Logo for Computer Consultancy - $100

[donw9876]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 672714D)

Hi!

I am very excited to see everyone's attempts at my company logo and I promise to keep up with the contest as much as possible (several times a week, if the interest is there.)

I am *really* hoping that I can make a decision by the start of December because (in my opinion) a good, memorable logo will be one cornerstone of my marketing.

So, here are the hard specifics on what I am looking for. Some identity and naming stuff first.

I want to set up a tradename called "Computer Support of Warren County". My company's current name is Cedar City Solutions, Inc.

I want to feature "Computer Support of Warren County" in the logo, and the corp name in that order, dropping the one that doesn't "fit" if need be. (IE, if space is tight, I'll settle for "Computer Support" alone. And so forth.)

Confused? Me too. :blink:

The operative phrase in my positioning is "COMPUTER SUPPORT". My target is end users in just about any type of business, and NOT geeks nor IT people. (IE: I saw one logo contest here for an IT company where the client didn't want a mouse in the logo because he felt it was too "cutesy" for a professional audience. Here, I'm trying to be non threatening.)

Some theme ideas:

This area is semirural (fringe of suburbia) and most local "bidnesses" play up the rural/farmy aspect. I "really" want business people to call me who need to get past a current problem that is costing them money and driving them nuts, and to help them avoid the same problem in the future. I am selling knowledge. I want the logo to convey both professionalism as well as a sense of humor, if possible.

One recurring idea I've had for a logo is literally a picture of a computer being "supported", lifted up on one side with a hand from underneath. If you had an outlandish cartoony idea for a humorous theme, I would be receptive.

Lastly, applications of the logo. I would like variations of the logo that I could use for the following purposes (in priority order):

Web site.
Business Card.
Logo shirt(s) (for employees to wear).
Handout promotional items (pens).
Door Sign for public view from the street.
Possible small highway sign.
Letterheads, invoices, etc.

And no, I don't want mayo on that. :D

Thanks very much for reading. I am VERY excited to see what comes up!

[donw9876]

Hi, Jon!

Thanks for posting.

Ok, my initial impression is... That butler is somewhat disturbing... :( (sorry)

I really want to emphasize the phrase "Computer Support" with a less emphasized "of Warren County". It's what I am selling/pitching. The corporation name should be de-emphasized under that. (the corp name is actually optional, if it's worked in and fits, it's OK, but is definitely not what I'm selling).

Example:

Computer Support
of Warren County
a division of Cedar City Solutions, Inc.

I am looking for more of a "bold" graphic, more primary colors (lending itself to b&w printing if needed). As I said in the opening, I am hoping that what we come up with can also be used for logos on shirts (say) or on giveaways like promotional pens.

I do like the sense of humor you're conveying. It's the right "attitude", just not the right subject for now.

Thanks!

- Don

[Virgil]

Hello :)

Here are my first entries to your contest. I tried to picture the image you described in your initial post.
Best regards,
Gilles :)

[Virgil]

Another :)

[donw9876]

Hi, Gilles,

Hmmm... much warmer! :D

Yes, the graphic part is much closer. I wish there was a way to personalize/humanize the 'pooter.

What about a more abstract computer, supported by a more abstract hand or even arrows pointing upward as an alternative to the hand? I'm concerned that this computer+hand with the varying tones will look like a blob/speck in certain formats like bus. cards, or logo merchandise. IE: it might be nice to see something that could render OK as full color and as black and white, or, something that had a fancy color version for web and ad usage and a plainer version for logo stuff.

(if I'm driving you nutz, let me know... :blink:)

Thanks!

[AlexKogan]

Hi there, Don!

How about this for an "outlandish cartoony idea for a humorous theme"? ;)

[Virgil]

Hello,

Here's another concept :) both color and black&white(+ a little grey - can be removed if you want ;) )
Best regards,
Gilles.

[Virgil]

And another(web version :) )

Gilles. :D

[graphxguy]

Here's my entry.

As you can see, I shyed away from cartoony, and tried to focus on what I am perceiving as a tool and repair type of community that would easily recognize John Deere colors.

I look forward to your comments.

[AlexKogan]

Way to go, Stephen! I'like this one, it works! :tup:

[donw9876]

Wow, who turned on the fire hose? :) You guys have been busy.

Alex: that's a memorable, "cute" logo. Let me sleep on it.

Gilles: Much closer to what I'm looking for. Businessey, but not real corporate. (does that make any sense?) Nice.

Stephen/Graphxguy: HUH! while it doesn't exactly make a huge emotional ego impact, you've hit on the things I was describing initiallly about the local area. Q: do companies trademark color combinations? Anyway, it might work where I am and give locals a sense of comfort. (To everyone else: I think those John Deere colors would work with a literal tools type theme, I don't see them being applicable to a graphic with computers.)

Thanks, everyone.

One other thing: If it helps, I have an map outline of this county, as attached. Most people here would recognize an outline with exaggerated features. Just an idea, no need to use if it doesn't work.

[graphxguy]

Sounds like I might have made you heave......and I'm sorry.

The colors were not set in stone. And the feel I was going after was that of a logo that showed you repair them (the wrench) and I broke up the square with smaller squares at the upper right to signify a digital or computer feel.

If this idea needs to be flushed, let me know. I've attached some different color choices and a font change.

Thanks. Looking forward to your feedback.

[AlexKogan]

Hi again, Don!

I know I'm probably not being serious here, but you really shouldn't have mention humor and cartoons :P

[Palmer]

I like it Alex :lol2:

[AlexKogan]

It makes us two, Palmer ;) Oh, I wish there were three of us! :innocent:

[donw9876]

Alex - I really like it! It's much closer to my original mind's eye view than anything else I've seen yet, a cartoony computer being "supported". Before you design something else in that kind of style, let me think about another font and the arrangement of the logo.

Graphxguy - I didn't mean that I was puking on the John Deere colors. That combination of green & yellow colors would key subliminally into some guy's thinking. I think "utilitarian sells"... the motif with the wrench is another way to approach the subject of fixing and improving things. Projects a no-nonsense pragmatism.

Gad, I feel like an art director spewing all this touchy feely stuff. I'm really a programming geek. :)

I'm also being evasive about which one I prefer. These two efforts click for me more than anything yet, but also we're only in the second day of submissions. I haven't fallen "in love" with any one logo yet. Which doesn't mean I don't like them! I may run these samples past a few people to see what the general reactions are. While I know what I "like", it's also a piece of marketing.

Everyone, kudos. Good show, keep em coming. I will not be able to keep up at this same rate through the rest of the week. but I promise to review each try.

Thanks!!! :tup:

[AlexKogan]

Well, jokes apart. Here's a geometric version.

[AlexKogan]

...and here's another one, more organic.

[graphxguy]

A variation. I think the third color was really adding noise instead of harmony.

[graphxguy]

Here's another concept. I did it in BW just to see if you liked it enough to add color.

Thanks. Looking forward to your comments.

[AlexKogan]

The typography in the last designs was somewhat overweighted. Here's another couple of versions with less heavy fonts, it really makes things look more serious.

[donw9876]

Hey guys!

Thanks for the new submissions. My cup runneth over. And you're all getting MUCH closer to my original concept. Communication has been excellent, and everyone involved has picked up the gestalt of what I'm trying to do.

I honestly don't have any suggestions for anyone. In each of your styles you've homed in on my basic concept. Kudos. :tup:

Tell you what - I need several days to consider these designs and to consult with partners and friends to review these. I really wasn't prepared for this much this soon. I'd therefore like to declare a moratorium on new submissions for a few days. Say, pick it up again next week. I also don't want you guys to forget about this contest or think I'm blowing you off.

Ok?

[graphxguy]

Sounds good to me. I'm sure we all appreciate the heads-up
which will allow us to devote some time to some of our other
projects.

Thanks, Don. Looking forward to seeing who you choose.

Good luck, all.

[AlexKogan]

Ditto :)

[donw9876]

Hi All,

It's been over a week, and I would like to wind up this contest very soon.

Again, I am both pleased and flattered by the close attention all of you have paid to my ideas/blather - it's tough for someone starting out in a new business (as I've been for the last 10 years :eek: ) to find suppliers & vendors who take my ideas and concepts seriously.

So, this has been a VERY close competition. Everyone I've shown this stuff to is VERY impressed by the level of effort.

Before I call the winner - if anyone has a submission you've been sitting on, or a fresh approach to this design challenge, please post it.

Again - I am placing a premium on simplicity and clean design, but conveying the notion of "computer support" in a graphical and non threatening way.

I intend to make a decision when submissions have settled out "real soon now", certainly within the next few days. If there aren't any new submissions at all, then by Monday.

Thanks,

Don

[donw9876]

Ok, I'm calling the contest. The "winnah" is Alex Kogan and his #4 series.

Why? In my opinion, this set combines a "casual" non techie feel with an easy to understand image.

I found that of all the entries, this is one that I glanced at and immediately "knew" what it symbolized, and it had the most favorable overall reviews by friends and acquaintances. This simplicity and instant recognition beat out some of the more complex images (which nonetheless were attractive).

Alex's caveman/prophet holding the monitor (11/10 at 11:17) inspired some really interesting comments. One guy I knew said he hated it the most; my wife and another acquaintance both said they loved it. But I can't afford to have 1/3 of the people hate a logo (and in turn are turned off) while others love it. Even if I loved it too! Sometimes you have to be non-controvsersial. :(

Thanks, everyone! I will absolutely be back with more design contests when I need work done! :tup:

[Michael]

Congrats Alex :tup:

[Virgil]

Congratulations ALEX :tup: Nice job!

Gilles. :)

[AlexKogan]

yoo-hoo-oo-oo :wee: :D

Thanks, Don! Thanks, Guys ;) Great work! Stephen, your wrench was magnificent :notworthy:

Don... err... It happened so that I'm out of town now and don't have access to most of my DO files icluding the #4 series... :unsure: I'm really sorry, we're having a Graphic Design Congress here, and I didn't have a chance to copy some of the files have at work, mostly because of the fact that I don't have ZIP nor CDR on my machine there. I'm back this Sunday... Is it Ok if I send it to you the next Monday? :unsure: I'm really sorry once again.