Here are few pro looking logo suggestions for you! Hope I'm not too late! :)
I've tried to avoid overused logo types for your line of work, including rooflines, with windows and trees in the background, because these type of logos are all over the place, and it might be a real challange to copyright it! Instead I was going a bit out of the box, and introduced symbol of open doors (hospitality/friendly neibourghood/inviting feel to it), in two variations,...one modern looking (#99, #100), and alternative with more traditional representation (#101, #102).
Hope you'll recognize branding potential behind simplicity and symbolism of these designs, and if you feel there's place for improvement, don't hesitate to let me know! Thank you!
Thank you Bojan, and you are right, I've realized through the past few days that rooflines seem to be the norm amongst realtors, and I did want to be a little different. I'm generally more traditional, and would like a little feminine flair to it, and like the ideas of the doors. This process is overwhelming, and I'm glad you were able to get in under the wire! I'll be back in touch!
...altough new to Logotournament, I do have many years of experience when it comes to creating visual identities. So, let me offer some constructive suggestions,...it is important how you feel about your company's visual appearance, and how you want to present yourself, but it is more important how your customers will react to it,...this can actually make, or brake ones business. If you go with usual generic/overused design, it'll be hard to differentiate you from your competition,...as you've concluded during the contest.
There was one period, when "busy" logos were in demand, but this trend was short, and it became outdated,...design tendencies are back to basics,...simple/clean/timeless graphics are back, and this is not just a passing trend. Simplicity is from psycological point of view, something that catches the eye and stays "carved" in the brain (Apple??, Nike??,...). If your business is based on ear to ear recommendations and handing out business cards, logo on those cards should be simple/unique and memorable/recognizable on the spot,...text is important, but graphic part is the key. Red/black color combo on white background is fantastic option for this to be achieved.
So, there you go! :) Hope this helps, and if you have some suggestion for improvement on my designs, please let me know! Thank you!
Thank you for that advice! that makes a big difference, and I really don't want to go with the overused design, and I'm not overly modern either. I've been in the business for 17 years and have developed a very good name for myself, and now growing a team, want to make sure we put across the friendly, approachable and results oriented reputation that I've created. I want to be the epitome of the savvy Southern hospitality :-)
Got it! Thank you for the top 5 rating,...this will allow me to offer some updates on my designs, having in mind that Southern spirit you want to emphasize! Be back soon with new designs!
Ok,...I did some modifications on text part, simplifying it, by removing tagline from basic logo (tagline can be added back,...just wanted to lighten it up a bit!). Also on these versions "TEAM" segment is more emphasized, by adding more dynamic 2nd font.
Regarding logo icon, I've tried to give it a bit more Southern feel, while maintaining open door concept. #112 has more contemporary feel to it, and #113 is more traditional! Any thoughts/suggestions!? Thanks!
...forgot to mention,..on entry #125, symbolic Southern sun is more obviously presented, unlike on the entry #124, where it is more simplified and a bit abstract! Any thoughts/suggestions! Thanks!
+ one more concept (#126, #127) that has dominant southern sun symbol, and including house and condo elements! It is so called "target design", that has significant potential of visualy drawing attention! Turned out quite pro-looking, but accent color on version #126 gives more personal/warm feel to it! Any thoughts!? Thanks, Beth!
Thanks! I'm leaving that concept! Here's one more proportional and slight color update on my best ranking design! Also, change of font on the tagline! (#131)
Thanks for the rating, Beth! Glad you've recognized branding potential behind this design concept! Here's just one more entry (#132), with color switch on text part,...just to explore more options with this!
Hi Bojan, here's the hard part. Let's see what w can work on....do like the door , do you have any other ideas with porches or doors to soften it up? Think Southern US. My city is Charlotte NC with a nice skyline but that may get too busy
Hey, Beth! Actually I had an idea to try adding rocking chair, part of the porch, or combination of both,...but dismissed it, because it may look too busy. Let me try something in that direction,...be back within few hours with new versions!
Ok,...on entries #133, and #134, I've tried to give this design more freindly/welcoming visual appearance, by adding some porch steps in frontal perspective, so we get more depth, while maintaining simplicity and symmetry.
On #134, porch fencing gives it more detail, but it might add more warmth/intimacy to overall appearance! Watcha think!? :)
Beth, I've also checked out the Charlotte skyline,...it looks nice, but problem with this option is that it will just sink into the sea of similar "overcrowdwd" city skyline designs,...although there are some distinctive buildings, their silhouette is just not distinctive enough to have unique branding potential. ...but let me know if you want me to try something in this direction! Thanks!
...let me give you my final thoughts on this design concept! #133 would be my personal pick, as it is clean and pro-looking,...#134 second choice,...I probably wouldn't go with #135, but it looks sooo eye catching,...and memorable! :D Let me know your thoughts, or if you have some further suggestions!
As you know we can reach out to our friends, and one of my dearest is a graphic designer who does not have time for my work too, but here is his feedback: OK…this is what I think:
1. I like this ICON (door image) but with the following changes. The door frame in black (or gray gradient) and ‘inside’ the doorway in white. Add a small black doorknob. (#124) 2. <image001.png>
I like WORD MARK in this version. One thing I might try is having a version that wraps the strap line ‘The Name Friends Recommend’ around the top curve of the door. (112)
Richard also recommended taking out the Name Friends Recommend or being able to take it out as it's a lot of words <image003.png>
Richard has some interesting points! ...totally agree with too much text part,...this is something I've tried to avoid on my entry #112. There are different applications for any logo, so delivering versions w and w/o tagline shouldn't be a problem.
Let me try to incorpoate some of Richard's suggestions! Thanks!
OK,...modifications on entries #153 - #159. There are basicaly two concepts with few font variations, and all presented with and w/o tagline. Again, it would be advisable to avoid too much text in basic logo, but version with tagline can be delivered for some logo applications.
I've tried that Richard's suggestion about arched tagline on #159, but it doesn't feel right,...maybe adding some frame around those letters, but I would stick to letters in horizontal line,...less shape diversiti within overall logo appearance! But his suggestion ho "open" the door with white background was a hit. Your turn! :)
Couple things, I'm really struggling between concepts.....what would you do with this to make it more social media friendly in smaller situations, and can it be softened up at all with any greenery flanking the door? Still not too feminine to me...
Ok, Beth! I have one idea that might turn this concept into more social media friendly icon! Having some technical issues at the moment, since there`s HUGE, really teriffying, tunder storm at my place! If I`m not back with new updates within next 3-4hours, it`ll be done tomorrow! Thanks!
Beth, on entries #177 and #178 you have one design with feminine touch, that is by overall shape applicable for social media, with its compact form (1:1 ratio). Also introducing green/red color combo and rose, as one more southern symbol!
After better thinking about it,...it is not possible for me to incorporate your latest request in my design, since it is concept from other designer in this contest. If you feel that his design is better solution for you, go with that design. In the mean time, I'll try to make some other modifications on my design! Thanks, Beth!
No Beth, I didn't take anything out,...no worries! ...and I'm not giving up on this contest. Let me try something else,... but hope you understand, that copying concepts from other designers is not an option!
New, updated designs on #185 - #189, Beth! I tried to maintain simplicity, while giving it a bit feminine tone, with flower pattern on doors. Flower petals also symbolicaly present "team work". This is probably my best design so far, and you should specialy pay attention to basic version (#185) and green accented version (#187). Hope you'll like it! Thank you!
We've explored many options with this concept,...from those clean ones, to more busy looking ones! If you have some other suggestions, let me know! Thanks, Beth!
Sorry it's been a crazy day....we have explored many options...still not sure if this is my direction....have gotten some feedback from other friends and we are all over the board!! I'm off to an appointment then will look at it in more detail tonight!
...and on my final entries #225, #227 and #229, I've offered few font disposition options on best ranked concept! On entries #226, #228 and #230, you have grayscale versions of same designs, without tagline,...those can also be delivered! Thanks, and hope to hear from you again!