Like the clean look of this, but not crazy about the color scheme. The colors may be just a touch too childreny. As far as the simplicity and brandiblity I like.
I would think more of a warm tone. I like having four colors also, but I'm not opposed to seeing what it looks like simplified. We love the lifechurch.tv logo and it is pretty simple. Also, we're not crazy about having a cross in the logo, but yours is somewhat abstract do I don't mind as much. I like the composition of yours and the clean look.
#163 and #164. I'd really prefer not to have a cross, but these keep standing out to me. I like the layout of them, I think I'd just rather do something different than a cross. Color scheme is good and typeface too.
I used the same color scheme you mentioned you liked in a new concept, #200. It represents energy waves, also may be perceived as shoots growing up out of the ground, or an abstraction of figures dancing.
I hope you like it. It's clean and elegant.
Looking forward to your thoughts -- even if you don't like it, please let me know. Would be happy to hear either way. :)
#200 Definitely the best one so far. I have liked your typeface all along. I'm going to catch up on ranking and then I'll come to comment more about this. Give me a sec.
#200 Okay...I love it. I would like you to try this though. With the lines on the side...can you give make the colors more contrasting too each other? I really like the blue the way it is, but I just want to see some other options.
I also saw your public comment, and see that you value meaning in a logo. Very refreshing.
I considered submitting a "swooshy person" design (the kind of animation akin to the stick figures you see on bathroom signs for "male" and "female")...but realized you were the kind of Client that had taste, and would never want that kind of image, especially for a project this important; you would know how generic and over-used it is. :)
Will upload the revisions later this afternoon! :)
So, just wanted to explain a little bit about my last upload. It's an abstraction of the letters "r" and "L"...in the form of the energy waves from earlier (it's entry #295). It's not exactly where I'd like it to be, but I wanted to get the concept in front of you first. Working on alternate versions as we speak.
I like it! I won't be able to look at it in detail until I get back. I'm out of town today. I will be more specific tonight. I'm pretty sure your concept will make the top 5 so you have time.
So, I've been looking at all the links you posted, and how each church used their image to convey who they are. And, how they've done it in the most elegant, simple manner as possible.
I believe the reason why the Life Church identity works so well is because they *seed* churches...and their initials are placed in a very clever seed -- as in wheat seed -- format. Love it! Especially because Christ said, in John 6:35, "I am the bread of life; he who comes to Me will not hunger, and he who believes in Me will never thirst." There are so many good things to say about the Life Church identity, I can barely contain myself. :)
So, wheat, seeding, bread made from wheat, feeding the souls of believers....it goes on and on. :)
The other identity that has really resonated with me is the Elevation Church identity. LOVE it. It too has a clean look, just as with the Life Church identity. Simple shapes, subtle gradients, lovely typography. Just brilliant.
Building on these two examples, and racking my brain to come up with a clever, effective, and graceful way to portray your church's identity...I came up with these points:
-Motion: there is a need to portray action; your church is active in Christ, actively speaking of Christ to both believers and non-believers alike
-Beauty: there is a need to show the beauty of a fresh new life, the grace and beauty that life can offer as believers are reborn in Christ
-Hope: there needs to be an inspiring quality associated with the logo; just throwing initials up there isn't good enough...it has to have a *soul* of its own, has to have *life*...for a logo to portray new life in Christ, it needs to have a life of its own to speak of :)
So, the colors? Blue, because that, in my mind, conveys purity and cleansing. Also, the color of blue is also associated with water, baptism, and birth; rebirth as well. Even though a baptism isn't how we get to heaven, it is public baptism that signifies a believer has been reborn and is committed to Christ. :)
Green would work as well, in my opinion, as that conveys growth, especially "new growth." I prefer blue, though, as it just seems to fit so well.
As to the structure of the logo, you'll notice a few key points:
-Overall shape: an "R," for "Radiant" -The overall shape is also an arrow, to cover your need for "active in Christ" to be shown -The letter "L" is in the westernmost quadrant of the graphic, and stands for "Life" -Gradients were used, to both convey depth and tangibility (this is a life you can have! There is something here you can grab!)...and to inspire "hope" in the hearts of viewers...and to also uphold what I believe is another requirement for this logo: to look beautiful to viewers
:)
I've been saved since I was nineteen. :) I am a believer, and a grateful believer. I love the Lord, I truly do. Proverbs 3:5-7 has gotten me through nearly everything since I've been saved. :) :)
I sure do hope that this latest design is one you love as well. :) Even if you don't rank it before Top 5, I'll be happy to hear your thoughts on it, and why/why not you love it. :)
If you have any requests for modifications, please let me know. :)
And, here's my mention of the specific design entry number: it's #297 :)
I like all of the meaning ideas that you came up with and I agree with all of that. Specifically, active in Christ, fresh new life, grace and beauty.
I haven't been a fan of the logos that the L appears before the R. In this one I don't mind it as much, because it is more subtle and I think for the most part people will just see the R.
Also, I think the logomark might be a little big in relation to the type. The color choice is good.
Just finished another variation on the "energy waves" concept. Made the energy more "digital" looking (today's transmissions inspired me). Because most televisions now receive digital signals, a more square-ish version of the energy pattern I uploaded before has been made. Also: this is a nice transition from your former logo which was very square-like, had 4 quadrants, and the like. This concept has the elements slanted to project movement (once again also tying to the principle of 'action').
In entry #349, there is a tv-screen border around the energy waves. This connotes the fact that you are watching broadcasts from Life Church, and also corresponds nicely to their logo. They too have a television-screen shape in their identity. :)
And, just as with the other concept, the energy pattern spells out "r" and "L"... :) In Entry #347, there is no tv-screen background, in case you'd prefer to just see the graphic alone.
Hope you like them. :)
I'll make these newest ones in red too. All uploads are on their way, later today...
Also tweaked the border originally displayed in entries #336 and #337; made it more substantial. Did this to further finish off the graphic, make it more aesthetically pleasing, balanced, and...to better illustrate the component of a television screen.
Also uploaded red versions of entry #349 and #350. They are now entries #351 and #352.
Let me know what you think! I'll make any adjustments you prefer.
I like #347 ALOT!! Okay...now I would like for you to do something similar with #347 with in some sort of box like similar to what you tried in #349 and #350. However, when it is encapsulated inside those boxes I would like for the lines to be white.
A couple of things to try...I'd to see the box behind be more rhombusy...running parallel with the same slanted lines as the RL. Also, I think we have decided that the logo mark is going to be a flat color. With one of these as the color.
#b20107 #f7941d #016db2
More than likely the red, but maybe the blue one. We will paint accent walls inside our building based on the color we choose and the others in our group seem to think that the Red would be safer for that purpose however some think blue might work.
I've now uploaded the revisions as requested. I've combined the colors you asked for, along with black and white elements in several variations for each.
Here's the entry numbers for each color group.
Black and white: #361
Red: #362 #363 #364
Gold: #365 #366 #367
Blue: #368 #369 #370
Let me know if you have any further requests. :) So glad you love them!
One last point I'd like to emphasize: the mark I've included is unique. It also has a graceful quality about it; it is not merely two letters slapped together. And the shapes? They have purpose. Not merely to say "r" and "L" in an abstract sense. They connote energy, movement, and feeling. I'll say that it certainly doesn't look like anything else you see.
Ultimately, the mark should convey the feeling of the church, left alone, without any type. That's the wonderful thing about an abstract shape; it has a life of its own. It's not just "letters"...which could be mistaken for standing for someone's initials, or a taxi cab service, or a soda pop brand... :)
I may need to submit my concept with a non-slanted background. I will only mention that another Designer does not feel comfortable with my use of the rhombus shape, and out of respect for them I may wind up removing entries that contain it.
Do you have other shape preferences besides the rhombus? If you do, please let me know.
Okay...I understand that you want to respect the other designer. At the same time if I need to let him know that I have asked you to do that I will. You may try any other shape you like. I think a circle could work. And it might be cool if the lines overlapped the circle. Just some thoughts.
I'm working on alternate concept arrangements now. :) Thanks for the feedback.
As for letting the other Designer know, please don't worry about doing that. I appreciate your willingness to clear things up, though.
I do have a question for you, if you don't mind; did you ask other Designers to make a rhombus shape, or to slant their squares? Any Designers at all, privately?
I also took note of your request in the brief to have the logo for Radiant Life correspond to the Life Church logo and the Network Churches logo. So a square shape, which is a what I believed was what you wanted, is where I started out. And a geometric shape is general, in my opinion. I believe when a contest is in session, tensions can run high. I feel for the other Designer's stress level; I have it too. :)
If you asked another Designer at any time to slant their square, that means it is your request and your concept that is a requirement of completing the brief accurately. Please let me know if that is what happened.
I meant to also say that the slanted elements in the Life Church logo were what I incorporated into my concept. Which means that is a concept you asked us to follow. So regardless of the slanted square or not, that is a design element I'll keep in my entries. It's a visual request already made by you through the posting of examples from the start. :)
I just noticed your public comment. That was very kind of you to post that; I am glad you mentioned that publicly. Hopefully, that will clear up any confusion.
Also, I'd like to let you know that even if any of my designs to not wind up winning this contest, having the opportunity to work with you throughout this contest has truly been wonderful. :)
I am a freelance Designer outside of LT, and have met many Clients over the years. Your feedback and level of design knowledge has been impressive, to say the least! Heads and tails above the rest. It's refreshing, it truly is.
I'll be submitting the alternates later tonight, before I turn in for bed. If I don't get the chance to see you rank them before tomorrow morning, I hope you have a great night!
Layout for each includes white on black background. Submitted variations of centered, horizontal, and right hand horizontal placement of the icon.
Thoughts?
And, is there any particular element that is causing you to hesitate with my designs being ranked first? Please let me know what the barrier is, as I'd really like to give you a logo you want and fits your needs. Please let me know what elements you feel are missing or are holding you back from this or other concepts of mine being the winning concept for you.
I aim to please. :) Looking forward to hearing your perspective.
Also uploaded two other variations -- centered, and placed below the text. One has a circular enclosure with it (which can be made solid if you wish).....the other does not.
Right now I know it looks like the other guy is ranked first, but I'm really just sorting my top 2 (about to be 3) out with the different variations. This is so that others can easily look at the 3 logos on different BGs, etc.
Some of the negative comments I have received about yours so far is that some see "Pb" and some see "1%" in the logomark.
While I like your original idea...I think the newer designs will be more popular with the group. Take the same principles I've asked for with the other ideas and apply them to your newest ones (#483 and #484). Meaning send me all of the variations of these kind of like your other ones are laid out on the ranking.
#486...I do think when we use the logomark on the left side of the text that we will use it in whatever shape it's in. That way it separates a little bit from the type. Thanks!
Uploaded several variations. Black on white, white on black, colors on white, colors on black, also variations with and without the border of an oval. Also submitted centered above the text versions and to the left of the type versions.
Let me know what you think of these; will be happy to try other methods to increase aesthetics and/or readability if desired. :)
Entries #504, #505, #506, #507, #508, #509, #510, #511, #512,#513, #515 all use the "R and "L" I submitted earlier. The energy wave one that is more legible.
I've incorporated it into a version of light, of sun....of Son, in a manner of speaking. These designs are inspiring, hopeful, and incorporate "R" and "L" in a clever manner. Eye-catching, memorable, and totally unique.
I do not want my next comment to be taken badly; I need to inform you, though, that the Designer who feels my design is too close to theirs has involved me in something here at LT we use to settle disputes. I have an enormous backing from other Designers. How it works is this: Designers who happen to be on the site at the time a case goes to voting wind up voting in the suit. If the Designers who are supporting me are on, the ones who have voiced their opinions in the forums before this goes to trial -- something initiated by the offended Designer -- these Designers will vote as they said they would in the discussion. If other Designers vote before those Designers do, I will be removed from the contest; entries and all. I will not have a contest area in which to talk with you. And my designs will be out of consideration.
I believe you may be informed of the results after each dispute goes through -- whether I "win" or "lose."
Please know that it has been an absolute pleasure speaking with you, and working with you. I hope we get to continue to work with each other. My latest design is, I dare say so myself, quite remarkable. I am extremely proud of it, and believe it is a design that fits your brief and needs perfectly. Hope you feel the same way. And if it is pulled (because all of my designs would be pulled if I lose), please know that it is a lovely design; I hope that does not happen.
#507 - Okay...this look is awesome!! It's a little different than the other concepts, but I'm really liking it. The logomark is brandable by itself I think which is great! I will come back to this in about 2 hours so I can look at it more critically.
Also, please note: all these lates entries...#507 and beyond...the icon in them is an abstract ambigram. If you are unfamiliar with the term, it means that a symbol comprised of letters can be turned upside down or rightside up and still be legible.
You can see "r" and "L" whether you flip it up or down. Backwards and forwards. :) Ambigrams are the most complex, simple, and clever forms of typography around. Google "ambigram" and you'll see examples; this ambigram is an ambigram letterform mark/symbol. :)
Hmm...as to which color? I would choose the color of the sun, myself. Gold here is great; would also look good in a reddish-gold; sort of a compilation of the red and gold choices you have here. Anything to connote warmth and hope. :)
I've got an idea with your newest concept, or at least something we can try. I love the lines of the logo mark. Now, staying with the ideas of having some sort of shape behind the main character, can you try making the lines in the logomark white and then putting a shape behind it and making that the color. Basically the shape would be the same shape as the outline of the whole mark, but bigger. You can try this on one first so that I can see it before you have to start uploading a bunch of different ones. Say #505.
So, I played around with various borders, backgrounds, and the like. What I discovered was this: a design that exudes "radiance"....for it to continue to convey "radiant" qualities, it has to shine. Has to be free to shine, without any borders.
All the backgrounds I found...lessened the radiance of the design. It took away the quality of openness and shining with its confinement, and reduced the image to a bunch of...squares. So that made me sad.
I decided the best way to unify the icon and keep its qualities intact -- and at their best level -- was to unify it with color.
I thought some more about your question that asked what colors would be appropriate for branding. And as I mentioned before, I believe that a darker gold/orange/red at the darkest...would work, as long as the tones that came together conveyed warmth, as this represents warmth, life, the sun, The Son. :)
So the inside of the icon is brighter than the outside, just as the sun in the sky appears. I believe these two colors -- they're not gradients, by the way -- when placed together, give off a glowing effect, optically speaking. And it isn't even relying on gradients to do that! :)
I think it all works very well together. What do you think? :)
P.S.: If you would like me to use more than two colors, please let me know. I'm open to it; multiple colors together look great. If printing costs are an issue, know that the three colors (printers often count black as a 'color') I've used are very cost-effective, and will save you tons of money on printing costs. :)
I do not know if you plan on printing a lot of items -- several bulletins, flyers, and the like -- in the full color version like I've submitted here.
The great thing about this design I've submitted to you is that it does not rely on color to convey its structure. For instance: you've seen what it looks like in all black. It doesn't rely on color to "hold it together"....which is, I must say....the hallmark of a good logo. :) All parts don't "mush" together when it's all black, either. As in, if all parts were black...if you were to xerox it and every piece of it was basic black...it wouldn't be a mess abd undefined. It wouldn't be without any structure, it would not be without definition; its message is clear no matter what. You can see it clearly in all black (one color)...no problem. :)
So, if you wanted to ever print this in "all black" on a xerox machine, perhaps on colored paper -- your identity wouldn't suffer. It would still be able to communicate, without being turned into a blob. :)
I like it...I'm also going to ask that you take the two color concept and apply them to #406 and #404. A lot of my group seem to like orange, because it's more "radiant." I'm trying to get out of preconceived mindset that I've had. I used orange on a brand once and after awhile just didn't like it. I'm trying to get past that and halloweeny feel. haha...the rest of my group tends to like the orange color the best and I tend to like the blue, but also sense LifeChurch gives us a lot of resources, if our brand looks close to their brand then all of the resources that we get from them will look like our brand. Make sense?