[Project Complete] Digital Photography Forum $45

[pengrus]

(Admin code added by Palmer - D742710G)

I am running a Digital Photography Forum at this site: http://pengs.us/forum/

I need a logo to put into the top header on that index page. My original idea was to have an artisty picture of simplified lens as part of it, but I am not limiting you to this. Do not use any realistic like camera or lens in the image. Please use your talent and creativity. I am open to all ideas and good artistic design. Keep in mind that I do need a simple header background to go with that logo (the symbol) and the word "Digital Photography" and "Members Gallery" to go with it.

I do not like my current orange gradient header background. You can view a few sample headers made for this template here (http://icande.com/), here (http://www.toplist100.co.uk/forum/index.php) and here (http://phpbb.com/styles/styles_demo/index.php?s=45). So please supply a new header background image (it does not needs to be complicated)

When you design that logo and its related header background, please make sure the colors that you use will look good with the overall color theme of this forum: grey - and some orange. The logo and header background will go within the two white line on the top as you can see now.

Deliverables
I will need an scalable image. The final image needs to be in (1) vector based with all layers intact so that I can edit and move around the text, logo and its related background image. I would like it to be easily modifiable into any type of 'format' use - avatar, ads, print media, letterheads, etc; (2) a format ready for web publishing by directly uploading/coding.

The contest will run 10 days from now and the prize is $45.

EDITED: I am extending the deadline to Sunday, Feb 16, at 9:30pm Central Time.

I will privide my feedback as often as I can and please check this top post for any added requirements in the future. If you need any clarifications, please let me know.

Thank you and it's my pleasure working with you!

[Palmer]

Hello Pengrus, welcome to Design Outpost. Feel free to contact me with any questions or comments while the contest is running. From looking at the forum at pengs.us, can I assume you would like the designers to have the logo match the gradient on the right of the forum? (The image below) If so I've attached a zip file of the gradient the designers can download so it will match seemlessly.

Thank you for your contest,
Palmer

http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/misc/peng.jpg

[pengrus]

That gradient could be a starting point. But I would really like to see new one as this one is a little dark. I am open to other options as long as it goes with the grey. I'd like to see other possible colors too.

Thank you!

[pengrus]

Anybody interested in this? :unsure:

[Palmer]

It takes a little time, they're interested trust me :)

Palmer

[toniallen]

Howdy Pengrus,

I will be entering this contest, as digital photography is one of my interests. :)

Look forward to working with you,
Take care,
Toni

[TwistedNewMedia]

comments?

[pengrus]

ubergerlgeek,

Thanks for the first try! The text looks good. Is that in black font? Is it possible to avoid black? Any other color that could look good?

I really do not like to show any real/realistic camera or lens there. I would like something that's artistically drawn. I'd appreciate it if you could give it another try.

Thanks!

[toniallen]

Howdy,

I just put together a quick background image on this one. Im more concerned of what you think of the logo.

http://www.toniallen.com/digitalphotographylogo.gif


Thanks and take care,
Toni

[pengrus]

Toni, that logo is very close to what I had in mind originally. However, after I saw this site (http://www.fredmiranda.com/), I am not sure if we should continue on this, if do, we'll need to make it very different and better. Could we also try eyes? again, not realistic picture.

As of text, I'd like to see some a little more variations that looks like similar to the winner of Image Construx (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/index.php?s=&act=ST&f=4&t=47&st=75).

Thanks for your good work!

[Doni]

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto.jpg

heres an idea.

Doni

[pengrus]

Hi, Doni,

I really like that idea very much. It looks good. See if you could do some work on the eye and make it look better (right now it looks a little scary ;) ). Maybe make the circle not all around, something like a draw and leave somewhere open? If you could, please give me a link to original graphics, I want to have a closer look at the silver background.

Again, I think it is very good and if you could put some more work, that'll be great. I guess we can explore more on the eye and background.

Thank you, Doni!

[john]

I thought it might be a good idea to get an injection of colour in, and show a bit of photograhy at the same time.

Any comments?

[pengrus]

Originally posted by john@Feb 8 2003, 12:52 PM
I thought it might be a good idea to get an injection of colour in, and show a bit of photograhy at the same time.

Any comments?
John, I agree with the idea of injection of colors in. It blends in with the overall theme nicely. But I don't want to show any real picture, in this case, the sky. I'd like to see something simple and artistic. The text needs some more variation. Thank you!

[john]

What do you think? The 'o' and the three lines above it are to symbolise the lens and flash?

[Doni]

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto2.jpg

I have attatched a jpg and the psd so you can check out the bg i will work on some modifications today

Doni

[crimsondesigner]

Hi Sean,

I have a few ideas on this project. I'll post them later tonight.

Erika

[Doni]

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto3.jpg one revision

[crimsondesigner]

This is a little something I put together. It's not finished. I just wanted you to see one of the ideas I had about the logo. I'll be posting a few more tomorrow.

Tell me what you think and I'll adjust the posts accordingly

Erika

[pengrus]

Originally posted by john@Feb 8 2003, 03:16 PM
What do you think? The 'o' and the three lines above it are to symbolise the lens and flash?
John, that looks good. I guess you'll just need to add something more like the background, etc. Thanks!

[pengrus]

Originally posted by Doni@Feb 8 2003, 07:03 PM
one revision
Doni, that looks better. But I still think the eye ball stands out too much. What do you think?

[pengrus]

Erika,

You really have your own style. I like it. Please keep it coming on your other ideas. Thank you!

[Doni]

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto4.jpg

another revision more like an eye looking through a lens

[crimsondesigner]

Here is my first attempt at the logo and background. I'll be posting a few more tonight.

Erika

[crimsondesigner]

I have a couple more to add. I hope you like them. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Erika

[crimsondesigner]

Another idea based on the camera lens.

Erika

[pengrus]

Originally posted by Doni@Feb 10 2003, 06:23 PM
another revision more like an eye looking through a lens
Doni, I like your design. Please make a couple of revisions. One, for the eye, please try to draw it like a painting or cartoon, avoid realistic looking and 3D feel. Two, keep your current background style, but eliminate the 3d feel. It looks nice, but the 3d background is just too much for the overall theme. Thank you very much and I look forward to seeing your new work!

[pengrus]

Originally posted by crimsondesigner@Feb 11 2003, 12:47 AM
I have a couple more to add. I hope you like them. Any feedback would be appreciated.

Erika
Erika,

Compared to the lens, I like this better. But I don't like the close-ended black circle outside of the symbol. You may want to change it. By the way, What is the meaning of that symbol?

The font looks too big and loose to me. Maybe change font size?

Thank you very much for your good work!

[crimsondesigner]

which of my posts are you refering to? I'd like to make changes so please clarify which one you're talking about.

Erika

[Doni]

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto5.jpg

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto6.jpg

http://aaaflash.com/digiphoto7.jpg

heres a few revisions

[pengrus]

Originally posted by crimsondesigner@Feb 11 2003, 04:24 PM
which of my posts are you refering to? I'd like to make changes so please clarify which one you're talking about.

Erika
Sorry. I was referring to this one:

http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/uploads/post-4-1044946025.gif

[pengrus]

Doni, please change the style of the eye... Thank you! We are almost there.

[crimsondesigner]

By the way, What is the meaning of that symbol?

The orange swirl within the black hexagon is, to me, somewhat reminiscent of the opening and closing of a shutter. This of course brings to mind digital photography, which is the focus of your site.

I will apply the suggested changes later.
Erika

[pengrus]

Please note: I am extending the deadline to Sunday, Feb 16, at 9:30pm Central Time.

Designers: Thank you all for your great work! I look forward to more of your work coming. Thanks!

[beetle]

First attempt. I tried to make a lens-looking 'O'. I'm 50/50 on the result. The logo looks good with just a regular 'O' there too.

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo.gif

[pengrus]

beetle,

I really like your idea so much!! The building block background is very good. Just spend some more time to make it look better.

One suggestion: I feel that the black place (without the squares on it) is a little bit too much on the left side. Maybe we can push the orange blocks to the left a little and reduce the font spacing a little. I don't know if I am expressing myself clearly. Please let me know if you have questions.

Look forward to your new edition. :rolleyes: Thank you very much!

[pengrus]

beetle,

I could be wrong in "pushing the orange blocks to the left" in the previous post. I just realized I was not looking at the whole picture. I guess it'd be great if you could just fine tune it and make it look better.

Please also make some changes to the text part. I am thinking that I could also use that elsewhere, like business card, etc.

Thanks!

[beetle]

Hey pengrus

I'm glad you liked my idea, but I'm not really sure where to go from here. "Make it look better" is not only vague, but highly subjective. A bit more precise direction please?

Thanks :D

P.S. I'm glad you changed your mind on the black, I think it's an appropriate amount.

[pengrus]

Peter (beetle):

I know it is indeed very vague :ph34r: . :D But being so new to the web site, I found it very hard to give you, highly talented, very creative, being in the design for years, having completed hundreds of internet projects, qualified advice on where to go next. ;) I mean, really, I wish I could have your vision and artistic eye. So I need your help in the design improvement.

After studying your web site and thinking it really hard, here is my suggestion: on the empty black on the left, could you please put some background similar to your design for ADS? It might look better than a complete black. Please give it a try. I see your idea of the 'O' lens, but I cannot see it very well. Maybe you want to explore more with it? This is all I can think of for now. Thank you very much for your help and I look forward to hearing back from you!

Sean

[beetle]

Ok. I'm thinking you maybe want to see a photo instead of the black? I decided it must be something dark, so I chose lightning, a popular subject for photography that happens to be mostly dark :D I also decided that the lens 'O' was still a good idea, but should be on the other O. The first O is almost right at the middle of the text, making that a bit awkward. With that being said, here you go

<img src='http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo2.gif[/img]

And here's an idea of a print version of that

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo_print.gif

What do you think?

[pengrus]

Peter,

Thanks for another try. I agree with you on moving the lens to the second O. That looks good. It is hard to see it from the color version lens, but I got an idea how it looks like from the print one.

I don't want to show any real photo in the header portion. So the lightning will not work. I was thinking we might be able to put some "010101010101010101" into that black background to reflect the meaning of digital. I don't know if it will look good, but we can give it a try.

Thank you!

[beetle]

Well, I've re-worked the lens for the web-version. However, I think putting binary code back there is a bad idea because

1) It's overdone/overused
2) Doesn't match the design theme
3) The blocks are representative enough of the digital theme (pixelization, structure, etc)
4) Makes it cluttered

Personally, I think the lightning photo looks great, but I understand that you don't want a photograph there.

Well, just FYI, here's another comp I did. It's primarily photo, so I understand it's not what you are after...

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo3.gif

And here's the re-done lens with some binary code in place

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo4.gif

I also messed around with the type on the print logo. Not sure if I like it or not, but I though I'd show you since I had it done.

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo_print2.gif

[crimsondesigner]

I'm sorry it took me so long to post this but I've been really busy. I reworked the background and went in a new direction with the logo. I have another idea that I'm working on also. I'll post that one later tonight.

Erika

[pengrus]

Peter,

Thanks for taking time to come up with other versions and thanks a lot for sharing with me your thoughts on the binary code. Yes, I agree with you now. The binary code doesn't fit in very well and damage the cleaness of the whole header.

Since I don't want any photograph/real picture shown in the header, we will stick with your first version with the revised web version lens (that looks good)

I need your help with one more thing on the background image on the right. I really like the background shown in this web site: http://www.e-darkone.com/

Note that the difference between that one and my existing one is: the edarkone's background gradient is horizontal, bright on the left, and darker on the right, while mine is vertical gradient. Horizontal gradient looks good because it blends in with the background nicely. I've discussed with the other designer that I worked before, the only concern he has is the size of horizontal gradient will be larger than the vertical gradient. I don't know if that is true and if there is a solution for keeping the size small so it does not waste too much bandwidth, or it just should not be concerned. Anyway, I'd appreciate it if you help me to change the background image on the right to the one like in edarkone. I guess it requires minor adjustment to the blocks to make the two fits together.

When you present it in the next post, please show the complete width of the header, not just half of it. Thanks!

Other than that, I can't think of anything. I appreciate you trying the print version of the logo. I rely on you on the final version of the print logo.

Thank you very much for your great work!

[beetle]

Ok, here's the logo, black bg, new lens, full width

http://www.peterbailey.net/clients/do/dp/logo_full.gif

Now, I don't advise using a horizontal gradient here. I does look nice on the other site, but really doesn't fit here. The vertical gradient is much more appropriate. Yes, the size will be larger, and horizontal gradients work best when within a fixed width, your site (as most forums are) is variable width. Remember, even the nicest looking dress will look silly on a man. In otherwords, what works well for others won't necessarily work for you, regardless of how cool/nice/attractive it is.

[pengrus]

Ok, I'd like to thank everyone who entered this competition and your efforts in developing your entries. We had many good ideas. I wish I could wait longer so that it'll allow all of you to get your best work done. But so far, I like Peter's work the best. So

Peter is the winner for this contest! Congratulations and thanks for the great work!

I also liked Erika and Doni's work a lot. You've put a lot of efforts into it, I really appreciate that. And as I said, if time allows, I am sure you will come out with the best design. Thanks!

Peter: please take a look at my first post regarding the deliveries part and please send all the files (the last version, along with print version) to my email address: shouchen@pengs.us
I might also need your help to make sure that it's got coded and uploaded correctly. I will send you my current template file (code) regarding that header.

I am glad that we have such a place with a lot of talented designers. It was my pleasure working with you and wish designoutpost a big success!

Thank you very much!

Sean

[Palmer]

Congratulations Peter! A well deserved win. You worked very hard on this :D

Thanks Sean for your contest, make sure you tell all your friends about us :) Best of luck with your forum, if I ever break down and buy a digi, or need help in the buying decision process, your site will be the first place I go.

Take care,
Palmer

[beetle]

:woot: w00t! :woot:

Thanks pengrus. I can ditto Palmer's comment on the digital camera thing.

[TwistedNewMedia]

nice one Peter :D