[PC] Due: Jan 10 - $250 - New Private Sober College - "BloomTree"

[markmcg]

Admin code added by Abby - 588136428M046310P

Project Summary:

What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
BloomTree Learning Community (2 Capital letters in BloomTree)

What type of product or service do you offer?
We are a new private one-year college for young adults in recovery from addiction.

How long have you been in business?
We are a startup.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
We are opening a HIGHLY CREATIVE, artistic, technologically advanced, environmentally sustainable and service oriented campus where young people who have been clean and sober for at least a year can really discover what they love and where they excel.

What are your long term goals?
To be considered the best college for relevant engaging learning, to have major universities and corporations waiting in line to hire and attract our graduates, be the best place in the world for passionate teachers to thrive.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
January 10, 2008

Audience Profile:

Please describe your existing audience
Potential Student, Parents and family members of potential students, and educational consultants, counselors, and other referring professionals.


Perception/Tone/Guidelines:

What type of logo would you like?
Something cutting edge, creative with a "cool" factor.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
maybe green and other earth tones to emphasize the sustainability and green technology going into the design and building process, but we are open to suggestion.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
maybe a tree based on the name of the school "BloomTree Learning Community", but we are really open to anything at this early stage. One of the things that excited us was the idea of "fractals" Here is a url we loved because of its interactive nature and the sense it gives of possibility. http://www.webcalc.net/calc/0467.php

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Creativity, sustainability, high-tech media savvy, service and community based philosophy.

What is your tagline or slogan?
Have not decided on one yet and we are open to input.
(maybe: "learning to live a life that matters")

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?
BloomTree is a cutting edge college that will help students find the direction they will head for the next stages of their lives, and they will graduate with the skills and experience to be successful in life, in service and in creating and sustaining a real sense of community.

Where will your new logo be used?
Website design, letterhead, and all varieties of clothing, school gear and marketing materials.

Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
There are no real competitors for exactly what we are doing but the closest thing we know of is sobercollege.com and their logo is not really what we are looking for. it seems too traditional for us.


What sets you apart from your competitors?
Our startup is very unique and has been under careful development for three years. The main differences are the sober, high tech, green conscious, and global vision we are proposing for expansion.

Targeted Message:
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:
"Sober Launch pad"

There are 5 people involved in this process and who may give some feedback or suugestions along with me. the 5 user names are "btnick", "btmolly", "btsusan" and "btlynette" besides my own "markmcg"

[markmcg]

We also need the design to be formatted as a vertical and horizontal banner as well as a block like logo.

[Bill]

Here's my entry...
Happy Holidays!

[markmcg]

Thanks Bill for getting us started. I am excited about the process.

[Leclerk]

Can you elaborate this further?
"We also need the design to be formatted as a vertical and horizontal banner as well as a block like logo."

[markmcg]

What I mean is that we need a logo that can easily transfer to letterhead as well as a web site and marketing material like say an embroidered shirt pocket. I guess three separate designs...one that could fit on a shirt pocket, one that could vertically fit as a sidebar on a web site and one like a horizontal banner on top of letterhead. I hope that clears it up. Thanks.

[markmcg]

Bill, I think we are looking for something a more sophisticated and cutting edge. This would be great for when we open a school for younger kids. we need something that will catch the eye of a young adult who is very connected to current pop culture.

[Leclerk]

Primary vertical logo...straight up tree...

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_01.jpg

[Leclerk]

and secondary, horizontal logo...

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_01b.jpg

[Leclerk]

and second concept.. complete change...

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_02.jpg

[Leclerk]

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_02b.jpg

Cheers,
Bojan

[tini1]

:)

[markmcg]

I really like where this is going! We have also been inspired by the idea of incorporating the 4 seasons some how....

[tini1]

going UP....

[shnickerdoodle studios]

One from me..
Thanks,
Deanna

[markmcg]

I like 12 and 15 the best so far. thanks a lot.

[plum74]

version 1

[plum74]

v2

[Fabian]

Hello

[Fabian]

version 2

[plum74]

Here's my try again. Thank you.

Happy Holidays:wee:

[Leclerk]

#3

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_03.jpg

[tini1]

a variation...added tagline:)

[LutFi]

Version # 1.

Thank you.
LutFi.

[btmolly]

Plum74 version 2. I really like the sense of "ta da", of celebration that comes from the image of the T as tree/ person arms uplifted, blooming. That captures what our students and facilitators will be feeling.

I wonder if adding roots in the images would work? We want our students to feel that when they deepen their roots in good living and learning practices they can creatively stretch into more challenging experiences.

[plum74]

Hello. here's my revised emblem. I added the roots of a tree. thank you for your feedback. Happy Holidays:)

[plum74]

:)v5

[btmolly]

Plum74 thanks for your lovely roots, so quickly added. I loved the idea of the leaf on the r but I wonder if it might cause some misreading of the word Tree? Might it be read as a P and thus break up the word?

I wonder if it could be possible to have the roots blend into or even form some of the letters of Learning Community?

[btmolly]

Please consider these comments for the next designs.

Hone each concept down to it's simplest conceptual ingredients - don't try to include too many base concepts within any one combination of logo and logotype

Be very cautious about combining the logo and logotype (i.e., substituting the logo for a letterform) for the following reasons:
ease of reading the organization name
speed of recognition
risk of confusing the reader
clarity and simplicity of message

When conceiving the graphic for the BloomTree logo consider:
all future methods of reproduction including: offset printing, laser and inkjet printing, online, video, animation, silk-screening, embroidery
all sizes at which a logo may be rendered, including: small (business card) to large (event banners and signage systems)

Present each logo/logotype designs in color and black and white - and post reduced sizes for example
Apply thought to composition of the logotype including:
font
stroke weight
letterform x-height
letter spacing
kerning

Consider instances where the logo and logotype may not be able to be adjacent to each other - i.e., a long and skinny promotional item such as a pen or a walking staff
Delivering a written supporting rational is very helpful for us to see your thinking in words.
Many thanks!

[plum74]

hello sorry to kept you wait.. Here's my updated logo. Thank you :)

[markmcg]

We have lots of discussions today about what we see happening, and we are intrigued by message 23 by logoholic and the "sprout" logo. Can you give us another variation or two on that same idea?

We have also decided to go away from turning any symbols into letters on the logo, so please limit new ideas to logos that clearly spell out "BloomTree". We do like some of those ideas and would just like to see the sybol or picture separate from the title itself.

[markmcg]

Plum, We like what you are doing here. Molly and I just talked and have had second thoughts about the roots. They are becoming a bit of a visual distraction for us, although it really speaks to our message. Keep going with the image and word separate. Thanks so much.

[plum74]

variations

[plum74]

:) variations

[plum74]

one more thank you:)

[Leclerk]

Thanks. Here are some variations...

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_04.jpg

[Leclerk]

http://www.logoholik.com/do/logoholik_bloomtree_05.jpg

Cheers,
Bojan

[markmcg]

Hi Plum, We are sitting here enjoying the new stuff...can you play with #35 msg a bit, maybe connecting the tree and the circle? we are interested in tying in the universe to the tree somehow.

We also like the variations on the sprout from logoholic.

Thank you for this work, it is adding to our whole process here.

[plum74]

no problem markmcg. I'm updating my concept/s right away:)Thank you for opportunity

[plum74]

gud evening.

here's my schematic designs. Thank you

a logo symbolizes an "exuberance/ successful in life"

[plum74]

color variation:)

[plum74]

here's my try again:)

[tini1]

simple.......:)

[btmolly]

We are getting excited about the circular logos next to the name. We are wondering if you could take a shot at the Celtic Tree of Life?

Without the outer ring just the branches becoming the roots and the roots becoming the branches. Something elegantly simply. We have 8 core principles so if there could be 8 branches it would be sweet.

[plum74]

Hi Btmolly,

Thanks for the comments and suggestions, I will work on your idea.

I'm sorry, designers are not allowed to communicate privately while the contest is ongoing and we are required to post messages sent via pm from clients on the forum.

Received private message from client:

Plum,

You have been doing such good work for us. Would you be willing to take a shot at one last idea?

Mark and I and I love the Tree of Life from the Celtic tradition. If you Google Celtic Tree of Life Flag it will take you to as site with a fairly simple version. Would you have time to tweek it into your own and put that next to the words BloomTree Learning Community? Not as part of the word itself but to the left. We have 8 core principles so if you can show ( like the one on the site) 8 branches it would be awesome.

I can also send you the word doc with the image. IF you send me your email. I am at [email omitted]

[btmolly]

Plum,

Thanks for the clarification of the guidelines. Looking forward to seeing everyone's work.

Molly

[plum74]

:)

[btmolly]

Hello here's my revisions. Symetrical & Intricate
:)

http://www.flagtelecom.com/media/PDF_files/FLAG%20Brand%20Elements%20v5%20Apr%202005.pdf

Plum74. thanks for your latest. Please take a look at this image of the Tree of Life on this site..it is just the tree, not so explicitly human, roots and leaves. Thanks.

[btmolly]

you are on the right track with the tree of life motif. We are looking for something very similar to [URL=http://www.flagtelecom.com] page 5 image of the tree of life.
We really like something very close to that put to the left of our name. 8 branches above and 8 roots below branches and roots join in a circle. Thanks very much!

[plum74]

Thanks

[btmolly]

Thanks so much. We are excited to see what you dol

[plum74]

:)

[markmcg]

Plum, This is getting so cool! Thank you for the hard work!

[plum74]

You are very welcome :yes:
Thank you for the opportunity.

regards,
Plum74

[markmcg]

Thank You everyone for your entries and the help you have given our thought process. we have chosen PLUM74 to meet us in the revisions forum and design our final logo. Congratulations and Thank you. The BloomTree team

[plum74]

Thank you for choosing my work. I shall await further instructions for fine tuning. :)

[btmolly]

Thank you for choosing my work. I shall await further instructions for fine tuning. :)

Plum74 we will meet and discuss tomorrow but in general we will ask for a more streamlined look with fewer leaves, all leaves the same color and the whole image smaller relative to the words BloomTree. We will give more specific info after our meeting tomorrow. You have been a delight to work with.

Molly

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Congratulations Plum.

This thread has been moved to Revisions.

Molly, please post a note in the thread once you receive the finals.

Thanks! :)

[btmolly]

Will do, Jennifer. You will hear from me or from Mark our marketing wizard. We are pretty darn excited about our "soon to be born" logo. Images and symbols are jet fuel for the imagination.

[plum74]

:)

[plum74]

variations

[btmolly]

Hi Plum,

Here is the feedback we have gathered. Hope you are willing to do a few more tweeks. Basically the feedback is that it needs to be thinner lines less "busy" so perhaps very few or no leaves. More abstract. The original Tree of life had the upper "branches" slightly thicker and they thinned toward the bottom.
You have already done many drawings for us so I can understand if you are tired of the tweeks but I think we are nearly there.

Thanks so much, Molly

[plum74]

Hello btmolly,


I would recommend keeping the minimum thickness of the "braid" around the tree as is. This is to make it still visible when the logo is made a lot smaller when printed on smaller spaces such as for a business card. I can make the top branches a bit thicker and yes we can lessen the number of leaves.

Thank you.

[plum74]

Hello,

Just letting you know I haven't forgotten you and still struggling with the branches. It would actually take more than a few "tweaks", in fact I might present the next one in raw sketch first since I would have to change the whole illustration before retracing it. The braid in the original celtic tree I made was made with a pattern but for us to make it look more abstract, have less lines and have some branches thin and thick would take more freehand and would have to do without the pattern. Making it look balanced both sides is the hard part.

I hope you understand that the concept is a bit more labor intensive. Hopefully I'll have something for you early next week, I'll try this weekend if I can. Thanks.

[plum74]

Hello,

Below is a freehand sketch of the revised celtic tree, please let me know your thoughts. I retained some of the leaves (they should look better in the final) to give the tree "life", also this is a way to distinguish your logo from the typicial celtic tree. Upon approval, the sketch will be traced into a more solid 2 color logo. Please feel free to give any comments or suggestions. Thank you.

Lala

[markmcg]

Plum, Sorry we have not given you any feedback lately. It has been a busy few weeks for us. We know we have to simplify the logo some and that may mean turning around a bit on the concept you have been working on. Do you have any ideas about thinning everything out, simplifying, while still keeping the integrity of the thought process we have been on here? I would love to see the more abstract ideas you have been thinking of. Sorry this is taking so long. We do need to use this soon. Thank you so much for all the hard work. Mark

[plum74]

:)

[markmcg]

Plum, Thank you so much and I am sorry we have been so busy and neglecting feedback. We have gone around several times and we have decided that we would like your version 11, with the font from version 13, and please use only 8 leaves (that is how we will incorporate our 8 principles. It has been a long road and we appreciate you so much.

[plum74]

Hello markmcg, et.al.,

You're welcome, I hope all is well. Actually you are entitled to minor revisions on the winning entry which was the celtic tree version.

Anyway, here's a revised version of the version 11 with 8 leaves and 8 subtle branches, the tree also has a subtle root. The whole effect is meant to be very clean wood cut look but a still bit abstract...at first they should see the tree (thus the addition of subtle branches and root)...then realize it's a person.

I also took the libery of posting this version on your website so that you can see how to looks on the site. You will see this in the next post.

[plum74]

On your webpage..

[plum74]

Hello again,

Just the same logo with a rounder head. :)

[markmcg]

These look great! we are meeting this afternoon, and will get this done in the next day or two...Thank you so much for hanging in there with us.

[markmcg]

We love it! Can you just darken up the earthtones a bit? a darker green like forrest green and a more earthy gold? and the font should be lower case in "BloomTree" except for the B and the T. then how do we finish this up? thank a lot! mark

[plum74]

Hello,

Here is the logo with the color changes. The head is back to being less round...I think it makes it a bit more abstract and more subtle, what do you think?

Upon approval, you will be sent printer ready files in resizable vector format (.ai, .eps).

Lala

[markmcg]

Looks great! Thank you so much. I think we are now done! Do I have to do anything, or do you just send the files?

[BlueCherryGraphics]

Moved to Revisions.

[markmcg]

We approve it. What's next?

[plum74]

Hi,

I have sent a link to the logo files via private message, you will find it here:

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/private.php

The files are all in vector format so they are resizable. It also includes a pdf color guide, 1 set of logo files have the tree logo with the white background, another set without (filename would say "no_white" at the end). The logo files without the white background would be useful for printing on surfaces where you would like the background to show through the tree figure (i.e. 2 colored printing on light colored shirt). Each set includes an .ai, .eps and pdf.

Should you need further assistance, please do not hesitate to ask. Should you find that the files meet your satisfaction, kindly leave a message on this forum saying that you have received the final files. Thank you.

[BlueCherryGraphics]

PROJECT UPDATE: moved to Logo Project Archives.