Logo for Training Product Company $100

[Logical_Jon]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 10659437)

Good evening. I have been following the site for several weeks and now I finally have a chance to work with you talented folks.

Here's the contest info:

Project: Logo design for our training & consulting company (this logo is for a specific product line). The product line is one book and video, but will continue to spawn other editions, videos, seminars, etc.

Product/Company Name: I Wish You Would Just…

Product Description:
Based on research conducted with thousands of employees over a five-year period, employees were asked to finish the statement "I wish my manager would just…" While some answers may surprise you, and others will seem quite simple, "I Wish My Manager Would Just…" will encourage managers to really think about their own management style and understand how it affects their employees.

Some responses to "I wish my manager would just…" include:
"Ask for my opinion and take it seriously."
"Don't just tell me how to do things, show me."
"Value my time as much as their own."
"Say 'Thank You."

Design challenge: Need sophisticated look, something that can grow with the development of product base. Needs to appeal to a field dominate by women – needs to evoke something like the “good housekeeping seal”

Must have: “I Wish You Would Just…” in the design.

Contest ends: Wednesday, November 12th at 4 pm (CST)

The audience: The audience is typically HR trainers or those looking to self-develop their managing skills. Eventually, the market will be broader (much like the ‘Chicken Soup for the Soul’ crowd).

General Ideas: Type treatment might work best here. But symbolic images and shapes that could represent the theme of the product line would be cool (I mentioned the good-housekeeping seal – I would probably shy away from open arms or hugging type of stuff). A cool thought: Do any of you remember the Sesame Street/Electric Company skit with two silhouette faces speaking words to each other?...

Descriptive words and phrases:
Honest thoughts
Partnering
Connecting/talking
Relationships
Open communication
Team building
Appreciation
Support
Mutual success

Possible Colors:
Gold
Black
Terracotta
Celery/Olive green
Lighter Purple (but no pink hues)

Logo Uses:
1. A two-color design is preferred – but I am open to options
2. Website
3. HTML emails
4. Printed Materials (brochures, postcards, business cards, etc)

I will monitor the site closely to address questions and designs. Thank you so much! I look forward to some great ideas.

[Taldo]

HI!

[KellyB]

Hi! Here's my first entry - please let me know if you would like me to try any other colours or font combinations :)

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thanks!!

[Logical_Jon]

Wow! Great stuff thus far. Here are some comments and suggestions. Keep up the great work!

Taldo: I like the 'symbol' concept. Colors seem to be a little dark. Can you lighten them up a bit using some of the lighter colors I mentioned in the inital post - be sure to keep the contrasts, though. How about replacing the "I" with contrasting 'faces' - see KellyB's post. Keep rockin!

KellyB: Thanks for posting! Be sure to put the "..." after the "just" in future posts. Your initial design is really abstract - at first I couldn't quite catch the idea, but then my mind caught up with my eyes. At first I thought the faces were ghosts (not to be critical). Is there another way to show two faces in pseudo-abstract ways? I might not make much sense here, but I hope you'll try some more ideas. How about wrapping the text around the confronting faces - circular? Thank you!

disturbReality: I like the simpleness of the font-type. Believe it or not, the last one was the exact font we used in initial marketing stuff. Like the colors, what about adding some shapes or making the logo less "horizontal?" I was glad to see your name in the mix. Keep it coming!

--Jon

[Palmer]

<!--QuoteBegin-Logical_Jon+Nov 8 2003, 11:04 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Logical_Jon @ Nov 8 2003, 11:04 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Taldo: I like the 'symbol' concept. Colors seem to be a little dark. Can you lighten them up a bit using some of the lighter colors I mentioned in the inital post - be sure to keep the contrasts, though. How about replacing the "I" with contrasting 'faces' - see KellyB's post. Keep rockin! [/b][/quote]
They are instructed to not copy each other's ideas. It is against the rules.

[Logical_Jon]

Sorry. Please excuse my mistake. First time jitters!

[Taldo]

here's another one...

[KellyB]

Hi Jon,

Here are a few more ideas... personally I prefer the text underneath in a straight line... :)

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Logical_Jon]

I'm starting to see some neat things. I also hope other will join in with their ideas!

Taldo: I really like the abstractness (if this is a word) of your second concept. The "w" seperating the "I"s is great!. The coloring is good as well. Can I see a few more examples of this concept (other colors)? The font is bold - I like that. Also with the first "I" moved just to the left a bit creating some white space. Please don't give up on your first concept - the icon. I'd like to see some different colors.

KellyB: Thanks for taking my pointers. I like where you're going. Any way we could create some kind of icon out of this concept? Brining the verbiage into the 'conversation.' I think making the 'faces' concept a little more abstract might really set things in motion. How about a few different colors?

Excellent Work! PLease let me know if you think - if this direction isn't enough, I'll try harder!

--Jon

[Mark]

Here's my idea.. available in four flavours to choose from. :)

[Logical_Jon]

markbeaudry: Thanks for entering your ideas. I like them - all of the colors work for me. Any chance you could close the question/exclamation mark on the right side - maybe it's the width. I feel if it were somewhat tightened, there would be more an immediate understanding. This is very clever! Thank you!

Any other ideas out there?

--Jon

[Mark]

Hi Jon, I moved the drop shadow to the right which now closes it up!

:)
Mark

[Logical_Jon]

Mark:

I like the drop on the other side. Can you drop all four logos on a black or darker background (other than white)? This migh give me a better idea.

Taldo and KellyB:

You haven;t given up yet, have you? ;)

[KellyB]

Hi again :)

I thought about how I could make the sillouettes more icon like without sticking to normal squares and circles... so I've come up with this (speech marks)

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish4.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Of course I've tried a different colour scheme, but any colour scheme like the ones you've suggested can be implemented :) I've also changed the font to one almost like handwriting :)

[KellyB]

Here is a few variations for you.. colours...

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish5.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/colours.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

I think the black background looks better than a variation in shade of colour - and also perhaps the more straight forward sillouette.. let me know what you think :)

Thanks!!

[Mark]

Here they are with the black background you requested. :)

[ElKootcho]

Mark: :tup:

I like!

[Logical_Jon]

Mark: After seeing things, moving forward, on white, we should keep the drop shadow on the left. Can you try decreasing the size of the question mark within the exclamation mark so that we see the natural shape of the exclamation mark (I would like to see 2-3 pixel of black on that right side). Keep up the great work!

DisturbReality: I like the third concept in your latest batch of ideas. Any way to add 2 abstract conversationalists (head shots) - in place of the star? Be really abstract if necessary. The idea of the product is to open communication between 2 or more people, to show undertanding and unity. Where's that symbol you were working on? ;)

KellyB: I like this new concept. I'm trying to decide if the sillhouettes might be alluding to more "lover" status than to manager + employee. I think it's the body language. Any other ideas? I like the statement with the speech/quotation marks. Rock on!

Taldo: Can we see more from you?

[Mark]

Here's the new modification! :)

[Logical_Jon]

Mark: Can you go ahead and center the question mark within the exclamation mark? After that tweak, I think it's ready to show our team.

Designers: I'd like a few more examples to show the team Tuesday morning. Are there any other takers out there? :help:

[Mark]

I think this works well. ;)

[Logical_Jon]

Mark: Thanks for the update! Moving the question mark really did help! Great work! :tup:

Still waiting to see a few more ideas and a revision or two. I'd like to go into the team meeting with 3-4 solid ideas. :)

Show me what you've got DO team!

--Jon

[Hypnosis]

Hello, just a quick sketch...
Comments please.
Hyp! ;)

[KellyB]

Change of sillouette :)

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish6.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[KellyB]

and another idea for you...

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish7.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Taldo]

I'll have some revisions by Tues morning...

[AlexKogan]

Here's my entry.

An employee and a manager united in a conversation.

Cheers!

[Logical_Jon]

Wow! Great new additions! Thank you! Here's some individual feedback...

disturbReality: Like the symbol. Like the logo reworks. Can you move away from the red, white and blue and use some of the colors from the original post. I espcially think the logo rework and your new ideas will *pop* more with the color pallette described in the original post. I look forward to seeing the updates. B)

Hypnosis: I like the spacing and flow, but it's really abstract. Is there a way to tie in a "conversation" of some sorts. Think 'symbol' or 'icon.' Thanks for your idea! Keep up the great work! :)

KellyB: Wow! Love the new direction with the three faces! Run with this one! I know you like the text underneath the image, but is there a way to incorporate the text within the faces at the bottom? Creating kind of a "sealed" symbol or icon (almost self-containing) - does this make any sense?

Note: The previous examples of sillhouettes were good, but feedback from friends and co-workers today was lukewarm (I appreciate your effort and am very please with your new direction).

Alex: Thanks for your entry. I like the direction and 'conversation' element. Font is good - I like the 3rd and 4th font example the best. Can you review the colors I was looking for in the initial post and work with a few of those?

Thanks to all of you. You're talent is humbling! I'll choose a contest winner on Wednesday evening/Thursday morning. In the meantime...keep on truckin!

--Jon

[KellyB]

hi!

Glad you like the new direction I've taken... I've made it into a more symbol like logo...

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish8.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

colour ideas:

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish9.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Logical_Jon]

KellyB: Excellent adjustments! Thanks for the update. One last change. Can you move the text counter-clockwise around the circle so that the "I wish" starts about near the neck of the first image of the person. Does this make any sense? :)

--Jon

[KellyB]

Sure does make perfect sense :)

Here is a revision for you - the colours can be any colour you want them to be :) Both the background colours and the faces.

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish10.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Logical_Jon]

KellyB: Excellent. Don't change a thing. Can you go ahead and give me the revised logo in the four different colors you had in the previous example. Pictures (colors) are worth a thousands - so when we meet to decide on Wednesday, I want to have several colors of each logo represented. Thanks! Great work! :)

Still waiting on others to join the fray!?!

--Jon

[ejlain]

Hi Jon.
Here's an idea.

Thanks.

- Ed

[Taldo]

:)

[Taldo]

:)

[Logical_Jon]

Great stuff, folks! You guys/gals are really blowing away my expectations! Thank you! :tup:

Here's some feedback:

ejlain: Thank you for a terrific concept! I would love it if you could maybe make the 'person' less feminine - is this possible. First I thought of a stick person, but that might not be right. Please pursue this because I want this idea as a finalist.

Keep up the great work! :)

Taldo: You did exactly what I wanted with the circular icon. Please roll this out in 3-4 other colors for comparisons. I still really like the other one you just posted - I will present it as well. :)

Just as a side note, I am asking for multiple color variations of the logo because this product will eventually grow into various sub-products. The color variations might end up signifying a different product line under the main family of products.

--Jon

[Hypnosis]

Hello, thanx for your comments ;)
Here, I hope it works...
Hyp!

[Logical_Jon]

Hyp: Cool. Can you remove the "professional trainers" line at the bottom (my bad for not telling you this earlier). Also, can you make the logo a little bigger for my presentation (you can spoil it if you'd like). It's hard to see the detail.

Thanks! :)

--Jon

[Logical_Jon]

Jon:

Thanks! I'm heading off to bed, but I'll take a gander at them in the morning! :tup:

--Jon

[KellyB]

Here are my colour variations :)

<img src='http://www.c1vision.com/sitepoint/iwish11.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Hypnosis]

No prob, thanx for the feedback.
Hyp! ;)

[Logical_Jon]

Great! Thanks for all of the updates.

disturbReality: Thanks for trying a few new things. I'll go in with this set.

KellyB: Thanks for the update and detail - I'll take this in with me.

Hyp: Thanks for the update. We'll test this one.

Waiting on just a few tweaks from others. I'll give the contest until tomorrow morning (9 am CST).

Thanks all - If someone would like to throw their hat into the ring, there is still some time!

--Jon

[Taldo]

color choices...

[Logical_Jon]

Taldo: these look good. Can you give me something a bit bigger (you can spoin if you'd like). I'd like to print these for our decision-making team.

Thanks,
Jon

[Logical_Jon]

Sorry about the typos...

Taldo: These look good. Can you give me something a bit bigger (you can spoil if you'd like). I'd like to print these for our decision-making team.

Great job! :tup:

Thanks,
Jon

[AlexKogan]

Here's the color correction and a couple of new versions.

[Logical_Jon]

Alex: Excellent! Thanks for adding the colors. :)

[AlexKogan]

You're the boss, Jon :)

Any comments? Corrections?

[Taldo]

revised post above!

[ejlain]

Hi Jon,
thanks for the feedback. Here are a few different ideas.

- Ed

[AlexKogan]

Great stuff, Ed! :tup:

[Hypnosis]

Awsome stuff Alex!
hyp! ;)

[Logical_Jon]

DO Team:

I just reviewed the last set of additions. Everything looks stellar. I will meet tomorrow with our team and have feedback (and hopefully a selection) the following day. It has been a real treat to watch things move and develop. :tup:

Talk to you soon.

--Jon

[Bill]

Better late than never...

[Logical_Jon]

pennyln: Man, I was just about to go to sleep! I heard the familiar mail jingle, and what do you know, another cool design shows up. Love the contrasting faces. Font might need to be a little bolder with these types of faces, but that is something easily changed.

Thanks for throwing a wrench in my plan with this cool design! ;) Great work!

P.S. On my next contest, please show up sooner. I was wondering if you were going to submit an idea into this contest!

[Logical_Jon]

Okay. Sorry it has taken me this long to respond. I was waiting on input from several people. We have narrowed the contest down to two excellent submissions.

Allsubmission blew my expectations away, but our team felt that there were to that really shined and conveyed the message we need to convey.

ejlain: We have selelcted your submission as a finalist. Focus only on the last two logos in your last post. The colors are okay, but too pastel (almost too feminine). Keep the same two logos, but go a little bolder with the colors - something more vibrant/striking.

Taldo: We really like your sibmission (with the talking 'dots' above the two "I"s). The colors were a little washed out so go a little bolder with the colors - something more vibrant/striking.

I would like to make a final decision on this coming Monday morning.

Thanks again!

Kelly, Mark, Hyp, pennyln, Alex and Jon - thank you for your submissions. I plan on posting anther contest this weekend and I hope you'll participate.

I look forward to your revised submissions.

--Jon

[Taldo]

more vibrant colors...

[ejlain]

Hi Jon,
thanks for considering my designs. Here are a few color choices..the numbers beside the designs represent the PMS colors.

Thanks,

Ed

[Logical_Jon]

Great. Could you try a gold and black version?

--Jon

[ejlain]

Sure. Here's gold and silver

[Logical_Jon]

Ed:

Looks good. Thanks!

--Jon

[Logical_Jon]

Taldo: Canwe see what your's would look like in black/gold and black/silver.

We are close to picking the winner.

--Jon

[Taldo]

Black and Gold!!!

[Logical_Jon]

Taldo: Excellent. Thanks! I'll have a winner soon.

--Jon

[Logical_Jon]

I know, I know...
This post has taken forever. Well...

After 4-5 days of arguing, kicking, biting and scratching, we picked a winner.
I appreciate all of the designers who participated. It literally took us this long to decide the winner, who is none other than...

Ed (ejlain)!

Ed:
Please PM me and I'll get you the requirements for the logos!

Thanks again, everyone.

--Jon

[AlexKogan]

yoooo-hoooo, Ed! :D
:tup:

[Hypnosis]

Congrats Ed, you're the boss :tup:
Hyp! :notworthy:

[ejlain]

Excellent! Thanks so much Jon. Thanks Alex. Thanks Hyp. Thanks Everyone. I had a lot of fun with this one.

- Ed