[Project Complete] $100 Forefront Media Logo Contest

[MarketingGuy]

(Admin code added by Palmer - B1899202J)

Title: Forefront Media Logo Contest

Company Name and Tagline: Forefront Media, Advanced Real Estate Solutions

Deadline: Friday October 15, 5pm CST (11pm GMT)

Type of Contest: Logo Design

Prize: $100, guaranteed

Company Details: Forefront Media offers online services to real estate brokers. We do not have a site or current logo.

Use: The logo will be used in black and white print, color print, and web environments.

Creative Direction: The logo should NOT have any real estate icons in it; we're looking for something abstract. The font choice should be modern and clean. The logo and name/tagline should be easily separated so we can use just the logo icon if necessary. Be sure to include both the name AND the tagline in your design.

Colors: Colors will probably be tweaked after the contest, I'm not too concerned about them right now, but they should be subdued and modern.

Style: The company is stylish and approachable. It is not teen-friendly, angry, or loud.

Postings: Please post your ideas in-line (don't link out to them) so that I can review submissions more easily.

Winner: Winner will be required to sign a copyright notice giving us ownership of the logo. If you're not 18, your parents/guardians will have to sign too.

Questions: I'll post at least a single reply every morning (CST). Feel free to post questions.

Thanks! Good Luck.

[Palmer]

Originally posted by MarketingGuy
If you're not 18, your parents/guardians will have to sign too.


We do not allow anyone to participate who is under 18 so this won't be a problem. Good luck with your project and welcome to Design Outpost :)

[Raja]

here's a quick brainstorm of some possible concepts...

[Raja]

some F-M combos...

[Just J]

I think you forgot one combo Raja ;)

:D

[Bill]

Here's my entry...

[Tyler]

Here are a couple :D

http://70.71.15.98/hostedlogos/forefrontmedia1.png

[MarketingGuy]

Special Note: I'm not usually this long-winded, but want to get us all off on the right foot…I'll be shorter in the future.


Raja, Jason, Bill, Radical Seed,

Thanks for kicking off the contest and jumping right in. Special thanks to Raja who had the guts to go first!

General comments: Everyone has a good sense of the modern look we're seeking and the font choices are solid. I know it's tough to come up with something lyrical to complement the logo and that's why you explored the use of F&M letters. But I'd like to steer you toward something more abstract. Generally, I feel some of the letters icons are too reminiscent of the Enron logo.

For a little inspiration, think more about the freedom of Apple computers' iPod. Be careful to avoid anything too "electronic" or "techno" though. Some other words/ideas (that I know I'm going to regret sharing) ink spots (old media irony), razor's edge, horizons, New York's SOHO (clean industrial modern), and pixels.

Also, be sure to include the tagline in your concepts.

And now, some specific comments:

Raja: I admire your ability to crank out 5 options at a moment's notice; that's incredible. Some characteristics I liked in your concepts: emphasizing the word "front" in the name, all of your font choices (except the 3rd which seems a little too traditional), and the 4th F&M icon concept (F's creating an M). I'd say there's no tweaking needed for any of these ideas. I hope you'll consider posting some other concepts, with these things to consider: be sure to include the tagline and avoid literal home/real estate interpretations (your triangle roof concept is good, but the open door concept is probably too literal),

Jason: Thanks for posting. I feel like your icons aren't quite the clean modern feeling we're seeking, but your Forefront fonts are good choices. Honestly, I like your ink spot signature and wonder if there's a version of that (but a little more abstract/toned down) that could work? For the tagline font, I'd explore sans-serif fonts.

Bill: I like the lowercase font work, the logo is solid but we're seeking something a little more inspirational.

RadicalSeed: I'm a sucker for shadows, but I know they don't translate well in b&w print. How would you add a tagline to these ideas?

Thanks everyone!

MarketingGuy/Chris

[samoyloff]

F, F, M. :)

http://samoyloff.com/ffm.gif

[samoyloff]

One more concept. More abstract. I envision a row of skyscrapers or just big city perspective, being viewed through some kind of a viewfinder.. It also looks like something techy, not sure what exactly, but at least it gives me that feeling.


http://samoyloff.com/ffm2.gif

[Raja]

"and that's why you explored the use of F&M letters"

:D no, that's not the reason It's just something I like to do as a fun challenge to myself, logos don't need to use abberviations/monograms unless it really helps the identity and forms a recognizable object, otherwise it's just silly and pointless.

Great feedback nonetheless, thanks for that. I'm just curious as to why you want such an abstract logo mark when you are so catered to real estate. It just seems as things are a bit loose, begining with the company name, forefront media(which is cool by the way). You include media in your name then have this as your tagline "advanced real estate solutions", while your service is one that is online. The tag does not jive with the co. name (just my opinion). Then you would like to see something abstract as your icon. Do you not want people to know what area of business you are in from looking at your logo? It's fine if you do, thousands of buisinesses use that approach successfully, I guess I am just extremely curious in this case :blush:

Maybe if you can clarify your reasoning or give me a cross-section of the intended demographic, I can get you a more appropriate mark.

Also, you have the option of just ignoring my babble, I'm going to go get a coffee
:rolleyes:

[Just J]

To add to Raja's questions...
Can you explain some of the services you provide?

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Here's one from me...

Looking forward to your thoughts.

Thanks,
Deanna

[MarketingGuy]

Thanks Raja and Jason for your questions. Some answers below. Ask more if you like! MarketingGuy/Chris

Q: What type of services do you provide?

A: We are launching online services that are free or nominal cost for consumers. Some services include a free appraisal for your home, a free referral to a local real estate agent, free access to the Real Estate for Dummies books online, free property listings in your neighborhood, etc. We make money from brokers who either pay to sponsor sites, pay for contact info on consumers seeking real estate help, and other fees. (for an example from one of our competitors, see www.housevalues.com)

Q: Why you want such an abstract logo mark when you are so catered to real estate?

A: Our branding will take a back seat to our products, each of which will have its own brand. Kind of like P&G and its Tide product; when the two are together our Forefront Media logo should always be in the background. Also, we may expand beyond real estate.

Q: Why is "media" in the name, "advanced real estate solutions" the tagline, but the products are online marketing?

A: Yep, this confused me too when I started. The Media dept/groups at our broker clients make the purchasing decisions for our types of products. Some have a small web budget but a larger media/advertising budget. We're working with them to transition out of tradigional media (newspaper) into new media (online). Believe it or not, we get more success when we call ourselves a media company. Advanced Real Estate Solutions is actually a working tagline, we're still toying with it (advanced suggests online...maybe).

Q: Who's the intended target?

A: Large real estate brokers' marketing/media groups. This isn't a brand that consumers will see except in rare cases.

[Victoria]

not *too* focused on the f+m, a little abstract.

http://victoria.artorg.co.uk/DO/forefront.gif

[Just J]

Abstract it is ;)

Pushing forward (sorry, I stayed with the "F" "M" theme).

:)

[Fabian]

Hello Chris

The abstract shape that could be used as an branding mark separate from the text.

Cheers
Fabian

[Tyler]

another idea

[carlos(esparza)]

here's an idea for you . . .

thanks,
-carlos

[MarketingGuy]

Samoyloff, Deanna, Victoria, Jason, Fabian, RadicalSeed,

Thanks for your ideas. I think these are much more like what we are seeking for Forefront Media.

One special request. Could you be sure to place the icon to either side of the words "Forefront Media"? I prefer this over a stacked layout because I know that our logo and name will be in the upper left corner of the web page layout and when it's stacked it takes up a lot of valuable vertical space.

Some specific comments:

Samoyloff: I really like your second entry, which does a fantastic job of making the real estate idea very abstract. I also prefer the spacing of "Forefront Media" in your second entry (when the font isn't significantly different for the two words, I think it becomes hard to read without spacing). The first entry is clever, but it looks like a native-American symbol. Which is cool, but probably not what we need.


Deanna: I appreciate you steering away from the F&M concepts. I like your choice of color, though I'm not really worried about color right now. However, I feel that the boxes are a little too severe and they don't quite relate to the font. How would you soften the box concept?

Victoria: I do like your F&M concept. One little request--could you put the icon to the side instead of stacking it? Thanks!

Jason: Thanks for the new path. This is just the type of entry we were hoping for. Abstract icon, etc. Only request would be to place the icon to the side. Thanks.

Fabian: I like this idea also and like your icon. As with Victoria and Jason, could you show the icon alongside the name?

Radical Seed: Thanks for your changes. I think this is much closer to what we're seeking. My only reaction to your idea is that the "Advanced Real Estate Solutions" fonts seem to not quite jive with the overall package--maybe it's because the words are capitalized? What do you think?

Carlos: I like your icon, especially since it conveys the rough nature of old media. But, for me, the "F" script in Forefront doesn't quite work. I think it's interesting to use a different script for the lead letter, but I'd prefer to use that approach for a product that does not have an icon--otherwise the two seem to compete a little.

[Fabian]

:)

[Victoria]

http://victoria.artorg.co.uk/DO/forefront2.gif

[carlos(esparza)]

i agree.

i was a bit worried about that f as well, but had hoped it and the icon would reach a balance of some kind. it would seem they never did.

here is a revision--with just the icon.
thanks,
-carlos

[Just J]

I'm glad you liked it. Here it is with the icon on the side. :)

[Hypnosis]

Hello,

Here is a try from me :)

Yannick

[MarketingGuy]

Fabian, Victoria, Carlos, Jason, and Yannick,

Thanks for your updates and new entries. These ideas are all going down the right path.

I've got specific comments below.

MarketingGuy/Chris



Fabian: That's it. Thanks for the change. Feel free to post any more ideas that you have.

Victoria: Yes. Thanks for the update. Contest runs through Friday so please post other inspiration that you find.

Carlos: Great. Thanks for the change. If any other ideas hit you, be sure to post.

Jason: Good update. Please post other concepts if you have time!

Yannick: Welcome to the forum. I like your approach and have some thoughts. The background F will look great on a business card, but I'm not sure how it will work on a web site, I think that it really needs something in the foreground to give it some punch. My advice is to take a look at the word "media" which you've given some nice heft/weight. When I look at the font and sizing you've chosen, it does remind me of television/media. I wonder if there is some way to add some type of tv static/vertical bars/white noise to the "media" to give it that punch we're seeking.

Thanks again everyone!

MarketingGuy/Chris

[Hypnosis]

Hey,

thanx for the warm welcome, here, I tried to give the "media" word a little more "punch" as you asked, please let me know what you think :)

[MarketingGuy]

Yannick,

Thanks for your changes, I think you've created a unique and very interesting approach. Looks good. If you have any other concepts, please feel free to post those also.

MarketingGuy/Chris

[Hypnosis]

Thanx Chris :)
I'll see if I can post another concept, thank you for the kind words. :tup:

Yannick

[MarketingGuy]

Just a quick reminder that this contest is closing at the end of today, Friday! Thanks to all that enter.

[shnickerdoodle studios]

Last minute entry from me...

Thanks,
Deanna

[DesignGeneral]

I'm working on something too :)

[DesignGeneral]

Here is my entry,

Cheers,

Adrian

[MarketingGuy]

CONTEST CLOSED

All, thanks for your entries. I'm meeting this week with my co-workers to determine a winner. I hope to post the decision before end of Friday this week.

I appreciate everyone's hard work. There are many great options.

MarketingGuy/Chris

[MarketingGuy]

CONTEST WINNER

Thanks to everyone that participated in this contest. I was extremely pleased with the incredible work you created.

This was a tough assignment with little direction, and you all had fantastic ideas.

After much review and a few heated debates, we've selected a winner:

JASON


We felt that Jason's entry was abstract and would not distract from the strong (and sharp angles) of our product brands and logos when they were presented together.

Best of luck with your other contest entries. I hope that you'll participate in future contests that I manage. Currently, I am running the "Intel Inside Type of Logo" contest. Check it out!

MarketingGuy/Chris

[Just J]

Thanks again Chris for choosing my design.

Mods, please move to revisions. Working out the revision details via PM.
Thanks.

[Hypnosis]

Yeeehaaa!, CONGRATS JASON!!!! :tup: ;) :rolleyes: :yes: :) , you're the man!

Yannick

[MarketingGuy]

Jason,
I got your PM and am reposting the last tweak requests here (plus clarification to answer your questions):

1. Could you change the layout so the logo is to the left of the type? (Ignore this request...I actually didn't catch that you had reposted during the contest!...also ignore my PM about the blot direction!)

2. Could you create a little more division between the words Advanced-Real-Estate-Solutions?

3. Would you email it all to me in they layered/hi-res format?
(don't worry about layered files, hi-res is fine)

4. Would you provide your full name, email, and mailing address (got your response...emailing it to you shortly)

Thanks,
MarketingGuy/Chris

[Just J]

Before I get your files together, I just wanted to make sure that you like the tag line spacing.

[MarketingGuy]

Jason, I'm most concerned about the spacing between the words, and it still seems a little jumbled to me. Could we cram the letters in each word closer together (and keep the spacing between words)? Thanks. Chris

[Just J]

Sure Chris :)

[MarketingGuy]

Perfect. Thanks.

[Just J]

I'll get your files together and upload them for you to download a little later tonight. I will PM you with the link.
Thank you Chris.

[Just J]

Link to files sent via email.

Thanks Chris. :)

[MarketingGuy]

All files received--everything is great. Thanks!