Hybrid logo for writing and training! - $200

[Amberene]

(Admin code added by 2Square - 5449354Y)


Hi everyone! I have been obsessively admiring all of your work and hope you will be able to help me too.

I would like a logo for my freelance writing and freelance training venture. Because the two sides of me are not really related I don't want anything too obvious of either career in the logo. If it helps, I will tell you a little about what training and writing I do.

Freelance Writing

On the writing side I have written a chick lit novel and write short stories for womens' magazines. However, I don't want to go too girly on the logo as I also have a column in an industry recruitment magazine. That said, I am a girly person, so I am swaying towards bright pink as a colour for that side.

Freelance Training

I train companies on software and will be learning more IT packages over the coming months. We're talking MS Office, databases, maybe accounts packages, that sort of thing. Bright pink doesn't fit this image, right? So I thought of a nice bright orange colour.

My lame attempt to show you where I am going is here:

<img src='http://www.theresadorrans.com/logo.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

The idea here is that pink is the writing and orange is the training and the dots at either end represent that. . . yeah, it sucks, I know, that's why I need you guys!

The most important thing with the logo is that it is very readable as my name, a nice bold font. I sort of like the font I choose above, but would like something a little more original and how about trying one part of my name as an outline font? I also like my name all in lowercase letters. As I will be using this on letterheads I would also like the corresponding logo to become the watermark on the paper. Don't want much, do I :)

So to summarise: my name in lowercase letters and very readable</li> two bright colours to show the two sides of the business; the two websites would then each have its own colour as the theme.</li> two small logos on either side of my name which would then become the corresponding logo for that side of the business</li> horizontal only, so as to fit nicely on a business card, letterhead et al</li> I like girly but not cutesy (I know it's a fine line!) but it must maintain professionalism</li>Good luck!

[CBaker14]

theresa,

Ill give it a go.....have something posted today/tonight...

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-CBaker14+Feb 28 2004, 08:48 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (CBaker14 @ Feb 28 2004, 08:48 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> theresa,

Ill give it a go.....have something posted today/tonight... [/b][/quote]
Thanks Chris, I look forward to it!

[CBaker14]

Hey,

You seemed to like the layout you had and font so I just added to it with some icons for your two logos... let me know what you think of this try.

Chris

[CBaker14]

also, either icon would work as a watermark... :D

[Amberene]

Thanks Chris for your first submission!

I quite like the outline style, but maybe with a bit more of an interesting font? The logos could do with being a bit smaller and I'm not super keen on the actual pics. I don't even think having a pen for my writing side is the way to go, maybe something a bit more obscure and quirky like a paperclip or punctuation mark? And training, god only knows, it can be something obscure again. I don't mind that people will look at the logo and think "wtf does this company do?!"

God, I sound all negative, not trying to be! Hopefully there is some direction stuff in there for you. I did like the sillouhette idea and I think you're right that it would look good as a watermark.

Looking though another thread, I saw penny's idea for another client, penny if you're out there, I like your circles! Maybe you could adapt them for me?

<img src='http://www.theresadorrans.com/penny.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Also, you can all feel free to come up with random suggestions of your own, I'm not a designer but a poor little layperson - that is why I upped my original thought of $100 to twice as much - no doubt you guys can wow me!

[Eagle]

*
For that money, we will... ;) ;)

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-Eagle+Feb 29 2004, 11:30 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eagle @ Feb 29 2004, 11:30 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> *
For that money, we will... ;) ;) [/b][/quote]
hehehe :)

[Bill]

Here's my entry...

[Amberene]

Hi pennyln, thank you for your entry! I like the three symbols you have chosen, they could cover either industry and are simple yet easily recognisable. Hmm, don't know what else to say :) I will have a think about what else could be added or changed, but otherwise: :tup:

[Eagle]

*
Hello Theresa

In your initial design brief, you asked for two small logos either side of your name. Can we take it that this is not an absolute? :)

[CBaker14]

Theresa,

Here are some font variations and icon changes...you said it wasn't imperative that someone would know right away what you did by looking at the icons, so I chose a lightbulb for the writing (creativity), and a choice of paperclip (your suggestion) or a wrench or T-Square (technical/training/creating). Let me know what you think...

Chris

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-Eagle+Feb 29 2004, 01:15 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eagle @ Feb 29 2004, 01:15 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> *
Hello Theresa

In your initial design brief, you asked for two small logos either side of your name. Can we take it that this is not an absolute? :) [/b][/quote]
Hey, nothing I say is an absolute :) I figured I could always shunt pennyln's circles to the sides anyway, but they looked good on top. So there!

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-CBaker14+Feb 29 2004, 01:20 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (CBaker14 @ Feb 29 2004, 01:20 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Theresa,

Here are some font variations and icon changes...you said it wasn't imperative that someone would know right away what you did by looking at the icons, so I chose a lightbulb for the writing (creativity), and a choice of paperclip (your suggestion) or a wrench or T-Square (technical/training/creating). Let me know what you think...

Chris [/b][/quote]
Hi Chris,

Thanks for your submissions! I do like the lightbulb. I think the third one down is my fave, but with the paperclip rather than the spanner. Don't want people thinking I am that technical ;) But yup :tup:

[Amberene]

pennyln - my other half said "why is one of the logos a bomb" :) Could you make the third one a little more obviously a mouse (hey, I got it, but he sure didn't)

Also, the font seems to remind me of Apple's font. Maybe change it a little :)

Thanks! But I do like it.

[Bill]

Revised...

[CBaker14]

Theresa...

Hey, I put the paperclip with the third font selection you liked...see how you like it now. The second post will show the two icons as watermarks...

Chris

[CBaker14]

Theresa, here are the icons as watermarks...

Chris

[Flava]

Hows this? I used a abstract image for the logo (keyboard/paperclip) so it can be used for both sides of your work. Different colours can be used for each side maybe a baby blue for the trainning. The logo can also stand by itself and can be used as a watermark. Theres also room to add 'freelance writer/trainner' on the bottem left of each logo.
<img src='http://www.flavabox.com/td.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Artemii]

Hello, Theresa!
Please, take a look at my sample.
Looking forward for your feedback.
Thank you!
All the best!

[Artemii]

Hello again!
And here's the watermark sample.
What do you think?
Thank you!

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-Flava+Feb 29 2004, 05:29 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flava @ Feb 29 2004, 05:29 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Hows this? I used a abstract image for the logo (keyboard/paperclip) so it can be used for both sides of your work. Different colours can be used for each side maybe a baby blue for the trainning. The logo can also stand by itself and can be used as a watermark. Theres also room to add 'freelance writer/trainner' on the bottem left of each logo.
http://www.flavabox.com/td.jpg [/b][/quote]
Hi flava, thanks for joining in! I like your idea with overlapping the two logos. I did think the asterix was a flower to start off with (which I wasn't against) but of course it does make more sense as an asterix! When I was messing about myself (and failing) at making a logo, I thought an asterix was a good punctuation mark to use, so could you make it a little less 'flowery' and a little more asterixy! That would be great. I like the colours you have chosen too, girly but not too girly. Maybe try some differnt types of font? But otherwise: :tup:

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-Artemii+Feb 29 2004, 11:21 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Artemii @ Feb 29 2004, 11:21 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Hello, Theresa!
Please, take a look at my sample.
Looking forward for your feedback.
Thank you!
All the best! [/b][/quote]
Artemii, not too keen on the logos, maybe something a bit more girly-esque? The lefthand logo doesn't do it for me at all. But the lines above and below don't seem a bad idea.

[DesignGeneral]

I will post my entry soon :)

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-DesignGeneral+Mar 1 2004, 06:51 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (DesignGeneral @ Mar 1 2004, 06:51 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I will post my entry soon :) [/b][/quote]
coooool :)

pennyln: here are a couple of pedantic things :) My other half said "that's a Mac mouse!" which I guess it is. Could you make the button part of the mouse more squarish, as I don't do anything with Macs. Told you it was pedantic. Also I looked at it at a glance and it looked like a grenade! Maybe switch the direction? My server is down, but this lame pic is an idea : click on mouse http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=yo...f&user_id=11739 (http://www.imagedump.com/index.cgi?pick=your_stuff&user_id=11739)

Also, and yes sooooo pedantic, could we try the pen as a fountain pen. Incidentally, I think I like the last font the most. And in fact I am back on with the original font too :)

What would a logo look like as a watermark? Just one as an idea is fine.

In general guys, I think I like serif fonts.

[CBaker14]

Theresa,

Would you like to see a seriff font as an outline in my design....how about the original fountain pen from my first design opposite the light bulb?

Chris

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-CBaker14+Mar 1 2004, 08:58 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (CBaker14 @ Mar 1 2004, 08:58 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Theresa,

Would you like to see a seriff font as an outline in my design....how about the original fountain pen from my first design opposite the light bulb?

Chris [/b][/quote]
Chris, yes, try out a serif font or two, that would be interesting to see. The outline style is nice, but if you don't have them, you could try non outlined. I like your two logos, but with pennyln having three I thought his third could be more of a fountain pen nib. I hate ball point pens!

[Flava]

I don't have any suitable fonts for this logo can you give me urls to some fonts you like so I can buy / download them. thx

<img src='http://www.flavabox.com/td2.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Amberene]

okay guys, since I am getting some good responses here I have decided to end the competition on Sunday 7th. Then it's easier on you guys and on me. I will happily take new entries up until the 6th March

[Amberene]

<!--QuoteBegin-Flava+Mar 1 2004, 09:31 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Flava @ Mar 1 2004, 09:31 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I don't have any suitable fonts for this logo can you give me urls to some fonts you like so I can buy / download them. thx

http://www.flavabox.com/td2.jpg [/b][/quote]
flava - top one is spot on :tup: I like the row of different colours at the bottom too. Could be nice as a motif or watermark.

You guys are making this increasingly difficult :) I am pleased I will have some good choices to show other people to get their opinion on. Thanks to everyone so far!

[CBaker14]

Theresa,

Here are some changes...I used one sewrif font as outline and a different font (American Typewriter) solid. I also changed one icon from the paperclip to typewriter keys...figured if you were going all the way back to a fountain pen, why not a typewriter...lol.

Let me know what you think..

Chris

[Aaron]

:)

[Raja]

Bonjour, madame

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/theresa/theresa1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

I used an alternate color scheme because bright pink and orange immediatelymake me think of Dunkin Donuts (http://www.dunkindonuts.com/) (although that might not be a bad thing because then it automatically seems familiar!). But since it is a fun color scheme and I know it's what you originally had in mind, here's the entry in pink/orange:

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/theresa/theresa1a.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Bill]

revised...

[CBaker14]

pennyln...

Just wondering, but shouldn't the buttons on the mouse be on the same end as the cord? Not meaning disrespect, just didn't know if you noticed it...

[Raja]

maybe he's just "working from a different angle" :)

[Amberene]

dunkin donuts :) Hehehehe. We don't have very many over here in the UK. In fact I can only think of one in Piccadilly in London. But you are right :unsure:

On most of the designs I don't think it leaps out as dunkin donuts, but point taken and I do like your purple/green scheme. Although the motif looks a bit like a leaf ;) I imagine it's a feather as in a fountain pen feather? It is early, so don't judge me!

I am out on site all today and tonight (GMT) so won't be able to comment on all the various new entries. It's 6:50am here at the mo! But generally :tup: some interesting directions and there is nothing that outright makes me think "urghh". Raja I particularly remember yours and interesting tagline, works with both companies.

:)

[CBaker14]

LOL...good one raja....:)

[Flava]

<img src='http://www.flavabox.com/td3.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Amberene]

flying visit. . .

raja - I like the design. I like the font but the colours are not grabbing me, could you give some alternatives please. Would you see the symbol working as a watermark?

arthouse - I find your idea interesting but it doesn't seem to be grabbing me for some reason. Also don't like the font at all. But interesting idea!

dynagirl - I like the colours more in the first one, I think. Can you think of how a second logo could be put into it?

pennyln - I think I like my name in black which you tried initially, chris has a point about the mouse (you must be getting pretty fed up with that mouse) and is it possible to see one of the logos as a watermark?

Thanks guys! Hope I haven't forgotten anyone!

[Bill]

Per your request...

[Aaron]

<!--QuoteBegin-Amberene+Mar 2 2004, 07:11 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Amberene @ Mar 2 2004, 07:11 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> arthouse - I find your idea interesting but it doesn't seem to be grabbing me for some reason. Also don't like the font at all. But interesting idea! [/b][/quote]
Bummer about that font ;)
Now I have to cannibalize my "Design Now" rejects...

[Amberene]

thanks arthouse! I like your ideas!

pennyln: that's great!

[CBaker14]

Theresa,

So, which way should we go in revisions...?

Chris

[Eagle]

*
Hi Theresa

¡You train - You write! ;)

Let me know what you think! <img src='http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/smil3y/eaglesmile.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Raja]

hey there, jazzed up

"Looks like your writing a letter!" :lol:

[Aaron]

;)

[Flava]

:)

<img src='http://www.flavabox.com/dorrans.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Amberene]

wow guys! love what you have all been doing for letterheads and business cards! I don't have any comments at all, I think they are all excellent.

Eagle, interesting approach and I really like the concept, but it took me a while to get my head around it. Maybe potential customers would too?

You guys all rule! Thanks for the efforts!

[Amberene]

Okay guys, thank you for all your hard work!

I have decided to end the contest now as I have decided which one fits me perfectly and I don't want you all to waste time on me unnecessarily.

Pennyln is the winner!

Bill - I have a couple of tiny adjustments, but I am probably allowed to PM you now :)

[Michael]

Congrats Bill :tup:


*Moved to the Revisions forum*

[Amberene]

Bill,

There isn't that much that I want to be changed, so just a couple of comments, really.

1. Is the paler orange a percentage of the same orange for the other orange? Does that even make sense?? I.e. is it a two colour logo?
2. what font is my name in?
3. the middle icon, could it be more fountain pen like. More like my own fountain pen :) <img src='http://amberene.com/nib.jpg' border='0' alt='user posted image' />
4. I am doing the website next and would like to use the circles as buttons to press, could they be provided in a circular format??
5. Pedantic or what, but on the mouse (which is perfect now!) the lead infringes the circle, can it be tucked back in please so it's a full black circle!

Thank you for all your help!

[Amberene]

Okay Michael, I finally have everything. You can move this to the archive if you wish.