The Power of AllysonLogo Design Contest

Wow,
I will be submitting a logo for this soon. And I'm not saying this to improve my odds but If I were to win this contest I will do it for free so the money can be used for anything the family needs.

Solfree - thanks so much for your comments! We are excited about the opportunity we've been given to give back to everyone at the hospital during their annual fundraiser but more importantly, the money we raise will go towards caring for so many families out there that are in similar or even more dire situations. It's a great cause ... it's a great group of people we will be doing this for ... and we are pumped about sharing this experience with Allyson and her big sister Sydney (5 and 7 now)! We can't wait to start seeing some concepts! Take care.

# 2 - we like the colors; we like the script used; we like the "a" in the logo itself but we don't think it really represents the "power" aspect we are looking for. This concept may be a bit too feminine ... which is our fault for where we put the slider. It should represent strength, and courage, and determination. We have some additional ideas about what else we (think) we see in this logo but we want to wait for additional entries before we start tainting the designs. Thank you so much for your entry - we hope you keep the designs coming!

First, thanks so much for the entries so far.

# 4 / # 5 - we didn't completely get the "little red riding hood" concept until we read your explanation.

# 6 - we felt like the design was a bit too plain. we would like to see something a little more abstract. However, we do like the "hands" concept.

# 3 - we like the angel idea; good colors; we didn't like the heart in the "O" since we thought it might not be very clear in print or on clothes. We would like to see some additional concepts using different fonts. We like the script font used in # 1 or something similar. We would also like to see some concepts with some additional colors rather than just purple and pink.

# 1 - We like the butterfly, the font, and the colors. We would like to see some additional concepts where you play with the wording a bit. But overall, we like the direction you are going with this.

A couple of additional design elements might include a cross or hands. We do like the angel or butterfly concept as well.

We can't wait to see new entries!

Same thoughts as solfree...coming up with something soon.

# 7 - We were delightfully surprised by your entry. It's not something we had in mind but we like where you're going with it.

What we like: the colors; the star / person with heart design; the individuality of it.

Additional thoughts: we would like to see some additional concepts using different fonts.

Keep the awesome ideas coming everyone!!!

Hi perryjm1 - Thanks for your quick feedback regarding my logo (#7). I will provide additional font options within a day or so. Thanks again!

# 8 - What a cool idea! Things we like: it's creative; we like the color; we like the reflection; we like the symbolism of "superman" but don't want to use something that's as iconic as that. we would like it to be original. Now with that said, the "A" in the middle is very, very cool. Maybe you can create something similar to the superman logo but different?!

I want to make sure everyone understands that we are so impressed with how creative you all have been and the "contest" has only been open for a day. The offers to do the logos for free are overwhelming to us ... and it's something that we have experienced over and over again by so many! With all that is bad in this world it's amazing to us how our little girl has been able to bring out the best in so many people - including perfect strangers. Thank you for that! Please don't think you need to do any of this for free. Your time and your talent should be rewarded. If you choose to donate then that is totally up to you but we are holding up our commitment to pay the $300 for the logo that best fits what we believe The Power of Allyson is really all about!

This is the first time we've ever used this website so I hope that we are providing you creative types with the information you need. What I can tell you is that we are extremely impressed! Thank you in advance for your time and your talent!

Something else to just think about ... everyone has seen the pink ribbons which symbolize breast cancer (awareness) but what I didn't know was that a silver ribbon symbolizes brain cancer (awareness). I don't know if we would want to incorporate that into the logo or not but it's something to consider.

# 1 (solfree) - as I continue to look at your design I started to notice a hint of a "cross" in the middle of the butterfly. I don't know if that was intentional or not but I just noticed it. I wonder if you could make it more pronounced?

# 9 - Another very cool idea. Allyson's eyes have always been what draws you to her first and foremost. They are an amazing blue color that pulls you in. We also like the way you worked "the" and "of" into the logo without them standing out as much as the "power" & "allyson". I would like to see this type of concept used in future designs. As for the eyes themselves, we agree that it would be cool to use something that has to do with her eyes, we aren't sure what it is exactly.

# 10 - we definitely like your # 1 entry better after seeing the change. We don't like the font used as much now and we don't like the butterfly as much now.

A note for everyone, we would like to see the play on "The Power of Allyson" much like in # 9 where "the" and "of" aren't as bold as "power" and "allyson".

Again ... we are very impressed!

# 10 - forgot to mention that we really like the font you used as well. Really good design concept!!

sorry - last comment above was meant for # 9 regarding the font.

# 17 - We love it! We love the pixie dust concept, we like the pixie dust going around "The Power of"; we love the angel being a part of the "A" in Allyson; and we love the little hearts in the pixie dust itself.

The only thing we would really like to see more of is color. For example, the color used in #7 caught our attention right away. Could you provide some additional options with more color? Also, could you lighten the purple used in the words?

# 18 - cute concept; we like the playfulness of the font; we like how Allyson is very big and really catches your attention.

# 19 - we like the heart and angel concept; we would like the angel wings to be a bit more feminine and maybe the heart and the whole picture larger. We would rather see more playful colors used.

# 20 - the color combination is great; we like the font used; it's a very cute design but not really what we're looking for.

I know we've said it before, we are very appreciative of all of the entries and for the time you have spent designing these logos. You are all very talented.

# 28 - we love the design a great deal. We're wondering what it might look like to have "The Power Of" next to the heart and "Allyson" below the people - where you emphasize "power" and "Allyson". Maybe larger font and different color than "the" and "of". This definitely ranks up at the top in terms of what we are trying to communicate through this logo. We love the "connection" aspect of the design as well.

# 25 - we really like the fact that you incorporated the silver logo into the design. we're wondering though if it's too busy now with the ribbon, the angel, the heart, and a star.

We can tell this is going to get harder and harder for us to choose b/c the entries are so good!

#31 - Great design...we really like the wings and the halo over all the words. We were wondering if you could make the font purple? OR make the wings purple and the font blue. Not sure which would look better. We really like the overall concept. We also would like to see a little different font. We're torn about the font on #30. We wonder if you have any other fonts that are somewhat playful the you might be able to implement in #31?

#41 - we really like your last design! One request - in one of your first entries you had a couple of hearts next to the people. Could you add a couple of them back to your latest design? We felt like that communicated the connection Allyson has had with not only our close family and friends but also perfect strangers. Thank you so much for you designs! Also, the "Allyson" is the same color as the people - would it help Allyson stand out a little more if it was outlined in pink? We really want Allyson and Power to stand out!

All of the designs are awesome! We continue to be more and more impressed with everyone! And we want to thank you all!

I am not submitting a design so I may comment freely on the current designs to help the contest holder.

You may want to ask the designers of your favorite logos to submit a version that is very small and only one color. This is the litmus test for a logo. Can it be seen and used at small sizes (and from great distances) and can it still look good in one color? You will discover color is expensive! Exponentially increasing costs by double or triple. Imagine limiting your mission because it is too expensive to print shirts because the logo is not legible in one color.

Really consider the concept. I've read about Allyson, and I am so happy and relieved to know she is doing GREAT! I was so upset when I saw the angel logos submitted because I thought this was a foundation for someone who passed away. Many other concepts presented here are not so misleading.

Looking at your top three choices, you can make a Plus and Minus list:

Which would be most legible at small sizes? Which would still look super in just one color. Which is the most versatile? (For example, #7 you could print the type on the pocket of a T and put the star BIG on the back. Can you do this with other choices, or are the type and mark integrated)

I hope this helps a little! God Bless you, Allyson, everyone that is helping you and that Allyson is inspiring including myself and the wonderful designers participating in this contest.

SLICK - thanks very much for you comments. They are appreciated. As for the angel logos, I can agree with you on one hand, but on the other, our view has been that angels have been watching over our little girl since May 2nd when she was diagnosed with the tumor. She has been through 4 craniotomies and has done fantastic in all 4. We believe there were angels in the operating room that day when they went in, cut her from her right ear to the other side of her head, and went in through her right temple area to get that nasty tumor out. Without our faith, without angels watching over her, and without God guiding the skilled hands of the neurosurgeons, things could have been much different! I say all of that to say, the angel theme doesn't always have to signify death - in this case we believe it signifies life and Allyson's chance to make a difference in this crazy world we all live in.

As for your comments about the colors, and the small sizes, and their versatility -- thank you for that as well. This is all new to us so there are things designers understand that we would never think to consider. We are hoping that DTOWN5280 will provide some additional options for us to look at based on the feedback we've tried to provide. The cool thing about that logo is exactly as you said - we would be able to use the star on the front of shirts (alone) and then use the text and/or the text and star on the back if we wanted to. The point being, they could be separated if we wanted to use them that way.

We want a logo that is both feminine (representing our five year old little girl) and also one that isn't quite so feminine (representing the courage and strength she has displayed throughout this whole ordeal); the trick is to find that balance!

The designers working on this logo are fantastic and we can't say enough about the creativity that has been displayed so far! Our goal is to take this logo and use it as we go out and do our part to give back to so many of the people at Le Bonheur Children's Medical Center that cared for us while we were there for 5 weeks & to give back to so many other families that are battling these same (or even worse) illnesses.

Take care!

She's so brave! I'm sure the designers will oblige if you ask them to tweak their designs to be legible at small sizes and in one color. Clients have asked us to redesign logos for them because they wanted hats, and their logo was "impossible" to embroider, and redesigned logos to cost $500 to put on shirts instead of $5,000.

These are not necessarily "official" entries since I really just wanted to comment here to help, but here are visual examples that may help you direct your contest. #51, 52 and 54 has a halo to represent your Angels which is less literal so it could also mean the power that the Angels give you and Allyson and those around you. Like a warm embrace from the angels themselves. The halo is wrapped around a heart representing love and life.

"THE POWER OF" is written in big letters in a strong font to show strength. "Allyson" is written in child-like handwriting to represent Allyson herself.

This handwriting effect is reflected in the halo, so the type and mark are visually integrated.

The logo may be used with the mark to the left of the type or above it. This is so it may be optimally seen in the space it is allowed. For example, on a long, wide, skinny banner you would use #51, the long, wide skinny version. If it was on a square or round button, you would use #52 the one with the heart on top. And, if you wish to separate the two in the example of a TShirt with the type on the front and the heart on the back you could do so.

It is only two colors so it won't bankrupt you to print it onto things. It is also legible at small sizes and dynamic even in just black, say, if it were to appear in a small Newspaper Ad. (#54)

I hope this helps a little, best of luck to you, and God Bless you!

nice work zrox!

perryjm1, thanks for ranking my designs, it's really not necessary. just wanted to give you a visual example of my talking points if it helped. several designs you have recently ranked meet the same criteria of a good logo! you'll have a winner in the end for sure. GB, SLICK.

[Removed by admin. Disgraceful comment.]

Thx, Slick.

enough...

an angel ALSO represents strength........power, really, research it;)I'm am glad some of us take it upon ourselves to be experts. :(
and as far as comments from left field........whatever.

tini1 well said. i agree with your perspective, i'm sure you understand my first reaction - which i had specifically because I am _not_ an expert on angels. :) anyway, i bought into the concept a while ago, it was very kindly and clearly explained to me by the contest holder.

your entry #3 is terrific. this site is lucky to have you, and we all enjoy seeing what you come up with.

I'm a little confused ... the intent behind this "tournament" was for our family to find a logo we could use in a major fundraising effort for the Children's Hospital that we believe saved our daughter's life. It has since turned into a "shouting" match between designers. Because of the confrontation we've now had designers pull their designs ...

SLICK, I don't think you meant any disrespect to the other designers, at least we don't want to believe you did, but it has resulted in not only tini1 pulling her designs but you retracting yours as well. Was it all worth it?

We are not looking for anyone to tell us what certain designs mean to us ... which is why I disagreed with your view of angels and tried to explain our experience.

I really would like to see us get back to what we set out to achieve which was to find a logo that represents our daughters battle with this serious illness, her courage and strength throughout this whole ordeal, and to get us ready for a fundraising event in early 2009 which will ultimately raise money for the hospital that is building a $330 million state-of-the-art facility which will care for many, many families just like ours.

We sincerely thank everyone for being a part of this search for a logo and we are extremely impressed with the the talent that has been displayed. One of the reasons we used this website was because it is home to designers from all over the world that have their own views and their own creative spirit! We knew this was a great opportunity for us to see many different designs and pick the one in the end that best fit what we were looking for. I'm sorry if we have done anything that caused the "mood" to take a turn for the worst. This was not our intent.

perryjm1, i pulled my designs because i never intended them to be official entries, only visual references to what i was writing about. ("I am not submitting a design so I may comment freely on the current designs to help the contest holder." "These are not necessarily "official" entries since I really just wanted to comment here to help, but here are visual examples that may help you..." "perryjm1, thanks for ranking my designs, it's really not necessary. just wanted to give you a visual example of my talking points if it helped.")

tini1 pulled her design because she was disgusted by a prior conflict involving another designer that was shouting at me in this contest. i responded to this person in the past, but no longer do, because i will not allow someone like that to provoke me. unfortunately, tini1 was negatively affected by this person as i fear a lot of us are. she did not pull out because of my comment about the angel concept. i bought into the idea after your kind and considerate explanation of it in fact.

i took a great interest in this contest because we lost our first son 10 years ago.

i'm disgusted with the designer that brought a useless feud into this forum. i have promised myself i will not respond to this person. particularly here. it's absolutely unforgivable that this designer brought this trivial baloney into this contest.

Please send me a personal email so I may learn how I may contribute to your cause, personally.

SLICK - thank you for the explanation. my wife and I completely confused with how the comments turned negative. this is the first time we've used this website so we didn't know if we were providing the wrong type of feedback or too much feedback or what??!!

I will send you a private message so we can talk further.

Thanks so much to everyone. Sorry for the drama.

perryjm1, I apologize for kind of putting you in the middle, not my intention:(........I guess I got alittle upset at all the personal comments between designers. I will resubmit my dign if this is ok, agin I apologize for the confusion, tini1

#64 - could you change the pink in the oval to a light (but bold) blue? Also, we were wondering what it might look like to have either "power" in pink or "Allyson" in pink?

The designs keep getting better and better! We love it! It's going to be so hard to choose!

#70 (zero5150) -- we really like the new design - we love the font, we love how the colors fade. Excellent Job!

Thanks! Also, the design really pops out at you on a black background as well.

#106, #108, you might want to spell Allyson correctly!

We continue to be impressed with all of the designs coming through. Just as an FYI ... I have requested to have the tournament extended until Sunday of this week to give us an opportunity to look at each of the designs and make a decision about which one we ultimately want to go with. What we can tell you is that you are all making it very, very difficult on us - which is a great thing! We have so many great designs to choose from so we are excited about that. We have ranked the designs that have come in so far but we haven't settled on the rankings yet.

Thank you again for all of the entries!

We hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

This is just a quick note to let everyone know that the admin for the site extended the contest until next Thursday I believe. This was longer than we requested but it will definitely give us an opportunity to review all of the logos and make a final decision. We have also requested a couple of minor modifications to a couple of the logos so it gave those designers a little more time as well.

Thanks so much to everyone!

Thank you for the continued great designs! We are still amazed by the creativity of all of you ... and you continue to make it more difficult for us to choose! (But, that's a good thing!).... Thanks!

perryjm1, I would love some feedback on #161

You can use the logo freely.

majorwerx - we really like #161. We like the open arms and the heart and love the font! It's a simple logo with a great message. The decision to pick the right one is becoming more and more difficult.

I added #184 & #185 These can be easily split graphic/type

One thing that you might want to consider, is how some of these would translate into B&W, the more the image relies on color, the more difficult that becomes. If you ever see print application like newspaper etc. that might be a future issue.
Happy choosing! -Jim

majorwerx - thank you for your observations. We have considered the color issue and we are weighing that into our decision. We really like #179. We really appreciate all of your submissions. The overwhelming number of entries from everyone is very humbling. There is so much talent out there!

Thank you for everything!