Another Pet Sitter Needing a Logo!!! - Prize $140

[Mz Kitti]

Hi, (Admin code added by Palmer - 71894X)

My name is Sharon Murphy and I am the owner of Big Dog & Miss Kitti's Pet Sitting Services in Houston TX. I am a professional pet sitter looking for something along the same lines as Terri Randall from Creature Comforts. Just read what she is looking for, minus the fact that I dont sit for Horses, and you will see what I do and what I need from a logo as well.

I want something that looks professional yet is still fun (bizarre is ok with me too). My car is a white Toyota Matrix with Dalmatian spots all over it. My business name and info are on the doors and the back window. The print is in red. My plans are to eventually add ears, a tail, a tongue, and eyelashes... but that will come in time. Also I have plans to make the horn bark! 2004 Art Car Parade, here I come!

A couple of months ago, I had some cartoon drawings done of my concept of Big Dog and Miss Kitti. I was not really satisfied with them but did not know how to convey exactly what I wanted to the company that did them. There was a bit of a language problem and I did not pay much for the designs so I just didnt try with that company anymore. I was really looking for something a bit more sleek than what was sent to me. Maybe an outline of those two figures.

Please email me (email@bdmkps.com) so that I can send the attachments for a picture of my car and two figures. I cant seem to get them to go through with this post.

I want to be able to use the logo for business cards, brochures, signs, forms... My thoughts have been that I would like a Dalmatian print border... animated spots, not real looking Dalmatian spots - see back ground of my website to see what I DONT want the spots to look like - once anyone sees my website, the charity forum might be more in line.

My colors are red, black and white... but I am open to adding any other colors as the logo for one of the associations I am a part of is very colorful and I will need to have that printed on my paperwork as well.

The font I used for my car is called "Good Dog Cool" and I like that a lot... I definetely want to use that font (but I might be open to something else if it is really fantastic).

I need a tag line as well...

I am not crazy about my website although currently it serves a purpose and once this contest is complete, I will probably run one for help with my website. www.bdmkps.com is my web address

The suggested time for running a contest is 10 days to two weeks, so I will assign a deadline of June 27th.

I am really excited about this and I LOVE what has been presented to Terri so far!

Thanks, Sharon

[cre8or]

Originally posted by Mz Kitti@Jun 12 2003, 05:31 PM

...My car is a white Toyota Matrix with Dalmatian spots all over it. My business name and info are on the doors and the back window. The print is in red. My plans are to eventually add ears, a tail, a tongue, and eyelashes... but that will come in time. Also I have plans to make the horn bark! ...
I like your style!

[Mz Kitti]

Thanks...

I must say that driving a car like this has put an end to going through the drive through at night in pajamas!

[cre8or]

Okay Sharon,
I just wanted to post this: a quick sketch.
It's the first thing that popped into my mind when I read: "Big Dog and Miss Kitti"
Might this be the sort of thing you're looking for in a logo/mascots image?
If it is... I'll work on it.
If it's not the right direction... I'll hang a left.

Please advise.
-Kimber

[Palmer]

You're awesome :notworthy:

[jmberra22]

Very nice Kimber!

[Mz Kitti]

Kimber,
I love the cat! And I like the bull dog too, but actually "Big Dog" was my black lab that I lost 3 years ago, so I would like my logo to represent him.

I think it would help if you saw the characters I had done already.

How do I send attachments?

[Palmer]

You can upload attachments (if the file size is not to big) directly to your message by clicking the add reply button then the browse button below where you put your message.

[Mz Kitti]

Thanks. I'll try to do each one seperately. Perhaps because I tried to send all 3 at the same time, it wouldnt work.

First, here is the character that I had done for "Big Dog"

[Mz Kitti]

Here is Miss Kitti

[Mz Kitti]

The system wont let me upload a picture of my car. :(

I'll try to get a picture of it added to my website today.

[Palmer]

Usually if you resize it, the file size will then be small enough. It keeps us from running out of disk space because each upload is stored on our server. Sorry for the inconvenience. :(

[Mz Kitti]

I dont know how to resize it.

[Palmer]

The best way is to open it in your graphics program and select edit then resize or image resize. I'm talking about the actual dimensions, not the size of the file. :)

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by Mz Kitti@Jun 13 2003, 06:36 AM
Here is Miss Kitti
hubba hubba! :wub:

[Mz Kitti]

You should have seen what they sent to me at first! The way she is now is toned way down compared to the first drawing!

[Mz Kitti]

Here is my car.

[sparkie]

Your car is the coolest thing I've ever seen!!! :)

Here is my entry :)

[Raja]

http://www.webfellaz.com/4fun/kitty.gif

[Mz Kitti]

Sparkie, Thanks for your entry. It is very nice but too cartoony for me. Not quite what I had in mind. I am not crazy about the "goofy" look on the dog. I do like the cat though.

ondarox, Really good work but it is not the direction I am wanting to go. Your entry looks very sophiticated and I like it but it is not my style. I appreciate your effort.

I am looking for something more sleek... yet kind of "kitch"... maybe something 50's or 60's style... something very different or unusual. It will need to work well with my car and the font that I am using. My logo will be used for T-Shirts and any company business products/forms.

I really like Kimbers "Miss Kitti"... and her "Big Dog" too, but I would like to see Big Dog as a Lab.

The two figures that I had done by the other company are not quite what I am looking for but they are close to what I think I want. I was thinking along those lines but perhaps more of a fine line drawing without so much detail or color... I am open to any new ideas so just keep submitting what you come up with... any submissions that dont work for me may be perfect for someone else!

I am not sure if any of what I have written will help but I hope so.

Thanks everyone,
Sharon

[cre8or]

Originally posted by Mz Kitti@Jun 17 2003, 07:20 PM


I really like Kimbers "Miss Kitti"... and her "Big Dog" too, but I would like to see Big Dog as a Lab.


I'm workin' on a "Big Dog" Lab... he's on the drawing board right now.
Ill get the rough up here ASAP, so you let me know yea or nay. ;)

[cre8or]

Here's a quick idea for BigDog.
Breed: Labrador
Style: The Fonz

Let me know if I'm getting warm. :D
Thanks,
Kimber

[lang]

Haha.. gotta love the Fonz! Great sketch! :tup:

[Mz Kitti]

Kimber, yes you're getting warm. Big Dog looks a bit too fierce, but that may be ok, given that one aspect of pet sitting is that we protect the clients home... let me think on it and get some feed back from some other pet sitters... but keep working in that direction.

Thanks
Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

:help:

Designers, Please let me know what I need to do to generate some interest in my logo! I truly dont mean to sound pushy, but I'm just getting a bit concerned since the contest is half way over. I am keeping track of the wonderful things all of you are submitting for my fellow pet sitting friends and I am amazed! Thanks in advance for any advice or input.

Sharon

[cre8or]

Hi Mz.Kitti!
Here's another idea: I have the word "Kitch" rolling around in my head... don't honestly know what it means, but anyways -- kitch lead to zoot suit -- and here's what I came up with.
Let me apologize for all the rough sketches... it's just that I think faster with a pencil. If I hit on a design you like, I'll work it up into "real" digital art.
Please let me know.
-Kimber.

[Mz Kitti]

Kimber,

The definition of "kitch" is something that I cant really explain either. If forced to define it, I would say it was a bizarre, funky, retro, kind of style. Try this link and you can get an idea of what it is.

http://www.kitchkaboodle.com

I like the last sumbission. You are really good at what you do! The second design that you submitted was closer to what I have in mind. I like that you showed the entire figures in this last drawing.

This other attachment will give you an idea of where I got the image idea of Miss Kitti from.

[Palmer]

It's spelled kitsch :P

Here are some links to kitschy stuff...
http://www.popoddities.com/ (run by a friend of mine)
http://www.worldofkitsch.com/
http://www.kikiskc.com/
http://www.kitschshop.com/

[cre8or]

Originally posted by Mz Kitti@Jun 21 2003, 05:09 PM
Kimber,

The definition of "kitch" is something that I cant really explain either. If forced to define it, I would say it was a bizarre, funky, retro, kind of style. Try this link and you can get an idea of what it is.

http://www.kitchkaboodle.com

I like the last sumbission. You are really good at what you do! The second design that you submitted was closer to what I have in mind. I like that you showed the entire figures in this last drawing.

This other attachment will give you an idea of where I got the image idea of Miss Kitti from.
The attachment is kinda small, and I really can't make it out... sorry.
Aside from that, do you want zoot-suit Big Dog, orwould you like
me to go back to the Fonz-type Big Dog?
Do you want full bodies? Or would their torsos popping out from a "shape"
be okay? If you go with Big Dog Fonz, I dunno what to dress Miss Kitti in.
If you go full body, she shouldn't be nekkid. Maybe a poodle skirt?
I dunno.
Let me know your thoughts on that, and I'll hit the drawing board.
:D

[cre8or]

Originally posted by Palmer@Jun 21 2003, 05:25 PM
It's spelled kitsch :P

Here are some links to kitschy stuff...
http://www.popoddities.com/ (run by a friend of mine)
http://www.worldofkitsch.com/
http://www.kikiskc.com/
http://www.kitschshop.com/
Thanks Palmer, now I feel all "Kitschy"! ;)

[Mz Kitti]

Wow Palmer... those sites should clearly explain it! Thanks!

Kimber, the Fonz type Big Dog is the one I like best. I do want full body views. As far as what Miss Kitti can wear, the poodle skirt idea is funny! I would like to see that! :D Especially since it will be a cat wearing it.

Also, take a look at the suit the other group did for me... I am ok with something similar to that... it is just that the top of that "catsuit" is a bit to low-cut and a bit too much cat cleavage is showing! I dont want people to think I am selling something besides pet sitting services! :o

[cre8or]

I'll work on it.
I think the poodle skirt on a cat is a funny idea too. :lol2:
I'll try and get something up here soon.
-K.

[cre8or]

Here we go...
Cool dude biker/Fonzie-type "Big Dog", and
Poodle-skirt-wearin' Miss Kitti!

Please note: no poodles were harmed in the making of the skirt... it's all synthetic. :P

[Mz Kitti]

Hi Kimber, The design looks great. :tup:

I love the poodle skirt as well as the faces and expressions on both Big Dog and Miss Kitti. I wish I could say it is exactly what I am looking for, but it just not doing it for me the way I would like for it to. I wish I could be more clear, but alas, if I could, I would not be using this format to find a design I like!

Could we try MK not leaning on BD? I am not crazy about BD's necklace, jacket, belt buckle and his shoes (all very cool but not "it" for me) Maybe a white T-Shirt for him. I think the sweater on MK is cute but again, not quite what I want. What about the poodle on the skirt having spots like my car? Or maybe it could be a dalmatian?

I would like the letters to be in red instead of black. I was also wondering how a fine line drawing might be? Kind of an outline and not so much color. As with all of the other pet sitters, I will be using these images on my business materials and I have to take that into consideration as well.

I really appreciate your input and your work.

[Mz Kitti]

Any "kitschy" ideas anyone?

[Mz Kitti]

PRIZE MONEY DOUBLED NOW!!!! ($140.00) DEADLINE EXTENED TO 7/6/03

All of your entries that have been submitted so far are really appreciated! Thanks Kimber, Sharice, and Raja for your designs... Kimber, a special thanks to you for continuing to work on the ideas!

I am keeping up with some of the other contests and I see some amazing artwork being created! What has been sent to me is awesome as well! All of you are so incredibly good at what you do!

My hope is that by increasing the prize money and extending the date, there will be the opportunity to see more designs from those who submitted already and from some who have not.

I truly dont mean to be difficult and picky... so if there is something I need to do differently as it relates to any designer working on my logo, please let me know.

Looking forward to the next 9 days!
-Sharon

[cre8or]

Appreciating the extension of your deadline.
I'll try to get Big Dog and Miss Kitty a little more kitschy for you.

[Mz Kitti]

Kimber, thanks for sticking with me on this!!!

[cre8or]

Here's another idea.
I gassed the Poodle skirt and gave Miss Kitti Dalmation-spotted bell-bottoms.
I've reduced the colour-scheme to Red/Black (this will drastically reduce any printing costs).
And gave Big Dog red pants. I figured he looks tough, so nobody should give him any flak
over his marvy red pants.
Please advise.
Thanks,
Kimber.

[Mz Kitti]

WOW!!! Very cool!!! I love the red pants and the dalmatian bell bottoms.

I really like the idea of just doing red and black.

With your ok, I'm going to get some feedback from some of my pet sitter friends and my business consulting guy.

[cre8or]

Sure,
Get all the second opinions you need! :D
(I thought you might dig those bell-bottoms)

[Julie]

Here's my go at it...I went the Hello Kitty route since you wanted kitsch :)

[Mz Kitti]

:D Cute cute cute... it is so sweet... really creative and I love what you did with the characters! It is not "me" but I have no doubt that there is a pet sitter out there that will want that one! I have been telling every one I know about this contest.

With your work on the Pet Nanny, I was drawn to pupperdog01, pupprerdog02, pinning04 and pinning12. I'm not sure why, but with the last two, I think it is the "sparkle" that I like. The circle on pinning04 gives it that retro 50's/60's look and I really like that. I hope this helps.

Thank you so much for contributing... I hope you will continue! :)

Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

If anyone is so inclined, I would like to see a siloutte or a line drawing if possible.

Julie, I liked the silouttes you did for "stay at home" cats too!

Continued thanks for everyones efforts on my behalf and that of the other pet sitters!



Sharon

[Juvanescence]

:off: Sorry to go off topic but that design of Kimbers is just so "White Stripes".

Very cool. :tup:

[Palmer]

What's White Stripes?

[Julie]

Here are some adaptations...

[ElKootcho]

Originally posted by Palmer@Jul 1 2003, 06:21 AM
What's White Stripes?
Jeez Palmer! Get with the times, man! <_<

*psst - j-design, what's White Stripes?* :unsure:

[Mz Kitti]

Thanks Julie... I like both of those and they are something to consider... I would definately need a cat in kitti03. Unless I am persuaded differently, I think I want to stay with the black and red color scheme. If anyone wants a challenge to try and change my mind, I am open to that!

I sent a post to one of my pet sitting groups this morning to get them to check take a look at what is here... so I should have more feedback from them later today.

I have kitti's and pups awaiting my visits this morning...
so until later,
Meow!!!

p.s. off topic: any one read Tom Robbins? (Jitterbug Perfume, Another Roadside Attraction...) He is my favorite author... if you know his work it will give you some insight into part of my personality! (maybe a good thing, probably not! B) )

Have a good day artists and remember "its never to late to have a happy childhood!"

[Julie]

Here's another version to look at!

Julie

[Juvanescence]

The White Stripes are a band from Detroit. God you people are old. ;)

Sorr for going off topic again.... :)

[Mz Kitti]

Hey, watch it with the "old" stuff!!!

I looked up the "White Stripes" website and Kimbers work would fit right in!

[Mz Kitti]

I am still gathering feedback on what has been submitted so far. I really do like the directions the work is going, but I would really appreciate more entries to work from.

Sunday is the deadline and I will be making a decison on Monday morning. I would really love to see some other thoughts and ideas. I am not beyond groveling (whining may be next... following by shameless begging and horrible nagging... not a pretty thing...)!

Please please please send more in!!! Sparkie and Raja... dont give up after one entry. Your work has been incredible for some of the other contests and especially the pet sitters.

ElKootcho, ejlain, j-design (who thinks some of us are old...) it would be awesome to see what any of you could do with my logo!

The next few days will be very busy for me, but I will do my best to check in as often as possible. Thank you all for your considerations.

Julie, I saw the speckled newt contest where you did the "store". I love it! Eventually I would like to have items like that for my business! What great marketing tools and wonderful gifts for clients.

Please know that the winner of the Big Dog and Miss Kitti contest will have an opportunity to advertise their services for free on any products like the ones in Julies store, and perhaps on my brochures and other printed materials as well. I made the same arrangement with the company that did the graphics on my car (they have a bumpersticker type sign that says who did the signage for my vehicle and their phone #)

Sharon (aka Miss Kitti)

[Juvanescence]

:blush: Ok...ok...you've guilted me into it. Il submit a few ideas in a few hours.

You had best prepare yourself. It might not be pretty. :)

[Mz Kitti]

You are talking to someone whos decorating style is like Pee Wee's Playhouse! "Pretty" is not what I am expecting nor is it what I want!

Guilt can be soooooooo good sometimes! :lol: Guilt, nagging, crying uncontrolably... whatever works!!! :D

Thanks, Sharon

[Juvanescence]

Slightly different from the other logos for this competition..

[Mz Kitti]

I like the "different"! Truthfully, if you had seen the real Big Dog, you could not have depicted him any better than you did in the design with the, shall we say... "fluffy" lab looking at the cat!

This is a very busy weekend and I will be checking in when I can, although it will not be much. Thank you for submitting your take on things j-design!

I have been taking a look at the cats and dogs on this website (http://www.snaptx.org) They are very bizarre, I really like them... again, something very different than what I had originally thought and different than what has been sumbitted so far... just some insight in the event that anyone else is interested in submitting something else before Sunday.

Have a good weekend.... Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

LAST DAY FOR ENTRIES!!!! I will make a decison tomorrow morning...

Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

Is it possible that the 3 of you who have submitted entries could provide business card and T-shirt examples as was done for Stay at Home Cats?

Great job on all of the designs for that contest (and other pet sitting companies too)! I am keeping up with them all!!!

Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

Sorry, I meant the 4 of you... there has been one image that was submitted early on but has not viewable again until today.

Thanks everyone.

[Julie]

Here's mine as a T-shirt and card...

[Julie]

This is a little rough, like that last example you gave us. Any comments?

[Mz Kitti]

Wow!!!! :tup:

This is fantastic!!! I absolutely love it!!!!

Thank you so much Julie!

Only had 2 minutes to check in... but I will be back online later this evening and write more then.

:D Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

To all, I must apologize for not being able to make more comments on the entries this evening. My schedule has changed due to a pet emergency and I will not be able to get back to my computer before tomorrow. Please pardon the delay in announcing a winner. I also want to get some advice on the last couple of entries too.

My plans are to make a final decision tomorrow but it will be later in the day rather than earlier as I had stated.

If anyone else is wanting to make any last minute entries, now is the time!

I sure appreciate each one of you that took the time and energy to submit an entry. This will be a difficult decision now!

Sharon

[Mz Kitti]

Julie,

I love the latest big dog and miss kitti... they are just weird enough
for me! Weird being a very good thing! Perhaps I should say unique,
original, or "different from the norm".

One thing that I need to correct is that there is an "s" after the word service... it should say Big Dog and Miss Kitti's Pet Sitting Services.

The Dalmatian boomarang is fantastic! Please keep that in any revisions you
might make. I love the biz card! I would like to see how stationery
would look too. I love the sparkles on kitti05. I like the way the
words pet sitting wrap around the circle.

Would it be possible for you to make a few changes to the kitti05? If so, these are the changes I would like to see. I like the way the words are on the kitti04 (over to the side like that) I would like to see the cat smaller and
the dog a bit larger... I would like to see how it would look if the
circle was more like the one you did with kitti02.

Also, with the last two "unique" pets, could you let me see how they would look in place of the other dog and cat...

I have pets waiting on me now... I'll be back later.

Thanks, Sharon

[Julie]

Sharon,

After those great directions you gave, I made some revisions. This first post will contain the logos and the second a letterhead. One note--the boomerang shape really fit well on the business card, but overbalances the logo itself when placed with it along. I came up with some alternatives in versions 7, 9 and 10. I hope you like them!

Julie

[Julie]

And the stationary--

[Julie]

Ooops!

[Mz Kitti]

To all who have entered the contest, thank you so much for all of your fine work! This is not easy as I am considering 3 entries. I am still getting feedback from others and I promise you all, a final decision will be made tonight. It would help greatly to see how each of your images would look on the back of T's, smaller on the left side of a button up shirt, biz cards and stationery.

The info for my business is:
Big Dog and Miss Kitti's Pet Sitting Services
Sharon Murphy - owner
9521 Westheimer, #106
Houston, TX 77063
713-695-1684
email@bdmkps.com
www.bdmkps.com
fax 832-201-8782

Julie, how do you think the new images would transfer to a biz card? I printed them out and they came out larger than they would on a business card.. I am concerned that if they are decreased in size to fit a biz card, some of the detail would be lost.

Also, if you dont mind, could you try making the head on the "unique" cat a bit smaller?

I really appreciate all of you... not just what you are doing for me but what you are doing for other people in the pet sitting industry. Your professional work is really making a difference for all of us. Thanks again so very much!!!!!

Sharon

[Julie]

Sharon--here's a sample of the "unique" :) version, smaller (and with a smaller cat). It might show the detail you want, and it might not, but after printing it out from my hi-res file I know that it's crisp and clean. Some of the problem with printing something off the internet is that I, and probably most of the designers "optimize" the file and change it to a .gif or .jpg so that it uploads faster and is viewable in all internet browsers. Neither type is all that great for detail, but be assured that the detail will be there with the file you'll pick when you decide a winner.

Julie

[Mz Kitti]

Well designers... the results are in from many people whos opinion I respect... included are my family, 3 artists, several of my long time pet sitting clients, a business consultant, a graphic artist/interior designer who has been in business for 25 years and is also one of my newest pet sitting clients that I just signed up on Thursday of this past week, other pet sitters, as well as my friends. All were really impressed with the work that was presented... as am I. Thank you all again for the work you put into this contest.

Kimber, I am absolutely crazy about the drawings you did for me. I think your sense of humor is fantastic. The poodle skirt, the revisions you did for Big Dog... and the Dalmatian pants... all were incredibly good! I cant say enough about your skill and talent as an artist. Everyone raved over your work. You followed what I thought I wanted and came so very close.

j-design, you were so right when you said different... and truly I found your work interesting. Especially the one with the "fluffy" Big Dog looking down at the cat. I might have actually chosen that one because it was exactly what the real Big Dog looked like... however, too many people told me that having a "f-word" (fat) dog on my card would not represent proper pet health!

Raja and Sharice (Sparkie) thank you both for your entries. They are both very nice and many people commented positively about them.

I wish I could choose more than one winner but I am not making that kind of money yet! So, as difficult as it is to decide, I promised that tonight I would make a decision... and the winner for my contest is Julie!

This has been lots of fun. I will continue to recommend this site to others and more specifically direct them to those of you who entered my contest. I wish each of you continued success.

With warmest regards,
Sharon

[Juvanescence]

F*t. Dew dew.

Pleasantly plump I would call it.

:)

[Julie]

Thanks, Karen! This has been a fun one to work on :D I'll be emailing you for details momentarily.

[Palmer]

Congratulations Julie! :tup:

Thanks Sharon, stop by the testimonials forum if you have some free time :) Take care and best of luck with the pet sitting biz.

[Mz Kitti]

j-design... pleasantly plump is how I saw him too! However, the word "manatee" was used on many occasions, by lots of people, during the life of my dog.

Plamer, I'll stop by and put my testamonial up soon... I wish much success to you and the designers here. This is an awesome venue for many people. Thank you again.

Julie... although I will answer to Karen, the name I was given is Sharon :lol: I will be in touch later on today to discuss details.

Take care everyone,
Sharon (Mz Kitti)

[Julie]

Ooops! Where's my head? Let me say it again...thank you, Sharon!