Small IT Firm Needs Logo for Website

[reMarkable]

(Admin code added by 2Square - 4898352)

Summary:
Hi, my name is Mark and I have founded a small information technology company called M. Jordan Technology Group, Inc. The current website is www.MJordanTech.com (http://www.MJordanTech.com) and was in good enough shape to release to the public in the past week. One of the first improvements it needs is a professional logo to replace the "temporary" logo - found on the upper-left hand each web page (atop the left-hand navigation bar.)

Details:
1) I want to convey a professional/corporate look - but nothing that is *overly* technical looking or *overly* complex.

2) I want to stick within the blue-based color scheme currently used on the site.

3) The company's tag line is "Practical Business Solutions" - I don't expect that this be part of the logo - although if someone had a really good way to incorporate it, I'd consider it.

4) For a better sense of the company - visit the website - especially the "About Us" section.

5) The site's basic motiff was based on a business card I designed, but never really completed. I'll attach it below so you get a sense of it. I especially like the font found on the card.
(I had intended to put small circles in squares in the gradiented column on the left-side, but never could figure that out - but that's another project - let's see how this one goes first.)

I'm looking forward to seeing some nice ideas - so bring them on. Feel free to ask me any questions for further guidance.

[Hypnosis]

Hi,
Just a few sketches to kick things off....
Feedback welcomed..
Hyp!

[Michael]

Looking good Hyp ;)

[Hypnosis]

Hey man watzup? Thanx for the comment ;)
Hyp!

[reMarkable]

Hi Hypnosis & and thanks for getting the ball rolling.

I like some of the your general thoughts - but the key issue with three of the four designs is that the "MJT" based logo seems to look like "MUT" to the untrained eye - so I would stay away from that direction. Also, the designs seem to be leaning a bit too high tech looking.

The fourth design seems to have some promise - although my initial reaction - and by opening up my current copy of PC Magazine - I just confirmed - might yield a call from Intel - take a look at their Centrino logo.

My sincere thanks for being bold enough to take the first steps - it's most encouraging.

[Huhhso]

here's my entry
thanks!

[graphxguy]

Here's my entry. I'm very interested in feedback.

[Raja]

I'll have something for this in a coupla' days

[Bill]

Here are a couple...

[Raja]

just brainstorming a few marks

[reMarkable]

Wow - You guys are keeping me busy; so here goes:

Huhhso-
I like both. Although I'd really like both to to have the ", Inc." added; not ideal design wise, but needed for business - I'm not sure if that will screw up the balance of them.

The top one (with the arrows) I think is neat - I like the "ying/yang" effect - but the M Jordan it too big, too tall somehow.

The second one intrigues me - I really like it: I guess I do like that font (thanks for listening on that) - I'm just not sure what message the circle within the "O" and the related line conveys.

Let me know what you think.


Graphxguy/Stephen-
I like your entry - the image conveys some sort of networking/technology - and the asymmetry is interesting - although the image looks really familar to me - maybe it's a stock image from somewhere? (Not that it really matters.) I also actually do like my tag line "Practical Business Solutions." I still have a couple of thoughts though:
- I'm wondering what other combinations of blue/black could be done with the "M. Jordan Technology Group, Inc." wording.
- What would it look like with the graphic image being a bit smaller?

Thanks for "listening" - get back to me on what might be done.

Pennyin-
Top design is clever to use the mouse as the "O", but really clever is using the mouse cord as the line in the "M". That being said, I feel strongly that the mouse is too "unsophisticated' for the business market I'm going after - so you're not to blame on that - that's just my marketing hangup. Got any clever images that could be integrated into the design?

The second design is handsome, but the blue area looks really nautical to me - I feel that it doesn't say enough about who the company is (in a way, the opposite problem of your first design.) Any ideas on this?

Thanks is advance - great stuff.

Raja-
Thanks for the three brainstorms. The first one - just not me; Second one is a clever integration of the "M" and "J" - but I don't find it too easy on the eyes - it takes too much to figure it out - and it doesn't really convey too much about the business to me. The third image is my favorite of the three, but I still have a couple issues with it - the MJ with the arrow doesn't seem to connect with the "M Jordan" next to it (I'm also not too keen on that font) I', wondering if the arrow could be integrated into the body of the "M", instead of "sitting" on top of it?

Looking forward to your next pass.

ALL - Thanks - I hope I'm providing good feedback. -Mark

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/mjordan/mjordan1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Virgil]

Hello :)

Here's my first entry to your contest :D I placed the rounded rectangle under the logo so you can picture it attacted to your site color.

Best regards :)
Gilles.

[Juvanescence]

Ballz..

Feedback appreciated. Thanks. :)

[reMarkable]

Hi All - Wanted to check on and provide feedback on the last three entries:

Dynagirl-
Very "Motorola-esque" - but I feel that the design emphasizes the "M" a bit too much; I personally like & enjoy the complexity of it - but from a business/marketing standpoint - I want to convey both sophistication and a measure of simplicity - and I don't think this would do it. Also - since it needs to go in a realitvely small space atop a web page, the small detail would be lost.

Thanks and please do e-mail me with further ideas/thoughts.

Gilles-
I get a good vibe from your design - kind of "Netscape-esque" - also reminds me a bit of the Saturn car logo; in fact I was going to suggest a circle around the "M" instead of the rectangle - but then I think it would really look like Saturn. Which acutally brings me to my next thought as I'm typing this:
In a way, the Saturn car target customer/idea is sort of a measure of sophistication on a budget - and that is similar to my target market; big company computer smarts for the small and medium sized client.
Two specfic questions about the design:
1) What's with the dot about the "M" - it looks stray to me? Is it intended to be something in orbit? If so, I think it needs to be "visurally clarified" if such a term exists.
2) I like were you design is going - but the "M" in the box seems a bit cluttered - is there a way to simplify/smooth it out a bit?

Looking forward to your reply.

I-design:
To be quite honest - I'm not big on the font - it steps beyond high tech to funky - which I don't feel works for my "message" - and I'm not keen on the bubbles - not business-like enough.

Let me know what some other options would be - Thanks.

[MUTE DESIGN]

Heres my first group...More to Come! :D
-Anthony

[MUTE DESIGN]

Another Set.... :tup:
-Anthony

[jonmulk]

<!--QuoteBegin-reMarkable+Oct 16 2003, 09:41 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (reMarkable @ Oct 16 2003, 09:41 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I-design:
To be quite honest - I'm not big on the font - it steps beyond high tech to funky - which I don't feel works for my "message" - and I'm not keen on the bubbles - not business-like enough. [/b][/quote]
I-design - is that font 'Neuropol'...? I recently used that for a logo for someone else! :)

[Eagle]

Hello

Please take a look at this one and see if you like it...I think this or an adaptation may suit! :)

http://www.designoutpost.com/gallery/detai...hp?image_id=572 (http://www.designoutpost.com/gallery/details.php?image_id=572)

If you do, please info me here and not by PM...I'll see what I can do!

:)

[Huhhso]

Thanks for the feedback, posting some revisions

(on the second I was going for interconnectivity..)

[Virgil]

Hello,

Changes :)

[Virgil]

Hello Mark :)

in fact I was going to suggest a circle around the "M" instead of the rectangle - but then I think it would really look like Saturn. Which acutally brings me to my next thought as I'm typing this:
In a way, the Saturn car target customer/idea is sort of a measure of sophistication on a budget - and that is similar to my target market; big company computer smarts for the small and medium sized client

You want a circle instead of a rectangle?Please let me know and I'll change it quick. I mean, it's up to you to decide for a circle or rectangle, in order that logo will be connected to "big company computer smarts for the small and medium sized client" concept.

1) What's with the dot about the "M" - it looks stray to me? Is it intended to be something in orbit? If so, I think it needs to be "visurally clarified" if such a term exists.

I will remove the dot on the right (see the picture above), but I think the upper dot gives some kind of symetry. Tell me if you want both dots removed, I'll do that if necessary.

the "M" in the box seems a bit cluttered - is there a way to simplify/smooth it out a bit?

I will do that though I don't really know exactly what you mean..I'll give it a try and post a few variations very soon. The one above has a black outline, and I ketp its size t match the "Jordan"text.


Best regards,
Gilles. :)

[Mark]

Please find the attached design for your review. I look forward to your comments. :)

[tragu]

Take a look at my entry below:

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/mjordan/mjordan2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[graphxguy]

-Mark
Thanks for the feedback. Sorry it's taken a few days to get back.....computer probs.

Here are some revisions based on your comments. The "mark" is of my own design but is a familiar combination of things I've seen previously representing technology and networking.

Looking forward to hearing from you.

-Stephen

[Raja]

Some IT related concepts. Note the M-J kicker in the mouse.

[reMarkable]

Wow – you folks are amazing! I’ve had so much of a response that I need to start honing in on some finalists.

A few comments before that:

Gilles –
Thanks for the hard work on your design, I liked it very much but still felt it didn’t describe my business well enough – and that isn’t your fault one bit – as it’s in my head and not fully expressed to you folks. Thanks for the great work.

Markbeaudry-
Some of the elements you have there also peaked my sense of things – and captured aspects of what I’m trying to convey, but the finalists seemed to just hone in on it a bit more. Thanks for your efforts.

Traque-
Thanks for the submission – I like the general idea – in fact, early-on (last year) I thought a light bulb might be a good idea, but found it a too frequently used motif. Thanks again for your work.

Mutedesign –
Thanks for the submissions – nothing really caught my fancy, but I wanted to recognize your effort.

Raja-
Thanks for all your entries – I especially found the most recent design with the mouse fantastic; that being said, and I as I mentioned in someone else’s previous feedback, the mouse is something that I business-wise isn’t where I’m aiming. Again, great work and maybe I’ll look forward to your entries for a future contest.

So now for the finalists. I’d comment more, but must run out for the weekend. If you want, hold off and we can continue this all on Monday, but I did want to be up front and let people know the “score” before I ran out. I apologize for being so brief:

Dynagirl – Really like that last “M” entry. Very professional. Maybe the graphic off to the left and smaller?

Graphxguy/Steven-
Great work with the graphical elements – it looks really promising. I’d like to see if there is a way to make the entire “M. Jordan” letters solid (the “M” and the “Jordan” I think should still be different colors though.) Different votes amongst my friends and colleges on the specific version of the many you presented. Maybe we can review that on Monday.

Huhhso-
Love the later two of the three designs with the “O” being the arrow. Could that arrow be thickened a tiny bit? And can you work my “Practical Business Solutions” Tag line in underneath? Maybe a thin black line under the current logo, and then the tag?

All & Finalists:
So a good weekend to you all. I will be back at my PC on Sunday night and will check in then. In the meantime thanks one and all – and I’ll look for anything from the three finalists as soon as I boot my PC Sunday night.
-Mark

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/mjordan/mjordan3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[graphxguy]

-Mark
Here are some more revisions with the "m" and "jordan" filled with solid color.

This is just an opinion, but I think the versions with the "m" and "jordan" separated by the vertical line are the most professional and stylish of these designs. I think this treatment of your company name could really help set you apart from the crowd.

And I do feel the solid color in the "m" and "jordan" work better. It's just a matter of choosing the right combination.

Thanks for your patience and I look forward to hearing from you.

[Huhhso]

Trying some different placements,feedback welcome
Thanks!

[Eagle]

*
Hello...

Am I too late with this? :)

[reMarkable]

:unsure: Finalists: Haven't forgotten about you - I'm just very, very busy; will post comments later today (Tuesday) or at the very latest - Wednesday AM (USA EST.) I apologize for the delay. Thanks - Mark

PS - Eagle- Thanks for your efforts - but I'm keeping it to the three finalists I already chose.

[reMarkable]

Sorry to be tardy on the response – work has just been too hectic. Here’s the scoop – and I thank you for your patience.

Dynagirl – I want to thank you for your efforts to date – they are excellent, but I’ve decided that the general style is a little too “soft” for my business’ image – I want to go with something a bit “harder.” Thanks again, you do great work.

Graphxguy/Steven-
Looking very good. Using the logo from the first column, second row as the basis – a few minor revisions:
1) Loose the period at the end of “Practical Business Solutions”
2) Try a version that has the whole “m Jordan” that is only blue.
3) Try a version that does not have a line separating the “m” from the “J” – but still leaving an ordinary amount of space between the two letters.

And one semi-major revision:
Sorry to raise this late in the game – but there has been some feedback by friends that the graphic is too much of a “molecule,” too “chemical” – is there an easy way to make it look less molecular and more “computer and/or network like?” What is great about the current graphic is that it is sophisticated, yet still pretty simple - but the feedback now makes me have reservations. I also understand if this is too much effort in the endgame – so I leave it to your digression if you want to whip up a new graphic or not.

Huhhso-
In looking at your most recent entries vs. your previous set on page two of this thread, I think I like your previous entries better – specifically the last of the four on that page I’m really still attached to that one (also note that these versions don't have the tag line - which is fine for your design.)
A few revisions:
1) Focusing again on the “O” - Can you please make the arrow/circle a little more complete – that is, close it up a bit more?
2) Also – same request as before in the last set of revisions, can we thicken the “O” up – BUT THIS TIME, only a tiny bit more – last time it was too much.
3) Make the “O” the same color as the “m”
4) Level the “m” to the same height as the bottom of the capital letter (it’s a bit lower in my current favorite version.)
5) Can we try a version that has all of the above, but also has the script “m” you tried once on page three of the thread (most recent entries.)

Huhhso & Graphxguy - I look forward to your revisions - I'm hoping this is the last set and I can decide on a winner soon. I'll be in meetings much of the day tomorrow (Thursday)- but I'm scheduled to get to your revisions by Thursday evening (assuming you are able to get to them by that point.) Again, much thanks. - Mark

[Huhhso]

Hi posting my revisions
If the line thickness is still not there, its no problem to further adjust , also colors etc...
Thanks!

[graphxguy]

-Mark
As promised, here are the revisions based on your comments. I went a step
farther and provided black vs. blue choices for the "technology group, inc."
text.

I have also done a different graphic for the mark. The center elipse with a network of "fingers" reaching out still captures that networking/technology feel I believe you're after.

I look forward to your comments. Thanks for your patience.

[reMarkable]

Graphxguy & Huhhso-
Sorry to be so slow at this point - I've been extremely busy - and I appreciate your paticence. I plan to choose the winner after this final pass. Thanks so much - Mark.

Graphxguy:
I finally decided on which of yours is my favorite: Small final change to the design in column 1, row 1 - make the "M" black.

Huhhso:
Found a real favorite among yours as well - third design down from the top! A few, hopefully easy changes: Please make the script "M" into a "regular" "M" - Can we thicken the "O"/Arrow just the teeniest, tiniest amount - and then can we bring the "J" in so the kerning around the "O" matches that the other letters in "Jordan"?

And finally - but only if you can: It would be great if can you shrink the "m Jordan" - say 15% and increase the "Technology Group" size a bit - and do likewise with the "Practical Business Solutions;" I know it might affect the horizontal spacing - and the fonts of both lines might need to be taller, but not wider, but if you can try that would be super-appreciated.

Thanks again - and I'm hoping we're finishing up here. Both of you are great. Sincerely, Mark

[graphxguy]

-Mark
Sorry for not being quicker with this revision.

But here it is with the black "M". Thanks for allowing me to make it this far. Even if I'm not chosen, it's been a pleasure.

Until next time....

[Huhhso]

Hi I'm sorry about the delay here are the revisions..
Thanks! :D

[reMarkable]

Graphxguy & Huhhso-
Both of you have been extraordinarily patient in what as turned out to be a very slow process - I'm sincerely grateful for that. I also wanted you to know that I think you are both very talented and look forward to working with you again and/or referring others to this site to find you.

After much thought and "test marketing" with friends and relatives - I have decided that Huhhso's design (the 2nd of the last submission) is the winner. Congratulations Huhhso ! :tup:

Huhhso-
There is one teenie, tiny correction I would ask - which is to make sure that the bottom of the "M" lines up with the bottom of "Jordan" - right now it seems to be a couple pixels lower.

So how does the contest work from here? I'll need to speak to my web person to see the exact dimensions she'll need, right? Is there anything else that usually happens at this point?

Thanks again to you both, :)
Mark

[Mark]

Congrats Huhhso! I've always liked that one since you first submitted it Oct 16. I knew it would end up being a winner! :tup:

[Huhhso]

Hi Thanks for the great compliment. It was a pleasure. I will provide you with multiple file types of the logo (once I have your approval on the design) I can also do a custom version (via the web person's specs etc..)

Just let me know :)
I will post the revision later today
Thanks again!

[Huhhso]

Thanks Mark I liked yours too, tough call on this one! :D

[graphxguy]

Congrats, Huhhso. I look forward to future duals. :box:

[Huhhso]

Showing guideline as well
Let me know if you think its further adjustment
happy to oblige

Thanks!

[reMarkable]

All-
Thanks for the nice words.
-Mark
:)


Huhhso-
How do I "officially" approve you - so you get paid? You are the winner - so I'd like to do that.

Thanks,
Mark
:tup:

[Palmer]

She's already been paid. You may contact here to work out and minor revisions and she will send you the files.

Thanks Mark. :)