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View Full Version : [Project Complete] Due: Jan 11 - A Plus Vacuum Logo - $150


pamiata
01-02-2007, 06:23 PM
Admin code added by Abby - 6TD72728DG6993849

What text should be included in the main part of the logo?

A Plus Vacuum (please spell it as shown with a space between A and Plus, Vacuum is singular)

What type of product or service do you offer?

We're a retail location selling cleaning products and air purifiers to folks who are concerned about clean air and clean homes. Products include the following:
high-quality vacuum cleaners (uprights, canisters, and 8-pound lightweights) -- over 40 vacuum cleaners are out of the box and ready to try out on our demo carpeting and hard wood floors
air purifiers for all room sizes
specialty cleaning products (stain removers, Casabella brooms/mops, FreshWave air freshener, wool dusters, stick vacuums, hand vacuums, and more)
commercial vacuum cleaners (uprights and backpacks)
carpet cleaners, carpet shampooers, dry carpet cleaning systems
largest selection of bags, belts, and filters in our metro area -- special orders are never a problem
service and repair for almost all brands of vacuums including Kirby, Electrolux, Dyson, Eureka, Dirt Devil, Royal, Kenmore, Oreck, and more
and to make your clean home smell nice, we also sell home fragrance products such as crystal potpourri, soy beads, soy candles, and oil diffuser lamps.

How long have you been in business?
18 months

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
We are trying to present an upscale look as we are not the old-fashioned "dirt shop" that many vacuum repair stores still are. We are a cleaning center providing quality unique cleaning solutions that cannot be found at big box stores. We also provide personalized service so that our customers can purchase the machine or tool that is right for them and for their home.

What are your long term goals?
Grow our business at our current location and open a second location in our county within the next 12 to 18 months.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
1/11/2007

Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience
Primarily female. But you would be surprised how many men do the vacuuming in their homes. Plus our vacuums are not cheap and are not impulse buys. Many men come in with their wives (or sometimes in advance of their wives) to review our selection.

Who would you like to add to your audience?
Many potential customers think we are only a dirty repair shop. Others don't even consider us as they don't think of a specialty retailer for their next vacuum purchase. Instead, they impulse-buy a disposable cheaply made vacuum at Walmart or Lowes or their local department store. We want folks who are tired of their plastic, dirty vacuum cleaner that makes noise, but doesn’t pick up all the dirt in their carpet and blows much of that dirt back into the air. We want customers who are ready to break the junk vac habit and who want to buy a quality, clean vacuum that will enhance their home.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Simple, friendly, warm, appealing. Not a corporate look. Not a big box store look. Something that represents the personal service and attention that they will receive in our store. And of course, clean!!!

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
I'm very open to your good ideas.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
Anything goes. I'm picturing a logo that is text-based. Perhaps different colors or typefaces to distinguish the different parts of the name. Maybe a tag-line incorporated into the logo.
While an image could be added, I feel it may be too restrictive. Our name is already restrictive and I would like the logo to demonstrate the wide variety of products available from us.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
We are professionals who can recommend a cleaning solution that is effective, easy to use, and cost effective. We have many products to choose from -- more vacuum cleaners than any other store in our Metro area. Plus we have more bags, belts, and filters than any other store in the area and at prices that match or beat all our competitors including Walmart. Plus many specialy cleaning items like ostrich feather dusters, 25 foot extension dusters, cleaners for stains and wood floors. And our line of home fragrances.

What is your tagline or slogan?
We sometimes use "Clean Homes, Clean Air", but we are open to ideas that you might have.

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?

Where will your new logo be used?
We would like a new logo that can be used on our website www.APlusVacuum.com (http://www.aplusvacuum.com) which will be completely redone. Our web-site presents extended information about our store to our local customers.
We would like to update the web site to make it more friendly and more content rich. No plans to sell via a shopping cart on this site. (we are planning on opening a 2nd site with a different name and logo as a 2nd business)
We would like to start a regular advertising campaign in our local newspaper and coupon mailer.
And we want to update our business cards, yellow page advertising, and other printed materials.
We would like a logo that we can also embroider on polo and woven shirts as well.

Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
Our local competitors do not have much of a presence. Local shops most like ours are the Oreck shop and Creative Sewing and Vacuums (first 2 links below).
The 3rd and 4th links below are examples of other local shops that are more like the "old fashioned" vac shops.
And of course our competitors are also the big stores like Bed Bath and Beyond, Sears, Lowes, department stores, plus door to door vacuum salesman like the Kirby man and specialty retailers on the Internet.

List competitive URLs if possible
Our local competition:
http://www.oreck.com/ (top notch of course)
http://www.creativesewingandembroidery.com/page2.html
http://www.valuevac.com/
http://www.concordvacuumcenter.com/

Specialty retailers on the Internet
http://www.griggsvacuums.com/Merchant2/merchant.mv
http://www.best-vacuum.com/
http://www.ristenbatt.com/
http://www.allergybegone.com/
http://www.allergybuyersclub.com/ (this is nice}
http://www.healthyhome.com/ShowPage.asp?page=default.asp (I like this one)

What sets you apart from your competitors?
We have the best products for each person's unique cleaning situation.
We'll listen to our customers' needs and match them with several choices that they can try out in our store on our carpets.
We'll put down kitty litter, lint, fur, cereal, sand, and other "dirt" so that our customers can be sure the vacuum they're interested in is right for them.
We have multiple flooring surfaces all made of residential carpet, as vacuums always clean better on low-pile commercial grade carpet.
And we provide superlative service after the sale as well. We invite our customers to bring their vacuum back annually for a free tune-up "on the house" to ensure that the vacuum cleaner is operating correctly and efficiently. This tune-up includes a free bag and belt too.

Targeted Message:
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:
Clean homes and clean air are our specialty. Everything we do focuses on that.


I'm looking forward to seeing ideas from the talented designers here. Thank you in advance for your help and your assistance!

Pam
A Plus Vacuum
Charlotte, NC

OffbeatDesign
01-03-2007, 08:23 AM
Version 1

pamiata
01-03-2007, 09:14 AM
Offbeat, thank you very much for getting the ball rolling.

Message #2 This looks good, nice colors. Was wondering what it might look like to see a silhouette of a vacuum cleaner or a person vacuuming in the "A" in place of the plus sign?

I'm looking forward to seeing more ideas.
Pam

Senter
01-03-2007, 10:33 AM
Im in.

djaka
01-03-2007, 11:03 AM
any comments are appreciated
thank you
:)

OffbeatDesign
01-03-2007, 11:34 AM
Version 2

freetime
01-03-2007, 11:39 AM
Here's a look from me.

Senter
01-03-2007, 03:06 PM
http://www.senterbrands.com/designout/APlus1.gif

pamiata
01-03-2007, 11:36 PM
Thanks very much everyone for the quick response to the project request.

Feedback on the logos received so far:

Offbeat #1 I like the colors and shaded line. As an alternative, would like to see a simple silhouette of a person vacuuming inside the "A" instead of the "plus" sign.

Diaka #1 I like the colors and creative way of fusing the A Plus together to provide background. Would love to see other ideas based on this one or taking off in different directions.

Offbeat #2 I don't care for this one. Too much white space, the vacuum nozzle looks wrong. Doesn't jell. Would love to see other ideas.

Freetime #1 Clever to tie the letters together like that. But it doesn't flow for me. Would love to see other ideas.

Senter #1 Looks like first aid for vacuums. :) Not bad, but doesn't have the pizzaz I was hoping for. Would love to see other ideas.

Note to designers: We sell other other products besides vacuum cleaners and are continuing to add products that expand our theme of "clean homes, clean air". Think of us as a specialty retailer, for example a miniature Bed Bath and Beyond focusing on cleaning. Maybe think about designs that represent fresh and clean? With fonts that are less blocky and more lively?

Thanks everyone for your help,
Pam

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:51 AM
Here are a few designs from me. "Vacuum" is deemphasized on all and could easily be replaced if you expanded your product line and had a name change.

v1

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:51 AM
v2

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:52 AM
v3

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:52 AM
Next few represent the "plus" of having a clean house :)

v4

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:53 AM
v5

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 04:53 AM
v6

OffbeatDesign
01-04-2007, 06:09 AM
Air flow, fresh air concept. Working on the lady in the "A" as well.

OffbeatDesign
01-04-2007, 06:23 AM
More lively font. Colors inspired by my Dyson, but could be toned down if they're too much.

Blesseville
01-04-2007, 06:26 AM
http://www.blesseville.com/do/apv1.jpg

OffbeatDesign
01-04-2007, 06:39 AM
Dynamic type with flowing plus signs representing air movement or cleaning

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 06:47 AM
V7 'fresh air'

BlueCherryGraphics
01-04-2007, 07:02 AM
V8 Clean

Leclerk
01-04-2007, 07:08 AM
http://logoholik.com/do/logoholik_aplus_01.gif

Leclerk
01-04-2007, 07:09 AM
http://logoholik.com/do/logoholik_aplus_02.gif

Leclerk
01-04-2007, 07:22 AM
http://logoholik.com/do/logoholik_aplus_03.gif

pracus
01-04-2007, 02:23 PM
:)

pamiata
01-04-2007, 04:28 PM
Thanks to everyone for the terrific ideas. Lots of good-looking logos here!

My feedback follows:

Blue Cherry #1 -- almost retro feel, very nice. This is in the running.

Blue Cherry #2 and #3 -- nice, but like #1 better

Blue Cherry #4, #5, and #6 -- like #6 the best. Good balance between the elements.

Offbeat #3 -- very nice, definitely in the running

Offbeat #4 -- I like the Dyson colors, nicely chosen. But I don't care for the font. Too blurry looking.

Medigraph #1 -- not bad, maybe a bit too corporate looking.

Offbeat #5 -- interesting way to float the letters and the pluses. We'll think about this one.

Blue Cherry #7 -- the logo seems too similar to an air conditioning company whose trucks I see everywhere. Probably not for us. I like the lettering though.

Blue Cherry #8 -- so clean it sparkles! This one's in the running.

Logoholik #1 -- nice combination of retro and sparkle. But it still seems to need a little bit more. Maybe a different font?

Logoholik #2 and #3 -- #1 is my favorite. And #2 is nice. Don't care for #3 -- the sparkle between the words seem heavy.

Pracus #1 -- I like the overall color and look of the logo and the placement of the graphic. I'm not too crazy about the graphic itself though. I'm not sure what to suggest other than the graphic looks too corporate.

Thanks everyone for some wonderful ideas! I'll be printing everything out on Friday evening/Saturday morning and reviewing with my husband. I know we'll have more feedback for all the designs at that time.

Thanks again!
Pam

Senter
01-04-2007, 05:04 PM
1950's Better Housekeeping magazine with a little modern flair!

http://www.senterbrands.com/designout/APlus2.gif

OffbeatDesign
01-04-2007, 07:49 PM
Version 6

Fabian
01-04-2007, 11:52 PM
:)

pamiata
01-07-2007, 02:20 PM
My husband and I have reviewed all the logos submitted so far and like many of them. But naturally, we have to whittle it down to a few, and ultimately, just one.

The following logos are in the running, but we would like some modifications as noted:

djaka - version 1 - could you narrow the space between the A and the P in order to reduce the blockiness of the 2 joined letters. My husband really likes the figure.

Offbeat - version 3 - We both like the streamlined look of this logo. However, we agree that the font used for A Plus is a little too curly (the S specifically) Could you substitute something just a little simpler for the font? Also we would like the relative size of A Plus and VACUUM to be more similar. In other words, reduce the height of A Plus and increase the height of VACUUM.

Freetime - version 1 - The vacuum in this logo seems too dominant. How about increasing the size of the A so that it is almost the same height as the vacuum next to it. Keep the same connection between the A and V.

Medigraph - version 1 - We're seeing this as an oval. Could you please add an oval background to frame and shape it?

BlueCherry - version 6 -- We like the overall layout, but would like the relative height of A Plus and VACUUM to be more similar. Also could you replace the plus sign in the house with a silhouette of a person vacuuming?

Logoholic - version 1 - we like the overall concept, but would like the following changes. Make the height of the A Plus and VACUUM more similar. Could the sparkle be more sparkly? In other words, it looks just a bit heavy. Maybe the size just needs to be reduced?

To those designers we did not mention, please submit any other ideas that you may have for us. We're blown away by all talent here.

We're still hoping to make a final selection this week.

A HUGE thank you to everyone,
Pam and Rocco

freetime
01-07-2007, 03:47 PM
Here are the revisions :)

Blesseville
01-07-2007, 04:17 PM
http://www.blesseville.com/do/apv2.jpg

Blesseville
01-07-2007, 04:17 PM
http://www.blesseville.com/do/apv3.jpg

Leclerk
01-07-2007, 05:28 PM
Here it is shining and sparkling all over it :)

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_aplus_04.gif

pamiata
01-07-2007, 05:41 PM
Thanks Freetime, Medigraph, and Logoholik for the quick response. I'll have feedback tomorrow.

Take care,
Pam

OffbeatDesign
01-07-2007, 07:22 PM
Thanks for the feedback.

OffbeatDesign
01-07-2007, 07:23 PM
Another streamlined option with movement.

pamiata
01-08-2007, 10:44 AM
Thank you Freetime, Medigraph, and Logoholik for your latest versions. They look terrific and we will be considering these as finalists.

Offbeat, we're still focusing on your version 7. Requesting a few changes. We would like to further reduce the height of A Plus relative to VACUUM. I'm guessing that this means that VACUUM will not be the same length as A PLUS? Which is fine with us, if the design looks good. We like the look of the new font, but my husband would really would like to see the A Plus letters aligned along a straight line. (He's a very orderly person!). If you don't feel this particular font will be suitable given these requests, then please choose another that will "go" with everything. And with all of those changes, please tweak the blue swooshes if/as needed to rebalance the overall look.

Thanks very much for your time and effort!
Pam and Rocco

OffbeatDesign
01-08-2007, 11:11 AM
Thanks. Here are a few type options.

OffbeatDesign
01-08-2007, 11:11 AM
Version 10

OffbeatDesign
01-08-2007, 11:12 AM
11

OffbeatDesign
01-08-2007, 11:12 AM
12

pamiata
01-08-2007, 11:47 AM
Offbeat, you are impressively fast! Thanks for the quick turnaround -- these look very good. We'll be including these in our group of finalists that we'll be sharing with a few people for their feedback.

Thanks again!
Pam

pamiata
01-08-2007, 01:36 PM
Thank you again to the talented folks who are working their hearts out creating beautiful logos for all of us here!

We're almost done working with our semi-finalists for A Plus Vacuum's new logo. Still hoping for djaka and BlueCherry/Jennifer to make a few modifications.

We'll then take this batch and show them to folks and think very hard. What I'm expecting is that we'll come back with 2 or 3 logos and perhaps ask for a few small adjusments in size/shape and maybe some alternative colors before making our final choice.

We hope to make our final choice on Thursday evening or Friday of this week. So, if you haven't participated yet because the thought of a vacuum cleaner shop scared you , then just jump right in. Think "clean homes, clean air" and you'll be fine!

Thanks again to everyone,
Pam

djaka
01-08-2007, 03:25 PM
Thank you for the feedback
this is the revision.
I hope you like it
:)

pamiata
01-08-2007, 04:10 PM
Yes, this is what I was looking for -- perfect.

Thanks djaka!

skyvee
01-08-2007, 11:23 PM
Hi! Here's one from me. Thanks!

BlueCherryGraphics
01-09-2007, 12:44 AM
Hi Guys,

I looked at this a couple of ways and unless I make the icon much, much bigger, you will totally lose the image of the person vacuuming if I place it within the house. When it's scaled down, it will be indistinguishable.

pamiata
01-09-2007, 03:05 AM
Thanks skyvee for the logo .... nice combination of figure and shapes and color.

Jennifer, thanks for looking into this. I understand completely about the scale if the person is added. We still like this logo a lot.

Artemii
01-10-2007, 10:40 AM
Hello! :)

pamiata
01-10-2007, 07:11 PM
Artemii .... thank you very much for an ingenious, yet simple logo. This is very, very nice.

Thank you again!

djaka
01-10-2007, 09:03 PM
based on A + V
the logo can be placed upside-down.
:)

djaka
01-10-2007, 09:58 PM
another option
:)

pamiata
01-11-2007, 03:21 AM
djaka, thank you for another great design! I love the icon.

To everyone, we're going to share the logos with some family and friends tomorrow. And then my husband and I will be considering our options over the weekend and will post a decision by Sunday. We have many wonderful logos from which to choose. Thank you!

Pam

pamiata
01-31-2007, 12:37 AM
Version 10



Very busy over the last few weeks, but that gave us a chance to talk about the logo designs with some friends and mull them over. After receiving many fabulous choices from the talented designers, we have chosen Message 40, Offbeat's version #10.

We would like some changes and options if that would be OK.

I'll send a follow-up email in a little bit.

Thanks again to everyone. And looking forward to working with Offbeat on wrapping up the logo.

Pam

OffbeatDesign
01-31-2007, 06:09 AM
Thanks Pam. Please send over any changes needed and I'll take care of it for you.

Jeff

pamiata
02-01-2007, 10:35 AM
Offbeat, we like this logo as is, but I would like a couple of variations:

First, we sometimes need a one line logo for print ads. Could you rearrange things and give us an alternate logo?

Also, for web usage, I would like to have a logo with a gradient or other special effect. Was wondering what you might suggest?

Thanks for your help,
Pam

OffbeatDesign
02-01-2007, 11:14 AM
Thanks Pam. Here are the requested options. I can provide any and all with the original logo.

pamiata
02-04-2007, 09:47 AM
Thanks Offbeat for the additional versions as they've help me figure out what I need. As I don't have the ability to edit these logos, but yet need to use them everywhere including our web-site, print ads, as well as in printed materials that I develop using Microsoft Publisher, I'm trying to anticipate my future needs.

So this is the list:

1) 2 line - solid color - already done and perfect!
2) 2 line - with a full-color or gradient effect (not sure of the terminology) - see comments below
3) 1 line - solid color - see comments below
4) 1 line - with a full-color or gradient effect - new request (last one, but should be easy once we figure out #2 and #3)

I would also like to see versions in grey scale as these logos will be used in b/w newspaper and phonebook ads.

So, after looking at the last 2 versions, I have some requests:

I like the idea of the shadowing in V13, but I don't like the outline affect. I'm guessing you added the outline because the color was so pale at the beginning of the swoosh. Would it be possible to try another effect without an outline?

The 1 line logo in v14 is terrific, but the "Vacuum" word seems very bold when positioned this way. Do you think a slightly lighter weight (less bold?) version of this font would work? And still provide contrast?

Thank you so much for your continued efforts on my project,
Pam

nhr
02-04-2007, 01:53 PM
Project Update: This project has been moved to the Revisions Forum.

Client please post a message after you have downloaded your files. Thank you

OffbeatDesign
02-04-2007, 04:47 PM
Thanks Pam. Let me know what you think of these.

pamiata
02-05-2007, 03:53 PM
Thanks very much for the new versions:

#15 .... The lighter font used for Vacuum now looks anemic. What do you suggest? Is the original font combination the best? I actually like it a lot and am ready to go with this logo as is. Just a bit concerned about the boldness of Vacuum relative to A Plus. Would a special effect (gradient, shading,etc) in the color make a difference?

#16 .... Could the right-hand end of the swirl be darkened a touch to provide greater contrast to the lighter end and medium middle?


Thank you, thank you !
Pam

OffbeatDesign
02-05-2007, 04:46 PM
Thanks Pam. I don't think it's too heavy on the font. Better to keep it consistent. Here are the revisions.

Jeff

pamiata
02-05-2007, 07:59 PM
Jeff, I agree, it's better to be consistent. I really, really like the shaded affect on the Vacuum. Looks good. I'm ready to call it done now with just one more request. On the stacked logo with the shadow, the reflection is distracting with the other things going on, would like it better without -- a little simpler.

So if you could, I would like the 4 versions: 2 line with and without gradient and 1 line with and without gradient. Plus grey-scale and black/white versions.

Thank you very much,
Pam

pamiata
02-05-2007, 08:21 PM
Jeff, regarding files types: I know you'll be including various files.

Will there be a file type that I'll be able to scale up and down a bit in size and use myself in Microsoft Word and Microsoft Publisher for printed materials? And I'm assuming that I'll have jpeg files (or equivalent) with transparent background that I'll be able to use on a web-site?

I apologize for the newby questions, but I'm still learning about the various file types associated with design.

Thanks again for your help,
Pam

OffbeatDesign
02-06-2007, 06:46 AM
Files sent. Please check your messages for a download link and instructions. Thanks again!

pamiata
02-06-2007, 01:59 PM
Jeff, I've received the files and they're perfect. Thanks very much for going above and beyond!

Best regards,
Pam

BlueCherryGraphics
03-02-2007, 08:42 AM
PROJECT UPDATE: This thread has been moved to Logo Project Archives.