Logo & Layout For Charity Portal

[mr sprocket]

I am developing a charity/non-profit portal/community. The site will be built around vBulletin.
Some features will be:
Monthly spotlights of groups or causes
List of reviewed groups and causes
Charity News - which grousp need help, which are scams, etc
Tips on how people can help.(donations, skills, time)
Tips on how charity groups can use the internet.
A user forum to help connect people needing something with people wanting to help.

My weakness is graphics. I am a code/developer person. I would like something friendly and welcoming. The site is usupport.com. The slogan is "support begins with U"

I feel my life has been blessed and the site is one of the ways I can give back to the community. I would appreciate help and ideas.

[Palmer]

Just to clarify what you need, you would like a logo designed? Do you have a preference as far as colors go? Do you have a link to the vBulletin skin you'll be using so they can match the color scheme?

Thanks :)

Palmer

[mr sprocket]

Actually I need both a logo and a layout. As for colors maybe soft, warm colors would be nice.
I can help with stock photos and art. Feel free to ask any questions.

Thanks,

[Palmer]

Doh! Maybe I should of read the title to your post :P Well as you know vBulletin offers skins for their forums. I'm assuming you plan on using a ready made one they offer, is that right? If that's the case, I'm pretty sure some of the members can come up with a layout/logo for the other pages based on that skin. I'm not sure if they would be able to custom design a vBulletin skin for you for free. That's a pretty big project to tackle. Just my opinion though. Maybe they'll chime in with their opinions.

Palmer

[Palmer]

Mr Sprocket, can you answer my question?

[mr sprocket]

I am not sure if I am making myself clear or not. The main part of the site may not be vBulletin. So I am also looking for helping in creating a layout look or theme. Here are a few sites I have seen lately whose style might work.

http://www.charitynet.org/
http://www.webcharity.com/
http://www.charitypeople.co.uk/
http://www.allaboutgiving.org/charitycard/uk/
http://www.guidestar.org/

[Palmer]

That helps but the information I'm trying to get from you is...

The vBulletin colors should be the same colors as the rest of the site. It wouldn't look right if your forum and the rest of your pages looked totally different.

I thought if you know what color your forum was going to be we could make the layout of the other pages match.

So my question is, do you have a color scheme (skin) chosen for your vBulletin forum or are you going to change the colors of the forum to match whatever layout you go with?

Thanks,
Palmer

[mr sprocket]

Sorry I am trying to complicate things. No I have not chosen a skin yet or a color scheme.

[Palmer]

No need to apologise, just didn't want to spend hours on a mock-up that I'm doing for free to end up finding out it doesn't even closely resemble your forum :)

I'll see what I can come up. I'll try to get something posted by next week.

Palmer

[Zoe]

Hi Mr Sprocket,

Do you have a list of navigation you are thinking of using?
Do you want the navigation to be text links for easy additions or are you able to edit a graphic file with direction?
What type of images would you like used on the site?
Are you after a fun or a corporate design?

Thanks

[mr sprocket]

No specific links yet. I am able to edit graphics if I have the fonts and basic graphics files. I can work with either psd or png files.

I would like photos/images of people. Maybe helping or interacting with each other. I would like the look professional but not necessarily corporate. I want a friendly feel to the site. I want people to feel welcome, to come in and look around. If the site can help one person find a way to help others or bring attention to a needed cause I will be happy.

I am not sure if we can solve all the big problems, but if everyone took a little time to help in their own commuity maybe we could take of the small problems first. Then slowly we can all make our world a better place.

[Zoe]

thanks - I will have a think about what I can design

[Palmer]

Just wanted to get your thoughts on a logo I worked on today...

[mr sprocket]

I like the colors. It looks polished and professional and is still friendly.

[Palmer]

Thank you. The symbol is supposed to resemble something being held and taken care of. At least that's what I tried to do. :D I'm afraid I'm not quite at the level of the rest of the group. I'm just their leader. :)

[Palmer]

Worked on the layout. I wish I had more time with this project (no pun intended) but I've got some major projects that are falling behind schedule.

Anyway, excuses behind, here's what I have so far...
http://www.yourwebbuddy.com/templates/us/1.png

[mr sprocket]

Good Job Plamer! I really like the choice of photos, a good tie into community and time.

[Zoe]

Just wanted to add a quick note to say I have not forgotten about this project - I have some time today that I will use to get started. : )

[Palmer]

Zoe, it would be great if you could just take off where I left off. We can kind of split the project if that's ok. :) Just add to the rest of my layout up there ^

[mr sprocket]

I just want to take the chance to thank everyone for their help.

Can't wait to see what Zoe will do!

[Zoe]

sorry Palmer - too late... :( nice idea though

This is a quick design - just threw a few ideas together - so busy I can not spend too much more time. :( just yet anyhow. :)

<img src='http://www.demexdesign.com/usupport_layout.gif[/img]

[Zoe]

opps - and the logo - vector based so you can use it for printing if you like. : )

http://www.demexdesign.com/us_logo.gif

[mr sprocket]

Man on man, You guys make decisions hard. I like both. Zoe that is a great logo idea as well. And the site. Now I am getting excited because I can see this really working. I will need to think.

Great job both of you. Thank you for helping it show a kind heart.

[mr sprocket]

Demex I like you logo because it reminds of wings(like a dove or angel).

I have a question about the logo. In trying to make the decision(because I like both), I have showed the logos and layouts to a few people.

I had a users mentioned they didn't get the "U" part in your logo. Is there a way to make the "U" part more noticable? Maybe a darker outline on moving the position?

I really like you layout and logo. I have had to thik hard on this. I think I would like to use yours. What information do you need from me? How would like to transfer files?

I look forward to hearing from you.

Thanks both of you for your fine charitable work.

[Zoe]

I have had a bit of a play with the logo - let me know if you feel this helps define the U.

http://www.demexdesign.com/us_logo2.gif

http://www.demexdesign.com/us_logo3.gif

http://www.demexdesign.com/us_logo4.gif

[mr sprocket]

I like that top one. I think that will work. Let me know what you need.

Thanks,

[Zoe]

Great. Yes I liked the first one I did best - and then I made some others just in case. :)

>>Let me know what you need.

I need TIME, can you arrange 36 hour days???? lol

I just need a few days (maybe a week) to find some time to finish the site layout. Send me an email to sales @ demexdesignDOTcom (remove spaces) and I will send you the files asap. :D