Plum LivingLogo Design Contest

Hi everyone!

Thanks for your logo submissions.

Couple general comments thus far.

1. Would prefer fonts which are more contemporary, and with less gap between each letter.
2. Some of the plum images look too similar to an apple.
3. It is not mandatory to have a plum in the logo. Feel free to play with more abstract concepts.
4. The slogan has been updated, its now much shorter. It is also not mandatory to use it. Feel free to exclude if it limits your concepts.

Some background on the name and what we are trying to convey.

Plum used as an adjective means "a good spot to be in" or " to be in a good position" I realize this is not a well known or widely used, use of the word, but it's what we decided on. ;-)

With that in mind ... what we provide as a business ....

1. Amazing, prompt, friendly service (which is not the norm for property management)
2. apartments which have character, are stylish, and feel good to live in
3. apartments which are in great neighborhoods, where people prefer to live, each building is picked due to its proximity to restaurants, transportation, shopping, major employers and universities.

What we want the logo to do, what we want people to feel or think when they see it

1. That we are different. Not your typical boring and unfriendly, with poor service real estate property management company

2. That we are fun and happy.

3. That we have cool places to live. Places to live which are trendy, stylish, with high quality.

Hope this feedback helps!

Please keep submitting new logo concepts. And I will be providing further ranking and feedback.

Thanks!

Some general feedback which might be useful for everyone ....

The idea to use the word "Plum" came from the following four things:

1. Wanted something easy to say and remember. It started as Plum Property Management. And my wife didnt like it. Too boring. She changed it to Plum Living.
2. As I mentioned in my previous post, Plum used as an adjective means "a good spot to be in" or " to be in a good position" I realize this is not a well known or widely used, use of the word, but it's what we decided on. ;-)
3. My wife likes muscle cars. And specifically wants a plum purple dodge challenger. The only way I may ever be able to afford a classic restored car like this is to put a sign on the door that has the property management company name on it, so I can write it off as a business expense.
4. I like the color purple. Always have.

To give more feedback on where the logo will be used. The logo will appear on signs at the properties. "For Rent" signs or "Managed By" signs. logo will also go on t-shirts for all employees, and likely fliers, business cards, post cards, and our website.

Hope this helps.

Thanks
Jake

Some more feedback for everyone ....

First of all thanks for all the submissions. Really some good ideas and concepts. Appreciate all the effort thus far. Would like to continue pushing forward with additional new concepts and evolving the already submitted concepts.

Please keep them coming!

Thanks
Jake

Hi Everyone,

Wanted to thank everyone for their entries. Lots of good stuff. Looking forward to seeing what comes tomorrow. I have reviewed every entry, and given feedback on many of the entries. Will do my best to keep up the volume of feedback tomorrow as well.

Need to step away and take a break.

Please keep the submissions coming. My general feedback is to feel free to try other creative concepts and ideas, feel free to explore.

To further summarize the goal ... I am really hoping that the logo when viewed by people leave them with the feeling and impression that the logo represents "a cool very desirable place to live, one that is stylish and catering to young professionals, in their 20s/30s"

Thanks
Jake

Thanks Everyone - Things are going well - as a note - we are not married to these colors. Plum or purple makes sense the green / lime works but perhaps some other color ways are worth exploring...

We have narrowed our choices so that "we" can keep focused - however we have reached out to individuals and the feedback we have given you still holds - we would love to see more options from anyone willing to give it a shot.

Regards,

Jake

Hi Everyone,

We updated the rankings again.

First of all thanks for all the entries and revisions. The designs have all been very impressive.

Some further thoughts that came out as we have been thinking thru the designs and our rankings.

1. Many of the logos have had a reference to plum either thru the fruit, a leaf, or a tree. Which is fine, it is an obvious choice. But we realized that some of the designs push it too far, giving the feeling of being on a farm. We would like to avoid this. Our current rankings reflect this feedback. So those that felt more farm like, were either ranked lower or moved out of the ranking. btw we came across this logo and thought the image might be adapted somehow for those pursuing tree logos. http://www.mountsinai.org/patient-care/service-areas/geriatrics-and-aging/areas-of-care/martha-stewart-center-for-living

2. We also realized that we really seem to gravitate towards designs which place emphasis on each word separately. Where Plum or Living are accentuated or exaggerated in some way. Either thru a different font selection, or different weight of the font, or being a bolder or darker color. We would like to see more exploration in this area.

3. Some of the early entries used the roof line of a single family residence. This was giving us more a feel of being in the suburbs, away from the downtown city or away from the desireable bustling neighborhoods with lots of food and entertainment choices. We are thinking that maybe an alternative image could be some city scape of some sort. However, we are not in the Downtown New York City style areas, so a skyscraper skyline wont work. Here is one logo that we saw which was kind of going in the wright direction, which maybe will give some ideas to explore. Again the logo design does not have to have a plum reference in it.

This link here might give some ideas .. it has line drawing of a traditional amsterdam style house. http://www.hutspotamsterdam.com/ Maybe something along these lines but more reflective of Los Angeles.

This google search links below are for architectural/street images in areas we own buildings. Thinking it might give some ideas to the "cool neighborhood" feeling we are trying to convey in the logo.

https://www.google.com/search?q=iconic+highland+park+90041+images&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mjRkU6mVIcHroATJh4LQCw&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=old+town+pasadena+architecture+street+views&tbm=isch

https://www.google.com/search?q=iconic+highland+park+90041+images&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mjRkU6mVIcHroATJh4LQCw&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=eagle+rock+architecture+street+views&tbm=isch

https://www.google.com/search?q=iconic+highland+park+90041+images&es_sm=91&tbm=isch&tbo=u&source=univ&sa=X&ei=mjRkU6mVIcHroATJh4LQCw&ved=0CCoQsAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=highland+park+york+blvd+architecture+street+views&tbm=isch

And to give more ideas about the types of apartments we specialize in. We focus on three general types of buildings. Smaller buildings in the 10 to 20 unit range. Ones that are either craftsman style, mid century, or spanish courtyards. This generally because these buildings have usually really good floor plans, with larger rooms, higher ceilings, and have a more home like feel. We stay away from newer buildings built in the last 20 years. But then update the buildings we purchase with all the modern contemporary light fixtures, flooring, appliances, etc. So it's a mix of what is cool from the old, and what is stylish/popular today.

here are a few links to the styles of buildings we focus on ....

Mid century modern:

https://www.google.com/search?q=california+craftsman+apartment+images&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CjdkU9iGBc3yoATEs4GACA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=california+mid+century+modern+exterior+apartment+images&tbm=isch

Spanish style courtyards:

https://www.google.com/search?q=california+craftsman+apartment+images&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CjdkU9iGBc3yoATEs4GACA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=california+spanish+style+courtyard+exterior+apartment+images&tbm=isch

Craftsman style:

https://www.google.com/search?q=california+craftsman+apartment+images&es_sm=91&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ei=CjdkU9iGBc3yoATEs4GACA&ved=0CAYQ_AUoAQ&biw=1440&bih=738#q=california+craftsman+exterior+apartment+images&tbm=isch


I realize I may be sharing too much info ... but doing so to give a sense of what we are trying to accomplish. We want a logo that go on a sign on the front of any of these buildings and still feel like it works/fits with the style. Almost as if the logo and image of "Plum living" transcends each building and gives the message that you are associating with a stylish and quality company catering to those seeking high quality, good service, in great and eclectic neighborhoods. We like to think that we provide a curated boutique feel. Our apartments both interiors and exteriors dont look like the typical poorly maintained unit. It's just short of a luxury small boutique hotel, but more affordable.

Sorry for running on. Time for beer.

Please keep submitting your great ideas. We really appreciate all the great ideas and hard work!

Sincerely,
Jake

Hi Everyone,

The new entries look great! Thanks for continue to explore and evolve new ideas.

We are in the last 20 hrs and I would really like to see another rush of new concepts so we can finish this phase of the contest with a bang. Would greatly appreciate folks trying to incorporate the feedback and concepts shared yesterday in my way too long post.

I will be giving feedback all the way to the end of the next 20 hrs.

Regards,
Jake