[Project Complete] Photography Company Logo Makeover - $225

[Niraj]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 4FU54638H5175093V)

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
'Niraj Popat' or 'Niraj Popat Photographer'

What type of product or service do you offer?
Wedding, Event, Lifestyle, Commercial and Portrait Photography

How long have you been in business?
Practicing since October 2006. Full time since 2009.

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
Rebrand / makeover, from the font based identity I currently use. I'm hoping the makeover identity will create an easily identifiable and recognisable symbol, that represents a professional brand.

What are your long term goals?
To become a recognised brand, easily identifiable among hundreds of competitors in the industry.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
I'm hoping for 31st August 2012. I carry out an annual assessment of finances and price progression in the last 2 weeks of September, and if I have a new identity in place by then, I can incorporate that into the new structure. This is the first time I have commissioned anything and if more time is required, then that's okay too.

Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience
Young intelligent couples, who value quality photography. I primarily cater to the asian / hindu / indian market.

Who would you like to add to your audience?
Young intelligent non-asian couples and traditional asian families, valuing the dimensions of quality, in a modern and creative age.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Smooth lines, curves, as well as as being sharp and precise. Clearly identifiable.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
Not particularly, open to ideas. Colour themes that will work on a variety of background, i.e on black / white / colour backgrounds.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
My name Niraj means 'Lotus' (as in Lotus Flower)

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Sophisticated, Fun & Professional

What is your tagline or slogan?
Currently "When we look, we see; when we observe, we feel... - More than just a photo"

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?
I am a photographer with passion in what I do, and the clients that I work for. Hard working individual that hopes one day, my reputation will be regarded among the top professionals in the industry. (Possibly, even a household name, among my target audience)

Where will your new logo be used?
Website, Blog, Avatars on Social Network mediums, Copyright Watermark and new Business Cards.

Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
My direct competition have home-grown (font based textual) logos. Much like my current identity and thousands of others over the globe. Those with actual logos appear to be somewhat manipulated designs of clipart. It is very clear to see within the industry those who have commissioned professional designers for identity and I'm now learning that hiring professionals play a huge role in marketing.

List competitive URLs if possible:
LOGO INSPIRATION (http://www.nirajpopat.com/hotlink_dir/logo-inspiration.jpg) - These brands and logo concepts appear to be working extremely well for the owners.

What sets you apart from your competitors?
Understanding that my clients have a choice, and that the quality of the product is just as important as the service and after care they receive throughout their experience.

Targeted Message:
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:
Honest

My current identity:
http://www.nirajpopat.com
http://blog.nirajpopat.com
http://www.twitter.com/NirajPopat
http://www.facebook.com/NirajPopatPhotographer

[giant]

first try... :)
"NP" ; smiley face ; peeping thru the lenses

[Niraj]

Hi Dewa,

Thank you for participating.

I was beginning to wonder if anyone had seen my project. Very glad that I've received my first design.

You've definitely captured the "fun" aspect of the design brief, and I really do like the colours, especially PMS 1375 (similar to what I use now). I notice how you've incorporated the initials of my name, which was a unique idea I had not imagined.

However, I'm not sure if the smiley face is perhaps the avenue we should follow as it reminds me a lot of a UK based Cashback Website "Quidco". I am hoping to also see some designs with the use of the "Lotus Flower" theme, as it really represents my name.

Thank you for your first design, I look forward to seeing more from you and other designers. Perhaps even using alternate colour tones and approaching the design from a different angle to the design brief.

[coffeegir1]

Hi. Looking at some intricate patterns/jewelry that you sometimes see in Asian weddings, I drew this loopy monogram for you and set it in shutter brackets to give it some sharpness.

[glyphica]

v1 :)

[Niraj]

Thanks for submitting your designs Coffeegirl1 & Glyphica

Coffeegir1, I like that you've based your design on a monogram style, it's something different. However, do you think you could use the idea of asian patterns / jewellery in a logo design without incorporating my initials.

Glyphica, I was very pleased to see this design. I immediately saw the petals of the lotus flower which made me very happy. I also like that the logo itself fits into a square, which is great for avatar use. However, I'm not keen on the font used for 'photographer' and would it be possible to create a variant that is perhaps not so symmetrical? It gives me a slight feeling of representing a science laboratory or institution.

(All, please check my member profile for contact information if you need more information to help with ideas, outside of what's in the design brief, Thanks)

[Niraj]

If I could kindly offer some suggestions I feel might help guide the design teams in the right direction:

If we could please try to avoid using cliché concepts used in the industry by many, such as:
- Rotary Shutter Blades
- Viewfinder Focus Squares
- Camera (SLR / dSLR) shapes
- Rainbow effect colour themes and tones

Sorry if this makes things a little more complicated, but I've been told that the more information I can offer, the better the chances of the design team being able to commission the perfect logo.

Thanks in advance.

[nhr]

:)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/DOO/Niraj_nhr.png

[djaka]

N with a slight hint of a lotus bloom

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/NirajPopat.png

[xpressions]

http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/nemagazine/NirajPopat2.png

[Taldo]

:)

[Taldo]

:)

[Niraj]

Thank you all for your recent design submissions.

I would like to share my thoughts about some of the current designs, please feel free to read all the comments, not just the ones about your own designs.

NHR: thank you for your submission. I like the overall design and that there is some symmetry but also the addition of the tilde wave giving it a non-symmetrical shape. I'm not convinced on the colour scheme, but I will probably wait to be firm on that till I've had a chance to run it passed a small focus group.

djaka: you have approached the design from a fresh and unique angle. I am pretty sure that I would prefer to exclude the initials of my name N or NP or NPP from the logo design. The shades of purple work well, perhaps you could incorporate them in a different style design? Unfortunately, the font isn't quite clear enough to be easily readable. Thank you for your submission.

xpressions: V1. I think your design would work great on business cards and t-shirts and other such paraphernalia, though I'm finding it difficult to see how I could use it as a standalone logo as an Avatar or Watermark. Maybe you could offer a variant on this design? Do you think you could introduce some colour or subtle tones? Thank you for your submission.

xpressions: V2. A very nice motif. It fits neatly into a square crop which I'm finding myself warming towards. However, the NP, within each petal is not so discreet, and I think I would prefer to avoid using the N, NP, NPP initials within the main logo design. I do like the font you have used for the textual part. It looks very similar to what I use on my proofing images. Thank you for this version.

Carol: V1. Very impressed with your initial design. The colours are definitely warming. I will be discussing this with my focus group as I do like it. The only thing I would like to suggest is the number of colour tones being used. Could we reduce it to maybe 3 or 4 at most. I love the text font, simple, clean and elegant. Thank you for the logo.

Carol: V2. This is my favourite of your two submissions. I love the simplicity of it and can see it working in many scenarios. I'm not sure how it could be improved to give it that unique edge, but would love for you to try and show me a variant based on this. Thank you.

So far I personally feel that Glyphica and Carol Taldo's V2 represent me and my company in terms of branding. Although I still feel there could easily be something new that comes along and completely wins me over.

You can find my contact details in my signature, and would love for the keen designers to contact me so that I can share links to logo designs I have seen online that I think are really powerful.

Thank you for taking the time to read my suggestions. I appreciate your efforts and welcome any new ideas.

[Taldo]

Just a quick question. Are you taking design submissions all the way up until Aug 31st?

[Niraj]

Just a quick question. Are you taking design submissions all the way up until Aug 31st?

Hi Carol,

To answer your question, No, not necessarily.

If I feel a design wins me over, I will select the designer, and move over to final revisions.

August 31st is an arbitrary date I chose as I would really like to have chosen the design, so that it gives me enough time to allow it to coincide nicely with the re-branding and restructuring of the company, which I'm hoping to have ready and launch by September 30th.

I've never commissioned a graphic design like this, so was not sure how long or little time to allow for entries.

If a design is ready before this date, I will make it known and allow for a 5 day cooling period to allow for any other late submissions.

[red]

ENTRY 1
Here is my first entry:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v682/colorbone/mockup/do_nirajtemp.jpg

[xpressions]

Thank you for your feedback. I will provide some revisions over the weekend.

[Niraj]

Thank you for your design submission red.

I would like to invite others to submit more designs. I have not settled on any particular design as of yet, and hoping to see some original ideas.

Perhaps I have offered too much information that is making this design brief difficult to work to? If so, please let me know and we can try approach this from a new angle.

Look forward to your input.

Thanks,
Niraj

[Taldo]

It is probably the due date you set that is causing limited designs. You may want to change it to a closer date.

[red]

Is the lotus really required as a graphic element for your logo? Thank you!

[Niraj]

Is the lotus really required as a graphic element for your logo? Thank you!

Not at all.

I was just offering the idea of a lotus flower, as it represents the Hindu meaning of my name 'Niraj'.

I'm happy and open to any design ideas that could potentially represent my company as a brand identity, and be able to stand the test of time.

Thanks,
Niraj

[Niraj]

It is probably the due date you set that is causing limited designs. You may want to change it to a closer date.

If I change it to (say the 19th) will I be able to extend the date to allow more entries if I'm not happy and chosen a design by then?

[Taldo]

Yes:)

[Niraj]

Yes:)

Excellent, that will work out much better with the buffer time I need to review and execute the rebranding.

How do I go about changing the deadline in the topic title to the 17th of August 2012?

Thanks,
Niraj

[Taldo]

Due date changed to the 17th :)

[red]

Here is a different approach.

[Niraj]

Hi red,

Thank you for both of your submissions..

It certainly is a different approach and unique design. However, comparing both your first and second design, I much prefer your first design.

I would like to steer away from using monogram style logos which incorporate the N, NP, or NPP found in the business name.

I do like the font used for the word 'PHOTOGRAPHER' but not so keen on the font used for 'NIRAJ POPAT' with the oversized N&P initials.

I do like the subtle colour choices in version 1, and the side profile of the lotus flower is easy to recognise.

Thank you, and I look forward to seeing more designs.

[Taldo]

:)

[red]

Hi Niraj,

Here is another logo proposal for you. Still in line with the lotus leaf but with a modern, minimal icon. Thanks in advance for reviewing

[red]

Variation without the line

[Niraj]

With only two days left till the first revisions deadline, I notice we've not had much interest in my design brief?? :(

Thank you Carol and red for your variations.

I would like to invite other designers to participate and help me find the new creative brand identity I've been so eagerly waiting for.

[Taldo]

Can you show the designers some logos you like or that have a similar style that you are looking for? That will help quite a bit. Thanks :)

[im3d]

base on your initial name (blue and green part)

[Taldo]

:)

[Taldo]

:):)

[Taldo]

:)

[Niraj]

Thank you to everyone who has submitted their designs.

I would like to extend the deadline of this project to the original date 31st August 2012], and offer some new concepts that may help aid the design brief.

I feel we are "moving away" from what I was hoping to achieve from this re-branding exercise.

Here is a link to some logo designs which I find inspirational, and are working incredibly well for the brand owners:

LOGO INSPIRATION (http://www.nirajpopat.com/hotlink_dir/logo-inspiration.jpg)

^ also added to the design brief in the first post.

I will continue to add ideas to the above file, as I find more.

I'm looking forward to seeing how you interpret this new information.

[red]

Here is another attempt

[Taldo]

:)

[Taldo]

:)

[glyphica]

v2 :)

[Niraj]

Thank you so much Carol, Glyphica, red & IM3D for your recent entries.

I have seen some inspirational and confidence building designs here, and I think we're back on track.

Carol, could you try something for me please? I love the multiple colours of V3, and love the design of V2... could you do something with the two of them together?

Glyphica, I love this 3D effect design, and the flat monochrome conversion with the inverted blacks and whites. I love both colours used, and difficult to choose between the two, and I think a variety of different colours of this could really work differentiate between different styles of photography I offer (ie Wedding / Commercial / Lifestyle etc...) Could you perhaps come up with another 3D effect logo, so that I can compare the two, to help me gauge if a 3D design is an avenue I want to consider.

IM3D, your first entry has given me much food for thought. I was really leaning away from the idea of using initials as part of the logo design, but somehow, the 'np' of the flower stem and petals is growing on me. I'm not completely convinced on the position of the orange flower bud, but I'm sure that's easily fixed.

Just to let everyone know, I am very pleased with the colour themes being used here, and I think this will work really well with the rebranding makeover.

Very excited about these new designs, thank you.

[red]

Previous entry colored. I hope you can give your feedback on my entries so I would know if I am on the right direction or should change my approach. Thank you

[red]

entry removed

[Taldo]

:)

[Niraj]

I just wanted to take a moment to leave some feedback about some of the designs that have been submitted.

red V3 & 3b : The design itself feels very rigid. I'm not so keen on the elongated rectangle space used in V3. V3b doesn't have that smooth elegant feeling that I was hoping for.

red V4 : I have received amazing feedback from my focus group about this design, but the colour theme, and layout was noticed by a few as similar to one of the logos I offered in the LOGO INSPIRATIONS (http://www.nirajpopat.com/hotlink_dir/logo-inspiration.jpg) - They did, and I do also like the style of the lotus flower.

red V5: From all of your submissions I would like to say this has the greatest potential. The colour theme works beautifully, and there is little explanation needed as to what the logo is. However, I'm not too keen on the font being used.

Glyphica, I would love to see another 3D style of design. My focus group left feedback suggesting when they saw this logo, they felt as though a beautiful design like this should belong to someone who creates beautiful artwork and photography. That in itself, is enough to entice people to take a second look, and would potentially fit great within my rebrand and makeover.

Carol Taldo : My personal favourite of all designs was V2... until you presented V3. The mix of the two in V5, wasn't quite as I'd hoped, and find myself loving V3 more and more. I really would like to develop this idea further, and have a few ideas I would like to suggest, which I'm sure we can continue to refine, if I select your design as the base structure? I do however feel that one of the blue shades should be replaced with a red tone, as Asian Weddings are full of Red, Gold's and Greens.

IM3D : As much as I love your design, nearly all members in the focus group felt as though your interpretation was more in line with an Environmental Company. Perhaps, it's the colour choice, or perhaps it's the overall feeling of a flower stem and bud. I'm not sure, but in my opinion it was the best incorporation of the initials NP, even though I was trying to stay away from using letters associated with my name.

I will be finalising my decision on Saturday 1st of September, so please make sure any new designs you wish to be considered to be submitted by the end of 31st August.

Thank you, and good luck.

[Taldo]

Here it is with red added. If you do decide to choose my design, we can work on whatever revisions you need. Thanks:)

[glyphica]

another version of my design with a different perspective :)

[im3d]

another one

[Niraj]

Hello All,

As the deadline gets closer and closer, I've been clicking refresh on this page every few hours, to see new designs.

Carol : Thank you for the revised version and including a red tone. I like it.

Glyphica V3 : Your designs always impress, and I can see how you've taken inspiration from both of your designs to develop this latest version.

IM3D V2: You have only entered two entries, yet I find myself most attracted to your design. Having not had much opportunity to see what other creativity you have, I find myself wondering, if I were to choose your design, will you be able to help revise the logo design to it's final production? Perhaps you might try a different colour (shade of red/pink/purple)? Or are you able to manipulate this flat design into something with a 3rd dimension, similar to how Glyphica introduced in V2. Maybe a different font?

At this point in the day, I am finding myself leaning towards IM3D V2. The design not only resembles the lotus flower, but also a diwali lamp/candle, and that is incredibly useful for future marketing.

But never the less, there is still 1 more day to go before final entries, and I'm excited to see what inspiration can be created as a last effort.

Thank you all.

[red]

Thank you for the feedback. Here is the version 5 with different font.

[red]

Another font option. Thank you!

[Niraj]

Hi red:

Thanks for the revisions based on V5. Would it be too much trouble to see something different? IM3D has come up with an amazing concept of the lotus flower, which I find incredibly attractive.

I understand that as a community you wouldn't want to steal each others ideas, but I'm sure with the creativity you've presented and some of my feedback you may be able to come up with something at this late stage in the process?

I'm not keen on the font used in V7, although Carol and Glyphica have a lovely choice of fonts being used.

Thanks

[im3d]

To client..Niraj
I will be able to help revise the logo design to it's final production..

[Niraj]

Thank you IM3D for your fast response.
I appreciate that you were able to respond quickly.

[red]

Thank you for the feedback. I will work on one more concept.

[red]

Here is my last entry for this project. I would have to thrown in the towel if this is not at par with the im3d and glyphicas' entries. good luck to both of them :)

[Taldo]

:)

[Niraj]

I would personally like to thank you all for your input and effort into this project.

It has been a delightful process, and one that I hope will prove to be a worthy cause.

A special thanks to Carol Taldo, xpressions, red, Glyphica and IM3D, who have stuck around and submitted additional and variations of designs.

After much deliberation and review, it gives me great pleasure to select "red V8" as the design I wish to move forward into final revisions stage, and develop into a logo design that will be used to rebrand and enforce a successful new marketing strategy.

Once again a big Thank You to all who have participated.

SELECTION: red V8

[red]

Thank you for choosing my design! I was not expecting it due to the great competition. Please Pm me for further revisions you want on the logo. Best regards.

[Niraj]

Could a moderator kindly move this thread to the Final Revisions Forum, thank you.

[red]

Hi Niraj,

Here is the logo with the revisions you requested based on the original color scheme. The icon is also included, at 16x16. If you prefer the outline of the lotus only for the icon, please do let me know. I will work on the color variation next. Thank you!

Best regards

[Niraj]

Thank you for the revisions.

Would it be possible to see the lotus only outline for the icon (in colour), along side the one you have already created?

The width of the outline gives it that intricate feel, and the text is exactly as I had hoped.

I look forward to seeing the colour variations.

Regards,
Niraj

[red]

Thank you for the feedback. Noted that about the icon, so you need two versions, one outline and one colored.

Best regards,
Joanne

[red]

Hi,

Please see the attached revisions on color. I basically used the lotus colors as inspiration for these variations. If you want me to try some combinations (ex. outline from v10 and color from another version) please just let me know.

For the icons, I made the outline a bit thicker so it would be more visible in such a small size. I can always use the thinner lines if you are OK with it.

Looking forward to hear your comments.

Best regards,
Joanne

[Taldo]

Congrats red :) Moved to revisions.

[red]

Thank you! :)

[red]

Hi Niraj,

May I know your feedback on any of the new designs presented? Thank you.

Best regards!

[Niraj]

Hi Joanne,

Thank you for taking the time to submit the variations and colour references I requested.

Now that I have seen the variations and possibilities, I feel more confident that the design will work in the various environments I had planned.

I do feel that the 16x16 icon works better with a high contrast outline/shading combination, meaning the darker outlines with lighter shading. Version 13 is what has helped me confirm that the design will work in a variety of tones and themes.

I think I'm happy to have the files prepared (as discussed) and sent.

Please can you ensure that the layers are separated for me so that I can modify them quickly and easily for different seasons.

Layers Example
- Outline of lotus flower
- Shading of lotus flower
- Text 'NIRAJ POPAT'
- Underline
- Text ' PHOTOGRAPHER'

(You get the idea)

Thank you for all of your help and effort with everything related to this project.

Regards,
Niraj

[red]

Thank you very much, I will work on these files and PM the link.

[red]

Files sent. Please check your PM
Best regards!

[Niraj]

Thank you Joanne,

I have received the files for Version 13.

It has been a pleasure to have commissioned this design through 'Design Outpost'. This project can now be marked as completed.

Kind Regards,
Niraj

[red]

Payment received, Thank you!

[Taldo]

moved to archives