Need help with new business/$250 reward

[allstar]

(Admin code added by Palmer - S162654Y)

Hello everyone,
I have recently entered the landscaping business and I need a logo or design to be used in various areas to market my business:e.g.,on the side of a trailer or truck,on uniforms worn by my employees,on uniforms worn by baseball or soccer teams that I might sponsor,yellow page phonebook ad,etc.I would like for this design to be recognizable and associated with my company the same way ,say,
the Nike logo is recognized.That may be wishful thinking but you get the point.
I will try to be as clear and give you as much information as possible.The name of my company is Allstar Landscaping.I chose this name because I like sports and am very active in youth baseball(coaching and as a sponsor).So I would like a design that depicts landscaping and also sports,preferably baseball.One very vague example might be a picture of a star and inside the star a picture of a house,yard and a tree.I don't want to limit your creativity and imagination in any way,though,so just something that possibly depicts landscaping with a sports theme of some kind,and then along with the design(above or below)some little catchy slogan like,"Landscaping that's outta here".I know that's corny but you see what I mean.As for colors,definitely green,brown and maybe red.If there's one thing I would like for a design to say(if that's possible) is QUALITY.
So I will let you go to work as best you can with the information provided.Thanks for your help. Jim

[Taldo]

hi!

[Hypnosis]

Hello Jim,
Here's a try... (I'd like some feedback) ;)
Hyp!

[Huhhso]

HI, here's my entry
Thanks!



Nice entry coredesign!

[ejlain]

Hi. Here are a few initial ideas.

Thanks.

Ed

[Bill]

Here's an idea for you...

Bill...
Penny Lane Graphics

[Raja]

nice one penny

[KelliShaver]

Here's mine. :)

<img src='http://www.kellishaver.com/misc/allstar.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Taldo]

:)

[allstar]

Wow!You guys are awesome.I've been really busy for the last couple of days but after today(9/12) I'll have time to get back with you about these designs.If I had to pick one right now that is the most what I'm looking for it would be #4 by Bill.I want to get feedback from a number of people,though,before I make a final decision.I like ALL of them...nice,nice work and thank-you . Jim

[Radu]

Wait for me :)

[Raja]

hi!

[ElKootcho]

attempting to make your decision more difficult... :D

[Eagle]

*
Nice one Kootch - :notworthy: Ssshmokin'! <img src='http://www.jms101.btinternet.co.uk/basic_sets/gold/circular_bold_std/grin.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[ElKootcho]

Thanks Eagle.

Here's another variation...

<img src='http://smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/asl_02.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Michael]

Hello


<img src='http://www.2square.co.uk/contests/allstar.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />


Michael

[Michael]

All black...

<img src='http://www.2square.co.uk/contests/allstar_black.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />


Michael

[allstar]

Hi guys,
Thanks so much for all the good work.I never posted any kind of deadline for this contest but I would like to select a final design within say 2 weeks.I don't want to rush it but I do need to begin marketing my business ASAP and would like to have a design to use for some of the types of advertising that I have in mind.For the next couple of days at least I would like to continue to see some more new designs and new ideas.I may send privare messages to some of you.
For starters,let's lose "landscaping that's outta here".I never really wanted to use that particular slogan.I just used it as an example because I was thinking about incorporating some catchy little phrase into the design but after thinking about it have decided I don't want any slogans at all,just a design along with the name of the company.
There IS something new I would like for ya'll to draw for me.Have you ever seen a picture of a baseball player after hitting a home run?A good example would be Barry Bonds.You know the way he poses after completing his swing?I want to see a drawing of that fully extended follow-through.Now this could just be a stick figure:the simplest drawing possible that clearly conveys this.It's just an idea but I might want to insert this into the design.Instead of the figure holding a bat,maybe a rake or a weedeater or nothing.
I don't want to get too hung up on this design having a sports "flavor" because this is a landscaping company but I at least want to TRY to use it to get my message across.When people look at my design I want things like "quality","success","the best" and things like that to come to mind.At the same time I want the design to be as simple as possible.
Finally,I'm totally open to suggestions.If you think some of my ideas absolutely suck feel free to say so.Thanks for all your help. Jim

[ElKootcho]

How about all the designs previously posted? Any of them interesting to you or should we all start anew?

[allstar]

After looking at the various designs I've decided on some basic characteristics I would like for mine to have.The designs that appeal to me the most have "allstar landscaping" on the bottom,a large star above and various little things in and aroud the star and the lettering.As for colors,I definitely want green and brown but I also like the way red looks on several of the designs.Also,I would like to see how gold would look because I want the design to signify quality.I may have overemphasized my desire for the design to have a "sports flavor".I want it to mainly SAY landscaping and anything that says sports should be subtle.That's all for now.Thanks.

[Raja]

hi, in contrast to my horrendous previous entry, this one exemplifies more quality :D

[Bill]

Here are some variations on my original design...

[ElKootcho]

another look from me!

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/asl_03.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Raja]

howdy partnah' quality in detail :)

[Raja]

hiya

of course, I had to include the mandatory typo :)

[ElKootcho]

Do you have a specific number of color that you'd like for this logo? (ie: 2-color? 4-color?)

[Bill]

Revised logo...

[ElKootcho]

A word about color. For the logos below I've specified Pantone spot colors which insures color accuracy and lower printing costs (usually. Depends on your printer). What you are viewing on screen is converted to RGB (red, green, blue) and is not an accurate representation of the true color called for in the source file. In fact, if you view the image below on 4 seperate computers you're likely to see 4 different shade of color. This is because PCs, Macs, and different monitor manufacturers all show RBG color differently. A good way to think about this is when you're in the TV section of your local electronics store. Notice that they have 50 TVs playing the same show and they all look a little different? Same thing with computer screens.

I highly suggest that once you choose a design, head down to your local printer, screen printer or embroidery vendor and ask to see their Pantone Swatch book so you can verify that the color is to your liking before dropping the cash for printing. The colors are simple to change. Settle on design, get the color as close as possible and then tweak with help from your vendor.

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/asl_04.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[ElKootcho]

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/asl_05.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Huhhso]

Different Ideas

[Just_G]

:eye:

[allstar]

First,I would like to thank everyone for their efforts.I believe that I have all the information I need to make my final decision.I'm about 90% sure of what that decision is but before I announce it would like to tell you I've decided to "sweeten the deal" and award additional prize money.This is the breakdown:
Winner- $250
2nd place-$125
3rd place-$75
There were a number a excellent designs submitted during contest,any of which I would have been proud to use in my new business.One,however,appeals to me a LITTLE bit more.Like I said,my mind isn't totally made up but I'm very close.I would like to keep in touch with a number of you guys for possible future projects.I do have a couple of questions:
1.)I'm not quite sure how to deposit the additional money($200).Palmer responded to my question but I'm still not clear about how to do it.
2.)Could I have the final design shipped to me?I'll be happy to pay for any shipping charges.I would like to have a "master copy" to use for various things.I'm concerned about how it will look if I simply print it out on my computer.
I'll make my final decision in the next day or two.Thanks again for all the good work. Jim

[Palmer]

To answer your first question. Go to the following page, put the number 200 in the box next to the word logo and click next...
http://www.designoutpost.com/post.htm

What that does is put more money into the Design Outpost PayPal account so I can then pay the 2nd and 3rd place winners.

For the second question, the logo design is an electronic file. In other words it is a bunch of bytes. There is nothing to ship. The designer will send you the winning design in various file formats via email and you would transfer to a floppy disk or cd and give to your printer or whoever needs your logo to duplicate for business cards, vinyl stickers etc.

[allstar]

Palmer,
I understand.Also,I have deposited the additional prize money and will announce the winners tomorrow,Sunday(9/21) before 9:00 A.M. EST, along with my final instructions. Jim

[allstar]

The winners are as follows:
1st place($250)-Bill(Pennylane Graphics)
2nd place($125)-Raja
3rd place($75)-ElKootcho
Congratulations,Bill.While all the designs were good,yours just appealed to me a little bit more.Raja and Kootch,your designs were excellent as well so I wanted to reward you for your time and efforts,too.
Bill,I would like to have all of those designs that you made toward the end of the contest sent to me.There is a page you submitted with 3 variations and another final design after I asked you to put grass around the letters.I would like to have all 4 of those.Thanks and good luck.
Raja and Kootch,I would like to have your last designs as well to keep for possible future ideas and projects.Raja,I liked the last 2 that you submitted and Kootch,I would like to have the very last one you submitted with the different color combinations.Thanks and the best to you as well.
Palmer,I'm assuming that I am entitled to receive designs from everyone I paid.I'm sure I'll use Bill's for my logo but would like to have the other guys work,too.Let me know if you need anything else from me.You have my e-mail adress,right.Thanks. Jim

[Palmer]

Bill,I would like to have all of those designs that you made toward the end of the contest sent to me.There is a page you submitted with 3 variations and another final design after I asked you to put grass around the letters.I would like to have all 4 of those.Thanks and good luck.

The prize was for 1 logo, it would be up to Bill if he provides 4. Same goes for the 2 you want from Raja.

Palmer,I'm assuming that I am entitled to receive designs from everyone I paid.I'm sure I'll use Bill's for my logo but would like to have the other guys work,too.Let me know if you need anything else from me.

Actually no. The designers have the rights to the logos. They sign them over to the contest holder if they are chosen as the winner. Regarding the 2nd and third place winners sending their logos as well, I would need them to give me the ok in this thread and I will pay them if they agree to provide you with 1 version (in varying formats) of the logo you chose.

If they don't agree (and I don't see why they woudn't) I will refund your money for 2nd and 3rd. Raja and Kootch you can just reply to this message with your approval and I'll send the money.

Thanks Jim.

Congrats Bill, nice work :tup:

[allstar]

Palmer,
I realize that I'm not 'entitled' to these things I'm asking for but I feel like they are totally reasonable requests sinced I awarded additional prize money.I'm asking for a little more than usual but I paid more,too.That's all.
I'm very happy with how things turned out and was quite impressed with the talent here. Jim

[Palmer]

I understand. I was just letting you know it's not my decision to make. Personally I don't have any problems with your requests but it's not my call :)

We'll wait and see what the designers say and I'll go from there.

[Raja]

I'll give him whatever he needs. This contest holder has given the biggest payout ever in logos. Uprecedented.


Kootch, who's this new Bill guy??? :rip:

[ElKootcho]

Fine by me Palmer.

Is this the one you want, Allstar?

<img src='http://www.smallbusinessstyle.com/DesignOutpost/asl_04.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[imageconstrux]

All-Star,

Great contest!! Looks like you got loads of quality work. And I'm sure the designers appreciate your generosity, adding a prize for 2nd and 3rd place.

Looks like the you really are in the 'green' industry. :D

[Palmer]

Ok, looks like all is well with the designers. I'll take care of the prize money later this evening.

[allstar]

Kootch,
The design with the red letters at the top of your last post is the one I would like to have,please.Nice job,thanks and good luck to you.
Raja,
I sent you a PM but just in case it didn't go through,the design I would like from you is at the bottom of the 2nd page and on the right-hand side of your post.Could you insert a little' homerun guy' inside the star,add another "t" to outa(making it outta) and send the design to me,please?Thanks and best wishes to you,too.