[Project Complete] Logo for Landscape design firm, $200 Deadline:August 19th

[wblewett]

Admin code added by Abby - (06577331Y1578910J)
(+$25 Admin code added by Jason - 7WM92527R13365026)

Hi there! We are Land Arts-a landscape design/build firm “turning over a new leaf”,after 17 years in the business. We have a new name, new focus and need a new look! For this project, we need a creative, distinctive logo that sets us apart from the competition. We want something special, different from the traditional landscape company look. A look that is fresh, active and pulled together.

Text included in logo:
Land Arts and website address - www.landarts.net

Our service:
Landscape design/consultation and installation. Plantings, patios and walkways, water features, creative landscape lighting. Emphasis is on artistic, effective landscape design.

Main business goals:
To attract more high-end, upscale clients, and grow the business substantially.

Audience: Upscale, residential homeowners looking for quality landscape work. Mostly women initiate contact, should appeal to women on some level without being overtly feminine.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Clean, concise “handtooled” logo that emphasizes our name – LandArts. Looking for a warm, yet polished look. Not corporate, slick looking. Should suggest a creative, design approach.

Colors: Open to ideas. Needs to work in reverse on photographs!!!

Specific Images or Icons: A very simple image – perhaps symbolic or representative of landscaping/design but definitely NOT clip art looking. Hand-drawn, illustrated look could be nice. The name is most important and should stand out and be able to be read clearly at a distance.

Uses of Logo: website, print materials, business cards, proposals, trucks, yard signs, advertising, embroidery

Key use for us in in reverse = needs to work well on TOP of full color photographs and not compete with the image.

Competitive Positioning:
What sets you apart? We have a natural, flowing sense of design that emphasizes creative and practical solutions. We work with clients as a designer and not just a contractor.

Below are picture files:

1) our attempt at the new logo -- we LOVE the font (Linotype Aperto Roman) it has a polished, upscale look yet
is warm and approachable too. We like the architectural drafting look of the url font (we used Stand7) We like that the name Land Arts stands out clearly. We feel the flower looks too much like clip art. One approach would be to re-tool what we did to give it a more finished look.

2) our old logo -- we liked the illustration, it definitely got noticed and the logo was distinctive and pleasing but the size (height) was awkward and limiting. There was too much detail in the logo for small embroidery. We are not looking for so much illustration this time but the hand illustrated look was nice.

3) a photo of one of our jobs --could be used to demonstrate what the logo idea would look like on top (in the corner identifying the photo as work done by LandArts)

4) a website we like -- we like the look of the edgewater design website and maybe it gives you a feel for our sense of taste and design. We plan to use this look and feel for our website. http://www.edgewaterdesign.com/aboutfirm.htm

Thanks! Looking forward to the process!! :)

[Artemii]

Hello! :)
Here's my entry.
Artemii.

[wblewett]

Hello! :)
Here's my entry.
Artemii.

Thanks Artemii for your creative idea. This is not really the look we are going after though. The look here is a bit too modern and chunky. We are not opposed to incorporating the "LA" outright but probably would prefer some type of symbol/drawing of nature to help communicate what we are about.

Please refer to the pics we have of the font we liked before (our logo attempt) and our previous logo. We are looking a more refined (but not stuffy) look and one that would work well on top of full color photos and not draw the eye too much away from the photo.

Thanks,
Wendy

[Artemii]

Thank you for the feedback!
Maybe something like this?
I've plyed around your sketch.
Artemii.

[wblewett]

Thanks Artemii -- your second version is much closer to what we are looking for.

Here are some things to try:

1) variations on the flower -- we like the feel of it with the font but would like to see some other choices. Also, we would like to see how it looks with the flower pulled down some.

2) text -- keep all in black but with a deeper green on the lower "swoosh" under the Land and a richer color (not green) on the flower.

3) URL -- change to www.landarts.net and bump up a size

Thanks again,
Wendy

[wblewett]

Artemii -- Also, can you place the new version on the lower corner of the color photo we bookmarked so we can see what it would look like in reverse on a photo?

Thanks - Wendy

[Artemii]

Hello again, Wendy!
Thank you for the quick and detailed feedback!
Here are two modifyed versions.
Artemii.

[Artemii]

:)

[Artemii]

:)

[Artemii]

:)

[bogglins]

:)

[wblewett]

Some feedback:

Artemii: We are not liking the flower on the A. The other art that represents the land is close but it doesn't read in reverse.

Pieter: Thanks! We feel the butterfly is too frivolous for our purpose. Also, the leaf does not read in black. We would like the name to jump out a little more.

Hoping to see some more submissions from others too. :)

Thank you,
Wendy

[pracus]

:)

[wblewett]

Pracus -
Thanks for the submission. The name is very hard to read with the swoosh/line through it. The butterfly is probably not the right motif for us because it doesn't really speak to landscaping.

We'd love to have a more hand illustrated look, which may be what you were going after, but it is most important that the business name is clear as we've stated before.

General Comments

Attached are some logos that we think are effective. While none of these are exactly right for our purpose, we thought it might provide more insight.

Note: We do like the general direction of the fonts used by the designers thus far so that look/font is probably best and the graphic should work well with the name and not dominate it. Also, the graphic should read very well in reverse, primarily white on a full color photo.

Thanks, Wendy

[wblewett]

Relevant Studio --
The leafy easel and artist's brush was a creative idea - thanks for the effort! Unfortunately this graphic just doesn't feel right to us. It took a minute for us to figure out the image and meaning and our customers will often see our logo quickly (on yard signs, a direct mail postcard, the side of truck) and it's important for them to get it right away! Also, we probably do not want to be that literal with the arts idea.

Do you think you could work up any other ideas on nature images that could be worked around or with the text?

General Comments:
We would love to see images that have a hand-illustrated flair but are very clear as to what they are.

Maybe there is a similiar font to what's been used in the previous posts that has a more hand drawn feel? That combined with a warm illustration could get us closer. Or take our font (or one similar) and rough it up some (?) to give it some interest.

We like the hand drawn feel of the below "black and brew" logo. Of course, it works for a coffee house and we need a more conservative, not so busy look. We like the size of the graphic to the text in the second horizontal version better.

Don't mean to go on and on -- I'm just trying to provide enough feedback so we can get there!!

THANKS!!!
Wendy

[Just J]

Hi Wendy,

I couldn't get the statement "turning over a new leaf" out of my head. I thought that statement could make a nice "L" & "A". :)

[wblewett]

Jason -- thanks for your submission, appreaciate the creativity! We would prefer to not have a script font and the leaves and font together kind of have a "Florida/tropical" feel and that doesn't work for our area (NC)

***DESIGNERS***

As we have gone through this process of thinking of what kind of distinctive look we want, we have decided that we really want an earthy, hand drawn look to our logo. We want our customers to be drawn to a landscape company that clearly has an artistic flair and that would be fun to work with while looking competent and polished as well.

I have searched and searched the internet for examples of this look and they are very hard to find.

Some guidelines:
- Please NO cursive font and only graphic elements that are clearly identifiable.

- The company name should be the dominate element and maybe a mostly text/font logo would work well in that way.

- One impt. use for us will be in reverse (and white) on top of photos.

Bogglins/Pieter: We like the pop/modern feel of your idea because it felt positive and energetic. Maybe an idea along those lines but warmer and more hand-drawn looking. Should still be somewhat serious.

I'm attaching a couple of more examples of what we mean by a hand-drawn,warm feel.

We will probably extend the deadline. Thanks to everyone for the submissions thus far. There were several really creative ideas, just haven't gone in the direction we need yet.

Thanks,
Wendy

[Just J]

Trying to get a grasp of what you are looking for...

Any closer? :)

[Fabian]

Hi Wendy

Using a flower to represent the beauty that comes from a fully landscaped gardern.

Looking forward to your feedback :)

Thanks
Fabian

[Paula23]

Here's a couple more for you :)

[Paula23]

Thanks,Paula

[Grafissimo]

... one from me .... comments welcome ... :yes:

[wblewett]

Thanks to everyone for the new submissions and interest!!

Some feedback:
Jason -- the graphic is more in line to what we are looking for as far as having a hand-drawn look. The tree is too simplistic though. Also, we want our name to be dominant in the logo.

Fabian -- not liking the font or flower. The font is too modern, we going for a warmer look and the flower is too large and just doesn't communicate.

Paula -- very attractive logos! The font seems a bit stuffy in tone. We want a warmer, friendlier look. Could you try to find a font that is clean and crisp but more earthy? Is there a way to "rough up" the graphic some to make it look more like a hand-drawn illustrated, artistic rendering? Also, can you show us the leaf and landscape in greens, instead of browns?
On a side note, Paula, I was looking at your portfolio and noticed one of the logos you did was for a gift shop in La. that is next door to my parents' home (This'N'That) Do you work out of La.?

Rel.Studio -- We do not care for the quill leaf. We really want a hand-drawn feel to it all. Appreciate your efforts.

Grafissimo -- the "art noveau" type font isn't really right for us, it seems a little dated and is hard to read. I'm not sure we want to split up the Land and Arts, we are really trying to make that stand out in our logo.

Thanks,
Wendy

[wblewett]

Hey Jon -- Nice work!

We like Version 6 best but the flower is not quite right. We like the feel and style of the graphic but this one resembles a sandollar or starfish. We do like that it's abstract. Could we see some other examples in that same vein? We like the subtle two tone effect but could we see some other shades? The background would be something like a slate blue. Oh, and the web address is www.landarts.net

Thanks :D
Wendy

[Paula23]

Thanks for the feedback :)
That's great that you frecognized my 'This N' That" logo
what a small world!
I'm located in Mesa,Arizona.
Here are the logos with some friendlier fonts.
I'd be happy to make any other adjustments...

[Paula23]

Thanks,Paula

[CriaturaCreativa]

Hello! :)

Here goes my concept, hope you like it!

Regards

Eduardo

[wblewett]

Thanks Paula and Eduardo for your creative ideas!

Paula -- I'm liking a couple of these. Want to think on it. In the meantime, could we see the orig. font you used now with the leaf design again? The land graphic is maybe a bit too wind tunnel "swooshy" - somehow it's not working for us. Maybe it could be retooled in some way. Is it possible to go into the other font and rough up the edges some the way you did with the leaf? Don't know if that's feasible.

Eduardo -- What an interesting concept! It's cool but I think the landscape elements are a bit TOO abstract, they kind of look like blobs (but cool blobs!) ;) I'm not sure what you could do in this regard. Also, the name maybe gets a little lost in the graphic.

Thanks,
Wendy

[pracus]

:)

[Paula23]

Here's the original font roughed up :)

[Paula23]

..

[Paula23]

and an alternate font :)

Thanks,Paula

[wblewett]

Paula -- :D Love the font!! (Version 2d)

Could we see a few more choices on the graphic other than the leaf? We'd like it to be more square shaped and placed beside the name. We would like the image to be more of a line art kind of look that is not boxed in and that would read better in reverse. We do like the feel and look of what you are doing with this, just need to find that pefect art.

Thanks for your hard work!

-- Wendy

[CriaturaCreativa]

Hello :)

Glad you liked the idea...

I've reworked it so:

1) It mixes the trees sillouetes with more abstracts forms, progressively...

2) It is more legible the typography

3) It keeps the original concept :)

Hope you like it

Regards!

Eduardo

[Senter]

I thought I would throw my entry into the ring.
http://www.thinkkre8tiv.com/LandArts1.jpg

[Paula23]

Thanks for the feedback.
I'll come upwith some new icons
and post later today :)

Thanks,Paula

[wblewett]

Thank you to everyone for a great contest!! We had a number of VERY creative and attractive logo ideas!

We have decided to go with Relevant Studio (Jon's) logo concept Version 6 --> Jon, we would like to move to revisions forum to make some minor adjustments - thanks! :)

Paula -- thanks so much for your time and creativity.

Pracus -- what a pretty and artistic idea!

Eduardo -- very cool and imaginative but didn't think it read well enough for us in reverse

Thinkkre8tiv (Bart) -- Wow! gorgeous logo!

And thanks also to the other designers who submitted entries. This was a good experience for us and we are very excited about our new look!!

- Wendy and Evan Blewett
LandArts

[Senter]

Well i guess I entered a little to late. Congrats Revelant!!

[wblewett]

Hey Jon -- great! Okay, well, here are a few things:

1) Can we see the logo in some different subtle shades of green and then also in a some slightly darker versions of what you chose before? We love the two tone effect.

2) The image -- the flower is really striking, we are liking it more and more. We like that it's abstract and has nice movement and it fits the style of the font very well. I guess I wish it didn't remind me so much of a starfish so maybe if there are any very similar round flower images that have that same feel, we could see some substitutions. If not, maybe we could work with closing in the flower just a little bit. We played with it some but found that what we were doing was changing the open effect of it too much.

3) Could we see what it would look like if the name was staggered in point size just a little: either the L and A brought up in size just a small bit or the "and" and "arts" brought down or maybe both?

Oh, and also - you probably have already changed it -- but it's www.landarts.net (not com)

Thanks!
Wendy

[wblewett]

Thanks Jon --

Could we see some other art that you feel may work? We probably don't want to stagger the font. We are still thinking on color variations.

-- Wendy and Evan

[wblewett]

Hi Jon,
Could we see versions of the logo in various greens, not light or neon? We are looking for subtle, classy choices on color. Also, can we see what it would look like with less of a two tone effect, still there but not as much of a difference in shades? Or another way that might work is for the name to be all one color (the darker) and the flower to be in both the light and dark two tone and the url the lighter? Just want to experiment some with that. Any luck finding other art?
Thanks,
Wendy

[wblewett]

Hi Jon --
We've talked a lot about this and have decided that it is unlikely we are going to find other artwork that really fits the way this image does SO we would like to keep this image and do the following:

** Put the logo centered in a black box -- we feel the image and logo reads most clearly in reverse. ** Could we see also what it would look like if the box was a dark olive type color with the name white?

We are going to need the following file versions of the logo:

1) the logo in a box (as described above) -- one question: will the file be editable so that later a designer could change the color of the background box?

2) the logo not in a box

3) a version without the box that I can put over photographs -- can you explain to me how to do this?

We will need .gif .tiff .jpeg and any other file types that you think would be helpful for web design and print mediums.

Lastly, please note what the different fonts are.

Thanks, Jon -- we are really pleased with the logo!! :)

[wblewett]

Jon -

We were sure hoping to finish this out before the weekend.

Thank you,
Wendy

[wblewett]

Thanks Jon, a few points:

1) Our URL is landarts.net (not com) please change in each file

2) Can you make the black box a little smaller all around? It seems like it's floating just a little.

3) I didn't see a file with the logo just in black (not in a box)

Thanks,
Wendy