[Project Complete]Feb4th:Logo Needed Fert-Tek $130.00

[Ferttek]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 46E04597LT3267744)

Project due February 4th.
Hello, I am Dave Palmeri the owner/operator of a start-up lawn fertilization business looking to brand its name with a professional logo. The name of the business is Fert-Tek and I plan on putting the new logo on a variety of advertising media. For starters I plan on a two sided postcard design after the logo is created. I then plan on vehicle and trailer signage, business cards letterhead, door hangers and a brochure. Unfortunately, I have a limited budget with a lot of work ahead of me so I appologize for not being able to offer a larger prize but, other contests to come....

Almost forgot, I am a full time firefighter working 24 hrs on and 48 hrs off so I my not be able to work with the designers on the days I am at the firehouse. I DO plan on working with and guiding each designer on my likes and dislikes as much as I can.

Thanks in advance for your all your efforts!

[Palmer]

If you have the time, the designers would like to have the answers to the following questions to help get them started on the right track...
http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showthread.php?t=7819

Thank you :)

[Ferttek]

Sorry, I was expecting a questionaire like I saw in other contests. Here is additional information you may want to help with the design.
-Name of the business is Fert-tek and lawn and ornamental fertilization services can be included in the logo
-Tag line is, Make your neighbors green with envy
-I want to communicate to the customer that this is a professional fertilization business like some of the big guys true green chem lawn or scotts fertilization services. Services offered are obviously lawn and ornamental fertilization, weed, insect and fungus control, overseeding, and chemical edging.
-my target audience is middle and upper middle class consumers
- logo should look good in both small formats (business cards) and large formats such as vehicle and trailer signage
- I am open to all color combinations but they should be appropriate for a fertilization business and look good on a white vehicle and against the aluminum diamond plate on my trailer and in greyscale if possible.
- I am also open to almost all designs but do not want somthing cartoonish, I am looking for something more professional/corportate.
-I have seen other designs and the ones that had a grass like features seemed to catch my eye (See attached image), Medigraph I hope you submit something for my contest and for everyone else do not focus exclusively on this feature since you may also suggest something better that I havn't seen. Thanks

[Ferttek]

Here is the questionaire I was expecting sorry for my impatience.

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
Name of the business is Fert-tek and lawn and ornamental fertilization services can be included in the logo, Tag line is... Make your neighbors green with envy

What type of product or service do you offer?
I want to communicate to the customer that this is a professional fertilization business like some of the big guys true green chem lawn or scotts fertilization services. Services offered are obviously lawn and ornamental fertilization, weed, insect and fungus control, overseeding, and chemical edging.

How long have you been in business?
I have been in the lawn care industry for 20 plus years but want to grow and market the fertilization end of my business as its own entity.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
I want to communicate to the customer that this is a professional fertilization business like the big guys such as True Green Chem Lawn or Scotts fertilization services. Services offered are obviously lawn and ornamental fertilization, weed, insect and fungus control, overseeding, and chemical edging.
What are your long term goals?
Grow this part of the business through marketing and word of mouth and eventually get out of the maintenance end of the business (mow trim and blow).
When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
Deadline is February 4th
Audience Profile:
Residential and commercial properties, with middle and upper middle class consumers being my target to start, I will focus mostly in the town I live in to start and then grow the business into territories of similar families and business
Please describe your existing audience
same as above, residential and commercial properties with middle and upper middle class being my target audience

Who would you like to add to your audience?
Same as above again with the hope of word of mouth helping it along
Perception/Tone/Guidelines: Professional and reliable service with a personal one on one touch
What type of logo would you like? Professional / corporate, nothing cartoonish.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
None in particular and am open to almost all. The colors should look good with a white or aluminum diamond plate background. I do think that the colors of the Brazilian flag are catchy but do not want to focus exclusively on them.
Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
Once again not really but thought the image in the previous post was catchy but do not want it exclusively. I want to see different ideas that I havn't seen or considered
Communication Strategy:
One on one type business, with professional / quality service for the consumer.
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Will want this logo to set myself apart from the competition who mostly made their advertisements on a copy machine etc. Professional, corporate, trustworthy, value
What is your tagline or slogan?
Make your neighbors green with envy
What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience? Professional service with value in mind. Trustworthy and reliable service.

Where will your new logo be used?
I plan on putting the new logo on a variety of advertising media. For starters I plan on a two sided postcard design , vehicle and trailer signage, business cards letterhead, door hangers and a brochure.

Competitive Positioning:
No disrespect, but my competition is mostly workers coming up from Mexico with poor or no communication skills who are transient, what I mean by that is a different person shows up each time service is performed.
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
Some are ok but most are terrible and homemade.
List competitive URLs if possible

What sets you apart from your competitors?
I am the owner and operator, meaning I will be the one who does the work and takes the phone calls and service requests. Value, trust and reliability is important to me since I think the big companies are overcharging and providing poor service.
Targeted Message:
Make your neighbors green with envy
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:
Professional service with value for the consumer

[OffbeatDesign]

Thanks for posting the project. Version 1.

[Ferttek]

Offbeat, good start and thanks for participating. I will look for other logos that might have that look to them for you. Could you place .com in a smaller font in the logo next to Fert-Tek

I am also interested in seeing some original designs but like the grass detail and the gradient fill, colors are good. Could I see that drawing with a little more detail in the grass such as a inner line along its borders. I am also looking for some color combinations that catch my eye such as the colors in the Brazilian flag or lime and purple like gotjunk.com colors.

[Ferttek]

Offbeat, I like the detail on the k in lawn-tek's design and the color combinations in all of the attached designs look catchy. Hope it helps

[Blesseville]

Thanks for the invite. I am glad that you liked one of my earlier designs that I did for another company, and I'll be working on some original ideas tomorrow.

Medigraph I hope you submit something for my contest and for everyone else do not focus exclusively on this feature since you may also suggest something better that I havn't seen.

[OffbeatDesign]

Thanks for the feedback. Here's another version with the orange, blue, and green.

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 3

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 4

[Ferttek]

I like the revisions you did with the grass detail in message 9 and the .com on its side is a nice touch in message 11, but do not like the font used in 11 looks like bamboo.

[Ferttek]

Today 1-26, I am at the firehouse and might not be able to reply to some of your posts if we get busy. I will continue to check DO when I can tonight and will reply again tomorrow.

[OffbeatDesign]

No problem, that's easily changed. If you want to see the other color scheme, please let me know.

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 6

[Ratbaggy]

:)

An 'F' made from 2 blades of grass.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts and feedback.

Cheers,

Paul

[OffbeatDesign]

Two-tone grass on black circle

[Ferttek]

Offbeat, looking good, nice revisions.

Ratbaggy, I will need some time to look at yours. At first look, it didn't catch my eye but I am looking for different ideas such as yours and it may grow on me. Thanks for participating.

[Ferttek]

Two-tone grass on black circle
Offbeat could I see what this would look like with the grass a little longer (sticking out over the top of the circle) and with a little more curve to it?

[OffbeatDesign]

Great suggestion!

[Ferttek]

Looks great as is. I cant think of any revisions for that design I would like. Feel free to submit something if an idea comes to mind but looks good as is.

Thank you and good night!

[Fabian]

:)

[djaka]

another idea
:)

[Ferttek]

Fabian, I think Offbeat has nailed that style design if you wish to submit another design. I feel that any revisions to yours would be to make it look similar to his at this point.

[Ferttek]

another idea
:)
First look doesn't catch my eye, the first thing I thought of is the medicine that you take for indigestion, Alkaseltzer.
Maybe you could you offer other colors schemes for that design it might change my opinion..

[Blesseville]

Being the originator of the example design on msg #3, I decided to come up with my version of it.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft1.jpg

[Ferttek]

Nice design, couple revisions please, could I see that in a couple different color combinations, could you add the .com in a smaller font and on its side next to Fert-Tek like Offbeat did in his design, and finally I am going to ask all designers to include my tag line "make your neighbors green with envy" in their designs. I may wind up omitting this in the final revision but want to see it in the logo designs for consideration.

[Ferttek]

One more revision I would like to see. Not sure how it will look but could I see your design against a black background like a circle or oval something else? I like the way offbeats design jumps out at you. You guys have used similar colors. Thanks

[Blesseville]

Thank you for the feedback, below are my revisions. Please note that the designers are not allowed to share or borrow design elements during the project, therefore I wil not be placing .com just as Offbeat did, which is against the rules of DO.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft2.jpg

[Blesseville]

Color variant.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft3.jpg

[Blesseville]

Color variant.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft4.jpg

[Blesseville]

On black.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft5.jpg

[Ferttek]

I am digging your revision 5.0 with the black border. Not sure if this helps but I did ask Offbeat to put the .com in his design. Thanks for your submissions.

[Senter]

FERTTEK...
I will be submitting a design tonight. But mine will not look anything like Medi's original example concept as trying to do so will violate the DO Design Team Guidelines. This is not allowed, to copy anothers work.

[Fabian]

:)

[Blesseville]

Thank you for the feedback, please let me know if there is anything that I can do to improve v5.0 or any other version. About .com thing, I know that you asked for it, but I just cannot put it the same way (vertical).

I am digging your revision 5.0 with the black border. Not sure if this helps but I did ask Offbeat to put the .com in his design. Thanks for your submissions.

[Just J]

Ferttek,

The designers work independently and cannot use the design you posted as anything more then an example of what you are looking for in a logo. Each design posted here is under copyright by the original designer and cannot be copied.

Designer's.

Please feel free to use the example as a jumping off point to come up with your own original design.

Thank you.

Jason
Design Outpost Moderator

[Ferttek]

:)
Much better design for my taste, I seem to be partial to the greens but could you post that design with another color scheme. Maybe red, orange, purple or yellow or somthing that really contrasts each other but is also complimentary. I thought I saw a design that had a red with a lime detail once. I have been looking for it among old contests with no success. I do feel the yellow might get lost against a white background though. I also liked the shading that offbeat had in his last post, it made the grass blades in his design appear as if they were being hit by the sun and casting a shadow on itself. I aslso like the black edge that he put along the outside of the design. It also gave his grass more detail.

[Ferttek]

Color variant.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft4.jpg

In version 4.0 could I see the -Tek portion of that logo in black?

[Blesseville]

Sure.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft6.jpg

[Ferttek]

Looks good thanks for the quick reply. I may ask for a change in the way the tag line looks it seemed to get lost in the design. Maybe that is the point though, look at the logo not the tagline???

[Blesseville]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft7.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft8.jpg

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 9

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 10

[Ferttek]

Great suggestion!
My wife wants to see what version 8 will look like with the following changes; 1) place the words "lawn and ornamental fertilization services" above the word Fert-Tek with the same size lettring and font, and below the word Fert-Tek my tagline "Make your neighbors green with envy" in the the same size lettering and font with the word green in the color green 2) make all the grass with even more curve in it or from left to right each blade curves more than the last. Kind of like the wind is blowing it over. First one on the left pointing to 9:00 and the last one roughly where it is, 11:00. She thinks it currently looks like Freddy Kruegers hand. Both are not bad changes to me.
Because of these changes I am having trouble picturing the size of the logo. Do we need to make the circle and grass slightly larger to keep it proportionate? What dimentions will it have or should we work with that later if you win the contest. Thanks for your work and patience.

[OffbeatDesign]

Here's the revised version. Doesn't change the dimensions much. The logo has about a 3:1 ratio if that matters.

[Fabian]

:)

[Ferttek]

Nice touch with the gradient fill. Could you put a black border around the wavy detail, try a capital font, put a hyphen between Fert and Tek, Fert-tek and put a small .com in the design like the others have? Thanks for the original design.

[Fabian]

Thanks,here you go :)

[Ferttek]

Version 9
Thanks for making another submission but version 9 looks too much like other designs I have seen in my industry. I am looking for something more like your original design which is my wifes favorite. But want to thank you for submitting the extra designs since I will consider all submissions. I am still open to new ideas and designs though. Just didn't want to waste your time working on that one. Thank you for your efforts!

[Ferttek]

Thanks,here you go :)
I like the font and .com changes but would like to see the black highlight around each wave individually. Thanks again for the original design.

[Ferttek]

Here's the revised version. Doesn't change the dimensions much. The logo has about a 3:1 ratio if that matters.
One more revision to request. Could you make the blades of grass a little fatter and/or less pointy on top please keep the two tone detail if you can.

[Fabian]

:)

[Ferttek]

Thanks for making the revisions, looks better but I do not like the white space between the waves. I thought the black border would have filled that in. Also missed this one, please include the words "lawn and ornamental fertilization services" in the design. Some people might look at the desing and not know what service I am trying to sell them.

Question for you and the other designers. Have I been asking for too many revisions for these designs? It helps me to see the changes incrementally. Otherwise I feel that if I make too many changes at once I might goof the design up and not be able to undo a part of it in my head. I guess I am a visual person, it helps to see each revision.

Fabian and Offbeat, I think you guys are really close on your designs and have both made exceptional logos for me to choose. At this point it is a three horse race between you guys and Mediagraph. Thank you for your efforts! I also realize you guys are involved in other contests and do not want to occupy too much of your time, so thanks for coming back to this contest when I have requested changes.

I am off to the Firehouse today 1/29/2007, I will try to check the contest when I can. Unfortunately, I may not be able to check it as often as I would like.

[Fabian]

Hey there,

Im fine with one or two more revisions,i'll revise the logomark later tonight to tighten uo the waves as suggested and include the added tagline.

Thanks
Fabian

[OffbeatDesign]

No problem on the revisions. Here's the rounded/fatter grass. If it gets rounder/fatter it stops looking like grass. Thanks.

[Fabian]

:)

[Ferttek]

No problem on the revisions. Here's the rounded/fatter grass. If it gets rounder/fatter it stops looking like grass. Thanks.

Sorry, I used the wrong words. I should have asked for blades of grass that weren't as pointy on top, the change in the blade thickness looks good.

[OffbeatDesign]

version 13

[OffbeatDesign]

and even less pointy

[Ferttek]

Here's the revised version. Doesn't change the dimensions much. The logo has about a 3:1 ratio if that matters.

Could I see this design (version 11) with the grass curling to the right instead of the left? I have not received any new designs or submissions lately and your design is me and my wifes favorite. Should I wait until the contest ends to make additional revisions with you if needed, or do you want me to suggest them as they come to me? At this point I am learning what I do not like more than what I want. Thanks for your patience and hard work on my contest again.

PS, I plan on doing a two sided postcard design contest almost immediately after this contest ends. I will offer the winning designer first opportunity at this project before listing it as a new contest.

One question I forgot to ask all the designers which would apply to your design if it is the winner. Will each element of the design be available to me as well as the complete design? ie. the grass and circle design seperate from the wording. I plan on having shirts printed with the entire logo on the back and the logo minus the wording on the sleeve or left brest or some combination.

[OffbeatDesign]

No problem on the changes. Once you choose a final design you will still have the opportunity to tweak anything you want.

You will also receive files of each element, both separate and together if desired. Your shirt printer would also be able to modify anything you need.

[OffbeatDesign]

One more facing in from the other side

[Ferttek]

No problem on the changes. Once you choose a final design you will still have the opportunity to tweak anything you want.

You will also receive files of each element, both separate and together if desired. Your shirt printer would also be able to modify anything you need.

Could I see this design with the grass standing more upright instead of leaning over. Kind of like all blades are the same height but are still being blown over a little

[djaka]

:)

[djaka]

:) :)

[OffbeatDesign]

Could I see this design with the grass standing more upright instead of leaning over. Kind of like all blades are the same height but are still being blown over a little

Here you go. Thanks.

[djaka]

different direction,
modern and more specific icon
:)
any comments are appreciated
thank you

[Ferttek]

different direction,
modern and more specific icon
:)
any comments are appreciated
thank you
Nice original design, but the F looks like a pipe wrench and the grassy detail looks too similar to Offbeats. One detail that always seems to catch my eye in other designs that might help you is the shading on the grass, offered by offbeat. It creates the illusion of a three dimensional design. Kind of jumps off the page a little more.

[Ferttek]

Ladies and gentleman plese get your final submissions / revisions in for this contest please. I will make my decision and announce the winning design tomorrow before the superbowl pre-game starts. Being from Chicago I will be OOS until monday most likely. GO BEARS!

[Ferttek]

No problem on the changes. Once you choose a final design you will still have the opportunity to tweak anything you want.

You will also receive files of each element, both separate and together if desired. Your shirt printer would also be able to modify anything you need.


Offbeat, yours will most likely be the winning design as I mentioned before. Only few submissions lately from others.

I definitely like the written part of the desingn but still cant decide on what version of the grass I like. I like the two tone grass coloring and the black background but still want to change the grass. You do not have to make changes to the design but could you offer me a couple options that will fit in with the rest of your work. Maybe versions three or fours might look good or this versions grass inside of the black square of three or four. I will try to find a design here that has something that catches my eye. I will post it if I find it.

I realize I had plenty of time to make these request and may have to settle but thought I would ask. Hope you understand.

[Ferttek]

I searched for over an hour for something different and couldn't find anything that cought my eye. Do you have any images that look like a flower ,similar to the attachments? That might also look good

11th hour and I am being a pain in the ***, sorry!

[Blesseville]

Two examples being my previous work, I though I should give another shot for this project.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft9.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft10.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft11.jpg

[OffbeatDesign]

Still maintaining a grass look

[OffbeatDesign]

Grass/mower blade

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 20

[OffbeatDesign]

with the black circle

[OffbeatDesign]

22

[OffbeatDesign]

23

[Ferttek]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft11.jpg

Try this design with the tag line beneath it like the other one you did

[OffbeatDesign]

24

[OffbeatDesign]

Version 25

[Ferttek]

24

Well done offbeat, this design has instantly replaced the one we have been working on for the last week no revisions needed. It looks more natural and not invented. Like I said I learned more about what I didn't like in a design as much as what I did.

[Ferttek]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft10.jpg

Well done as well, you have made this a competition again thank you. I like this design as is.

[Ferttek]

Offbeat and Mediagraph, I have seen some designers place their logos on some advertising media to show how their finished design will look. If you guys are able to put the following designs (Offbeat Version 24 and Mediagraph Version 10) on some objects that would help me picture the finished product. I plan on putting this design on a white pickup, T-shirts, business cards, letterhead and postcards to start. I am not asking you to design those media, that will come later but if you have something generic that would be great.

[OffbeatDesign]

As requested. Layout can go either stacked or horizontal. Thanks.

[OffbeatDesign]

Oh, before you do ANYTHING else, I highly recommend that you register the domain name you're looking for. It's still available, but you never know when someone else will register it. It's easy to do and ensures that the domain will be yours. The last thing you want, is to decide on a company name and logo, then find out that the domain is already taken.

[Ferttek]

offbeat, I have that on my radar somthing keeps coming up and you are right I need to get that done asap.

[OffbeatDesign]

No problem. It takes 5 minutes. I've known people who went through a whole branding process, only to find out that the domain they thought was available was taken by someone else.

[Ferttek]

Done, thanks for the heads up.

[Ferttek]

As requested. Layout can go either stacked or horizontal. Thanks.
Thanks that definitely helps. Sorry we didn't come up with this design earlier. It looks much better than the first design you posted which I also like.

[Blesseville]

This is version 11 with the tagline.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft11-1.jpg

[Blesseville]

And applications of v10.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft10-ts.jpg

[Blesseville]

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft10-ot.jpg

[Ferttek]

And applications of v10.

http://www.blesseville.com/do/ft10-ts.jpg

Thanks for putting the immages on those media. I have a question about the colors in the images. The black t-shirt has some white lettering for contrast and the white t-shirt has black lettering for the same reason. If yours is the winning design will both color schemes be part of the winning package? I also noticed on the left border of the picture frame you send that there is a blue and pink in the design, where is it, or was that a typo?

[Ferttek]

I will make my decision shortly after the real boss wakes up (WIFE) and looks at the final designs you guys submitted. I wish I could use both they are both outstanding and better than I could have hoped for. Thank you!

I will also try to let you know what type of files will be needed from the printers. If I cant get that information today how much time do I have to get it.

[Ferttek]

Fellas, through their websites I was able to find the type of files needed for printing and silkscreaning.

The vehicle signage company needs either EPS or AI files
The Printer needs AI 9.0, Adobe Photoship 6.0, or Corel Draw
The silkscreaner needs Corel Draw 9, Adobe Illustrator, EPS

Do these file types raise any concerns?

[Blesseville]

Yes, I will be including both color schemes.

Those colors on the left are to show that the design is a full-color application, in other words CMYK (Cyan-Magenta-Yellow and BlacK). Use of full color is due to gradients in the logo. If mine is the winning design, I will also be including solid color versions of the logo (those I show on the lower left), which does not use any gradients.

And with regard to file formats you mentioned, no problem at all :)


Thanks for putting the immages on those media. I have a question about the colors in the images. The black t-shirt has some white lettering for contrast and the white t-shirt has black lettering for the same reason. If yours is the winning design will both color schemes be part of the winning package? I also noticed on the left border of the picture frame you send that there is a blue and pink in the design, where is it, or was that a typo?

[OffbeatDesign]

Those are the standard file types you would receive. Thanks.

[Ferttek]

The queen is up and has spoken. Let me qualify that by saying we both agree that Offbeat and Medigraph have designed better designs than we could have hoped for. Unfortunately there is only one winner Thank you both for putting in your efforts and artistic tlents. I especially want to thank you Offbeat since you had the patience to work with me so much on a design that wasn't in the running in the end (the one with the grass detail) final one was great though. I will recommend DO and both of you to anyone looking for quality work in the future.

We have decided that Medigraph Version 10 is the winner of this contest. Thank you Mediagraph and congratulations.

[Blesseville]

Thank you. I'll provide you with a link to download the files as soon as possible.

[Blesseville]

I sent you a private message (PM) with information to download the necessary files. You can check it here: http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/private.php?

Regards.

[nhr]

Project Update:
This project has been moved to the Revisions Forum.

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

[Ferttek]

Project complete and all files have been downloaded.

Thank you to DO, Medigraph and your talented staff of designers for a job well done. Next project on deck is a postcard contest. See you soon.