between designs. Might you please adjust the font size (both lines) to be larger. P.S. I like the bar you have between picture and words."
#198 with slightly larger text in proportion to the icon
"2) Colors - the 2 owners differ on liking 196 or 198. May I request potentially another shot with a deep 'royal' blue with a bit more purple/magenta. Intense 'luxurious' color is preferred"
"3) I think you are right this might look different in print, but I'm curious if we might want to add/tweak a little something that adds a little more dimension (slightly more 3D?). There's a slight shading you have in there already that we like. Not sure how that effect might be achieved if anything at all is needed, but possibly slight shadow or lines? If detracts too much from clean concept okay if it doesn't work. "
adding a reflection to the icon can give it a bit more depth - while this looks really nice on screen (i can supply you with this version in your favorite colour for web use) i still think you are much better off using flat colors for print =)
3b) Color: Thanks for the link to the print business card inspiration. They were 3 color designs....should I consider more colors in the design, or does it become very costly? If marginal, might be interesting to see 2 colors in design.
in regard to the colour use on the business card - i was thinking of just going with a two colour print job (grey for the text as seen in my entries + whichever colour you choose for the logo itself) on a white card stock. not only is it much cheaper to use white card i think it also comes off looking very professional and will have the luxurious and slightly corporate feel that you seem to favour =) ill be more than happy to go into more detail with this and start showing you samples of card designs once the contest ends, while i understand that you want the logo primarily for the b-card, lets take this one step at a time and get the logo design finished up first =)
"4) Fonts can be fine, but hope they are easily legible. I went down the serif route, but also like the legibility of #108. Welcome another font choice you suggest."
this typeface is another favorite of mine, while perhaps not quite as elegant as the other serif typeface its very easy to read and stands out without being tacky
"5) Liked hearing your biz card concept. Still not sure what front and back might look like. If back a solid color with logo, then 1 color background and 1 color logo? Would be great to see 1 idea of what you might do on back creatively to visualize- your designs show front concepts quite well. Not critical that it be centered."
i was thinking of doing something just like this (in your chosen colour) on one side with white card + grey text on the other - alternately we can just do in on the simple white card with the normal colours for the logo. again - thats something we can discuss further once / if i win the contest (designing here at logotournament has made me very, very good at not getting my hopes up till the fat lady sings =)