Automotive Performance Engineering -$100

[jdebler]

(Admin code added by Palmer - M173115W)

Hello all!

I am working with a company that is in dire need of a logo redesign.

Company Name: Automotive Performance Engineering, but the company goes by "AP Engineering"

Company Profile: AP Engineering specializes in high-performance race modifications, race engine packages, performance parts and tuning for late model General Motors cars, such as the Chevrolet Camaro, Pontiac Firebird, and Chevrolet Corvette. Other cars we plan to cater to are Cadillac XLR, Cadillac CTS-V, Hummer H2, Pontiac GTO. (Do a google search on these if you are not familair with them) :)
Our current web site is http://ww.automotiveperformance.net
(Yes, the web site redesign will come next)

Project Scope: Complete logo redesign. The current logo can be viewed on our web site here:
http://www.automotiveperformance.net/image.../ape_banner.gif (http://www.automotiveperformance.net/images/ape_banner.gif)
I know it is a bit hard to see in the image due to the image effect, but the current logo is the "AP Engineering" part with the checkered flag. Obviously, this needs to change.

In addition, we plan to use the slogan "Serious GM Performance" in our applications where space allows, but we are currently researching to find out if this has or has not been used by someone else...so it might change. For now, we can run with it.

Intended Audience: All levels of General Motors performance car enthusiats from weekend racers to show car owners to full-blown die-hard all-out racers.

Complete Design Requirements We need a new logo in multiple size variations. Due to the wide variety of sizes we plan to use, multiple variations of the new logo is acceptable. We plan to implement the new logo in the following:
Vinyl graphics such as windshield banners, small stickers for tool boxes (single color)
- Windshield banners are approximately 36" wide x 6" tall in size
- Small stickers will vary in size and shape

T-shirts, jackets, shop shirts, etc. (multi-color)
- For both on the back of the shirt and on the front left pocket area

Web related (multi-color)
- Standard banner sizes
- For general web site usage

Business documents (both single and multi-color)
- Business cards
- Company letterhead
- Print advertisements
- etc.

Style As far as style, we are looking for something that fits somewhere in the following area:
- Modern but not to too "sci-fi" or too "techno"
- Aggressive but not too wild
- Clean but not plain
- Definitely performance-oriented but not using the stale old "Racing" script like what is found here:
http://www.cbr600f4.com/store/logo.jpg :sick:
- Use of checkered flag is okay, but we sometimes feel even that is too overdone.

We are just looking for something that is highly versatile, eye-catching, fresh, bold and clean. We want to convey serious automotive performance. Simplicity is a must because when we get our vinyl stickers made, the simpler the design is the easier they are to produce and the less it will cost us. The same goes for when we go to get t-shirts and jackets, etc. Versatility is also a must for the vaious sizes will be using the logo on.

We will need all formats for the final output, Illustrator files, .PSDs, .EPS, any fonts used, etc.

Deadline We are not in a super big hurry but I'd like to get something completed in one week but can extend to two if necessary.

You guys may have some fun with this one ! Let's see what you got! Feel free to ask any questions necessary.

-J

[Just J]

:)

[Just J]

...or long because of the window stickers

[jdebler]

blackspot...

Not bad...not bad...

However, I need it to be more sporty and aggressive. Almost lean and mean looking...ALMOST.

:)

-J

[Tyler]

Heya! How do you like this?? :D

<img src='http://24.87.106.228/hostedlogos/apeng1.png' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[mbleigh]

<img src='http://www.mbleigh.com/projects/apengineering/apengineering.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

I was looking at the name of your company and realized the letters themselves formed a kind of abstract dragster so I ran with it. I can really see this logo working for a storefront and all kinds of applications. Let me know what you think!

[jdebler]

They all look very good, but we aren't quite feeling it yet.

radicalseed: Not quite what we are looking for...that is a bit too busy.

mbleigh: That is pretty neat, but we are not a dragster shop. :)

We perfer to stay away from a "theme logo".

[mbleigh]

<img src='http://www.mbleigh.com/projects/apengineering/apengineering2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Simple text logo, but I think it still conveys a kind of automotive/racing vibe.

[Just J]

Still trying to get a feel for what it is you are looking for.
Oh, and just in case you wanted to see what the vinyl could look like B) :lol:
(BTW, it's my car :rolleyes: )

[jdebler]

<!--QuoteBegin-blackspot+Jun 9 2004, 10:32 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (blackspot @ Jun 9 2004, 10:32 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> Still trying to get a feel for what it is you are looking for. [/b][/quote]
Heh...so are we!

Some of the things we have seen so far are very nice, but they don't quite invoke the feeling of speed and performance for us.

I think if we got away from the traditional and business-style fonts and into something sleeker, more modern and more aggressive while still holding a hint of professionalism, that might help.

We want people to just see our logo on shirts and cars and such and say something like, "Wow...they must build some fast cars there."

Speaking of fonts...another font that is very well suited to this sort of industry but is WAY overused is the Serpentine font. We'd like to avoid using that as well.

Hope this helps!

-J

[mbleigh]

I will work on making it look fast, sleek, and modern, but could you tell me if you like the color scheme/stroking effects?

[jdebler]

<!--QuoteBegin-mbleigh+Jun 10 2004, 12:17 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (mbleigh @ Jun 10 2004, 12:17 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin--> I will work on making it look fast, sleek, and modern, but could you tell me if you like the color scheme/stroking effects? [/b][/quote]
Yes, the color scheme and stoking effects is decent, but we won't be able to use the effects when making vinyl decals for the race cars. If you feel so inclined, we'd also like to see it in variations of red/grey and black/grey. No big deal there as I am sure that is a simple change. :tup:

Remember, this logo will need to go in various shapes an sizes. :D

I think the windshield banner will be the toughest one to work with, but it is absolutely necessary.

One thing I might want to add, the "AP" part can be a different font/style than the "engineering" part as long as they integrate well and compliment each other. Just creative food for thought. B)

Sorry that this is a tough one!

[Eagle]

*
Va-va- voom! <img src='http://www.eagleimagery.co.uk/smil3y/eaglebrow.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Includes spot colour version for vinyl printing etc.

[Just_G]

#1 Speedometer

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Here's one from me.

Looking forward to your thoughts.


Thanks,
Deanna

[nvoke]

a version from me...let me know if you would like to see changes...

[jdebler]

eagle:
Definitely different and nice, but we can't use the horse. It signifies the Ford Mustang, which is the competition for the cars we build. :blink: :)

Just_G:
Wouldn't fit on a windshield banner unless the speedo was removed, and then it would look sorta plain.

shnickerdoodle:
Sorta on the right track, but too thin and too retro.

piece_of_mind:
On the right track. I like the font, even though it is not quite what I was trying to picture in my murky brain. What font is that? The checkered flag looks sorta like a zipper to me. I don't know if this is good or bad... :D The more I look at it, the more it grows on me, but I am still not sure if the bullseye is being hit just yet. Getting closer to it, though! I am trying to figure out how it would look if it was arranged to fit in a space of approximately 36" x 5" or so on a windshield banner. I don't know if that can happen, but you are definitely starting to head in the right direction!

I tell you all, I HATE being a critic. Believe me.

The work is great gang...keep it up!

-J

[Eagle]

<!--QuoteBegin-jdebler+Jun 11 2004, 02:04 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jdebler @ Jun 11 2004, 02:04 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->eagle:
Definitely different and nice, but* we can't use the horse.* It signifies the Ford Mustang, which is the competition for the cars we build. :blink: :)
[/b][/quote]
lol :rolleyes: it figures! :)

Do you like the logo in general though?...maybe I could work-in something more 'GM' related? B)

[nvoke]

the font is compacta italic...
yeah I wasn't thrilled with the checkered flag/zipper effect either, just kind of wanted to get it out there. thanks for the feedback and I'll return with revisions...
thanks :)

[nvoke]

a bit different...

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Here is another one from me..

Looking forward to your thoughts

Deanna

[Carl]

Heres a look...

[mbleigh]

<img src='http://www.mbleigh.com/projects/apengineering/apengineering3.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

Thought I'd try a totally new direction.

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/ape/ape1.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Flava]

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

[jdebler]

piece_of_mind:
Getting even more in the right direction. I think the "AP" is a bit too big/tall in comparison to the "engineering", and the color strokes in the "AP" aren't doing it for us.

shnickerdoodle studios:
Hmm...nice but not quite what we are looking for.

Carl:
Not bad...the font is too thin for vinyl printing, though.

mbleigh:
Nice and grungy! :) But I don't think that fits into our scheme of things.

dynagirl:
Hey, not bad at all. Keep playing with variations of that.

Flava:
Man, would that ever look good on a t-shirt! Note quite what we had in mind, though.

One more detail while I am thinking of things...we try not to be known as "APE" because people who are not familiar with us see "APE" on a t-shirt, they think of a primate and not a speed shop. :)

Keep them coming!

-J

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Here's another one..

Thanks,
Deanna

[nvoke]

there you are...

[Carl]

another try...

[Eagle]

*
<!--QuoteBegin-Eagle+Jun 11 2004, 02:18 AM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (Eagle @ Jun 11 2004, 02:18 AM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->Do you like the logo in general though?...maybe I could work-in something more 'GM' related?&nbsp; B)[/b][/quote]
:)

[Buginajar]

Here's something to look at.....

[Buginajar]

And on a vehicle as a windshield banner....

[Fabian]

:)

[Fabian]

or on the other side ;)

[jdebler]

shnickerdoodle:
Not bad...a nice different spin on it. I'd actually like to see what it would look like is the "AP" and the checkers was the same height as the "Engineering" part.

piece_of_mind:
Geting better all the time. I still think the 'AP" is too large in comparison to the "engineering" part. Plus they are on different slants when you look at the first "e" in "engineering". I somewhat like the subtle checkers, I didn't think I would. Could I also see what it looks like in all black so I can see how it would be in a single color vinyl decal? You will probably have to make a thin white stroke to separate the checkers from the letters. We are getting somewhere with this one...

Carl:
I like the oval shaped version, but the top ones aren't doing it for us. It looks good, but not fitting to the style we are trying to find.

Eagle:
Yeah, the design is VERY slick and if we were a Ford Mustang shop we would probably jump all over it, but we are leaning toward a slightly more streamlined style, like what piece_of_mind has cooked up.

Buginajar:
VERY nice. What makes that work is the style, but it unfortunately that style doesn't fit within OUR style. The AP part looks a little too geared for the import (Honda, Nissan, etc. crowd and the flag is a bit too traditional.

Fabian:
Nice and clean but not quite what we are looking for.

Did I mention that I hate having to be a critic? :huh:

-J

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Here ya go...

Deanna

[Carl]

One last shot...

[nvoke]

revised...

[Tyler]

Here is another idea

<img src='http://24.87.106.228/hostedlogos/apeng2.png' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[Buginajar]

Another with a less "ricey" font for "AP" :D

[jdebler]

FLASH!

I hate to have to do this, but I have to cut this one short. I just learned there is a big race this weekend and we need to have some vinyl cut to put on the race cars by then. Again, I don't like to have to do it like this.

So, a decision will be made by tomorrow morning and we will need to have all digital files by tomorrow evening to get started on the vinyl.

shnickerdoodle studios:
Not sure about it with the new "AP" size...I need to look at it a little longer.

Carl:
VERY nice, but I think it would work for a windshield banner only.

piece_of_mind:
Very, very nice. The more I look at it, the more I like it. Can the "AP" part be a bit smaller yet or is that as small as it can go? Also, can you show another version of it in the proportion of a 36" wide x 6" high (or around that sizes, it doesn't have to be exactly that size)?

RadicalSEED:
Nice but not quite punching me in the head. ;);)

buginajar:
Giving piece_of_mind a run for his money, eh? ;) That's not bad. If you want to play around with some variations of that, I'd like to see what else you come up with.

Thanks all! I will try to stay on top of this thread all day so I can quickly make a decision tomorrow.

-J

[mbleigh]

I'll try to have one more concept up by tonight.

[DesignGeneral]

Working on something. I'll be back :)

[DesignGeneral]

Here we go, ;)

Feedback is appreciated :tup:

[Just J]

One before before the end...

[Carl]

Carl:
VERY nice, but I think it would work for a windshield banner only.


J,

You asked for several treatements of the logo, which you will get once the logo goes into revisions.

I wanted to give you the most impact by showing you the window banner version first, since that seems to be the one that has the strictest size limitations.

I can rework my submission into many different sizes/configurations.

Carl...

[Just_G]

:o

[Eagle]

<!--QuoteBegin-jdebler+Jun 14 2004, 02:35 PM--></div><table border='0' align='center' width='95%' cellpadding='3' cellspacing='1'><tr><td>QUOTE (jdebler @ Jun 14 2004, 02:35 PM)</td></tr><tr><td id='QUOTE'><!--QuoteEBegin-->FLASH!

I hate to have to do this, but I have to cut this one short.&nbsp; I just learned there is a big race this weekend and we need to have some vinyl cut to put on the race cars by then.&nbsp;
-J[/b][/quote]
*
Hello J

We appreciate that you have had to cut the contest short because of unforseen circumstances. However, please be aware that our designers work in varying time zones and meeting your new deadline may be difficult if not impossible.

We will do our best! :)

[nvoke]

there you are...

[Raja]

did this extremely fast, off track?


*edit* these colours will not print, so, they can be simplified. This design is meant to work in one solid colour regardless.

[Tonya]

<img src='http://www.frobo.com/graphic_work/ape/ape2.gif' border='0' alt='user posted image' />

[mbleigh]

One last entry...

[jdebler]

Okay all,

The past submissions are pretty darn nice. However, piece_of_mind is leading the pack with this one. He just seems to be hitting closest to the bullseye so far. Some of you are certainly giving him a run for his money, though.

I will have to make a decision within 6 hours from now in order to get the files over to our printer in time. So if anyone has a submission that can knock piece_of_mind off the top of the hill, feel free to post it.

Again, I apologize for having to cut things short like this. If it were up to me, I would let this one run for 2 weeks. I hope you all understand my situation.

-J

[DesignGeneral]

Any feedback regarding my entries?

Thanks

[jdebler]

DesignGeneral:
The design was slick, but the font wasn't quite in line with what we are looking for. Sorry!

All:
I am out of time, I tried to hold out as long as possible but we are right down to the wire.

I am going to have to declare piece_of_mind the winner.

piece_of_mind:
PLEASE e-mail me or PM me ASAP with where I can download all of the files. Thanks!

I want to express my appreciation to everyone involved. The works were great, and it is very hard to say "sorry, not what I am looking for" when the design is very good, but not the style we require.

I also want to express one my time my apologies for having to end this contest so abruptly.

Thanks again to all!

-J

[nvoke]

j,
thanks so much...glad you liked it....I pm'd you with some info,
chat later,
amanda

[nvoke]

files sent... :)

[AlexKogan]

Congrats, Amanda! :tup:
A question to the Contest Holder: have you got the files? :)
I'll move it to the Revisions Forum, meanwhile.