[Project Complete] Structural engineering firm (logo, card & letterhead) -

[deveng]

Admin code added by Abby - (9ME05419FT563153T)

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
Devlin Engineering

What type of product or service do you offer?
Structural Engineering services.

How long have you been in business?
5 years

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
Project a professional appearance, and allow easy recognition of the logo on drawings, cards, construction sites, etc.


Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience
General and residential contractors, subcontractors, building owners and lawyers


Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Simple, 2-colour (probably) logo. No gradients. Something that can easily be seen from a distance, imported into AutoCAD, reproduced by a vinyl cutter, and embroidered on a golf shirt.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
None at the moment. Surprise us, but don't go crazy.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
The tools of the trade (T-square, triangle, etc.) have been done to death. We often work on concrete restoration and concrete shoring design, but that doesn't translate into a logo. So, no.


Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Professional and clever.

What is your tagline or slogan?
No tagline or slogan desired.

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?
"Devlin Engineering are the structural consultants on this project"

Where will your new logo be used?
Business cards, letterhead, drawings, construction signage.


Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
Structural engineers are not known for their sense of style or websites. Large firms do have them, and very simple logos. Local large firms:
http://www.hatch.ca
http://www.yolles.com
http://www.halsall.com
Medium-sized:
http://www.mccavour.com
http://www.anrep.com

Though simple, their logos are easily recognizable in the local industry. Quality of logo and website drops significantly with the smaller firms. We won't even have a site, for now. Devlin's logo can be be more clever, but still has to be tasteful.


Additional Info:
Business card: One-sided, for basic card stock (we often write on the other side in pencil)

Letterhead: Top 1-1/2" taken for letterhead and margin. Must be legible when faxed.

Company Address:
Devlin Engineering Ltd.
489 Timothy Street, Suite 5
Newmarket, ON
L3Y 6M7
T 905-895-9901
F 905-895-0651
info@devlinengineering.com

Cards:
Martin Devlin, M.Eng. P.Eng.
martin@devlinengineering.com

Craig Hansen, B.Eng. & Mgmt.
craig@devlinengineering.com


We look forward to the submissions.

Edit 1: Changed "Unit" to "Suite" in address

[Radu]

Here's my entry.

[Senter]

Here is mine. Basically it focuses on your company being the cornerstone of your market.
http://www.thinkkre8tiv.com/DevlinEngineering1.jpg

[deveng]

Thank you for the early submissions.

Ruiari, I'm not sure what I'm looking at. Could you explain?

kre8tiv, I think you're on the right track, but wonder if the logo is too generic? I swear I've seen it before. I'll get back to you.

[Radu]

Here is the thinking behind the logo:
The overall logo has a rectangle shape with your company name at the bottom - the foundation of your logo. The proportions of the upper part (the green square) are controled by the rounded thin shapes that intersect the square and they define at the bottom a segmented part - I choose not to have squares in the bottom part of the big green square to reflect the "human touch". The result is a solid and stable shape, cut down and having a stable base as your company name. The way "L" and "I" interact with the green square suggest that Devlin is the source of the green square's "evolution".

[deveng]

Thanks to Palmer for adding the deadline to the project, now let's get this design process kick-started again.

To reiterate, we're looking for something clever, but not too "busy". The above examples are a good place to start, and though I'm not sold on Ruairi's first version, Bart is on the right track, at the very least. Bart (thinkkre8tiv), I haven't seen that logo in my searches, so maybe I'm just imagining things.

I'm impressed with some of the ideas that are springing forth from the "Thunderhead Engineering" thread, and would love to see some of the same creativity happening here. If there is something I can do to correct that, let us know. I'd appreciate feedback on how I'm doing, if the amount offered is fair, and what you guys need from me.

[deveng]

A very strong submission, Jon. There is a devilish element to it, but it's not overt. My only concern is that other designers will see my positive comments, and give us six drafts involving horns and pitchforks. lol

[Aaron]

Here's what I see...

[deveng]

Aaron, playing on the company initials is certainly expected, and encouraged, but what you've drawn looks like a bow tie. Engineers don't wear bow ties unless instructed to by gun-wielding assailants. Even then, we're pretty indignant about it.

[Aaron]

Hmmm...hadn't seen that yet...until now. I'll see if I can de-nerd the graphic. http://www.thomasondesign.com/uploads/cool.gif

[deveng]

Bonus points if you can manage to keep Tucker Carlson away from my television as well.

[Aaron]

If I could do that...I would be a rich man. ;)

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[DesignGeneral]

... :)

[deveng]

DG, very nice.

What's with the pendulum thing in the last one? And, in general, I suppose, the treatment of the "D" - where are you trying to go with that?

[DesignGeneral]

Hi Dave,

The "D" treatment suggest clever engineering :) I can explain it more if you want.

Cheers,

Adrian

[deveng]

You may have to. Apparently, I ain't that clever.

Edit: I'm also not "Dave", but that doesn't bother me. I'll add my name to my sig.

[DesignGeneral]

Craig, sorry for the confusion :blush:

The 1st post shows the process of engineering ...
You can see in the negative white space of the "D" a "bud that's going to transform into a flower"... :)

The pendulum from the 2nd post suggest that your company does all things with high precision and once the engineering process is started you won't stop until you get the desired results.

Adrian

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[deveng]

Jon, could you produce the same logo in maybe a short selection of colour schemes and fonts?

Aaron, have you de-nerded the bow tie yet? Your design has some fans in our office as well.

Bart, the common comment about your design is that it is professional, if generic. It remains a possibility.

At this point, we're leaning away from your design, Ruiari - we just don't see it as you do.

DG, not everyone has seen your latest, so its too early to properly comment. Your first submission reminded some of a natural gas flame, which is not a connection to us. In version 2, the treatment of the "D" never worked for us. Your latest has more potential.

Thanks, everyone. The design will be chosen tomorrow.

[Aaron]

I'm still prying the pocket protector away from the design...and will hopefully repost this morning.

Aaron

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[deveng]

You read my mind, you bastard.

[Aaron]

Same concept, different adaptation. ;)

[Senter]

here is another one from me!!!
http://www.thinkkre8tiv.com/DevlinEngineering2.jpg

[deveng]

Definitely a bolder look, Bart. Thanks.

Jon (RelevantStudio), still looking for some slight variations on yours. Not sure the orange and grey do the logo justice, and wouldn't mind seeing some alternate fonts, though the chosen font seems appropriate.

Aaron, I can't tell you how many times I've toyed with the letters "D", "E", "d" and "e". You're doing better than I did.

[DesignGeneral]

:)

[deveng]

Update: Still waiting on a colour and font selection from Jon (RelevantStudio). The decision makers are also out of the office today, so the award will most likely be made tomorrow.

Thank you for your submissions.

[deveng]

Making up for lost time, Jon? :)

Crazy day prior to long weekend over here. Award will have to wait until Tuesday, at the earliest.

Have a good labour day weekend, everyone.

[deveng]

Due in large part to the quality of all submissions, there is no concensus winner, though thanks to Jon, we have settled on a green/grey combo for the colours. So, in order to level the playing field, I need to ask for one thing:

Aaron, please change the colours of your Version 2 design from maroon and grey to green and grey.

[Aaron]

Gray and green...

[Senter]

I figured why not??
http://www.thinkkre8tiv.com/DevlinEngineering2-1.jpg

Due in large part to the quality of all submissions, there is no concensus winner, though thanks to Jon, we have settled on a green/grey combo for the colours. So, in order to level the playing field, I need to ask for one thing:

Aaron, please change the colours of your Version 2 design from maroon and grey to green and grey.

[deveng]

Thanks, Aaron. I don't think the grey had to be changed from "PMS 413" in Version 2, but what we have is sufficient to make a decision.

Bart, thank you for the revision using the grey/green combo. I still really like that design.

We are out of the office for the rest of the day. We'll revisit the decision tomorrow. We have to. I have no business cards.

[Aaron]

Thought I'd toss in some initial business card designs... ;)

[bogglins]

:)

[bogglins]

biz card..

[deveng]

Pieter, fashionably late? ;)

Heck, so am I. I will get this awarded soon.

[DesignGeneral]

I'm working on another idea for you :)

[deveng]

Looks like you'll have the chance. Martin flew in and out of the office and we didn't have the chance to go over the logo selection. See you all on Monday.

[deveng]

We apologize for the delay. We've not forgotten about this project. Two-thirds of the votes are for Aaron's design, but we're now split on colour.

Aaron, if you would, please provide the business card mock-up for your Version 2 colours, if perhaps a slightly deeper burgundy with the grey.

Please note that we are not soliciting new designs. As we have waited this long, we are going to take the weekend to contemplate a final choice, and as Aaron is the front-runner, we hope he won't mind this final request.

Thank you for your understanding and patience.

[Aaron]

No problem...I'll post as soon as I get into the office.

Thanks,

Aaron

[Aaron]

Here's the same designs, just with a shift in color. Let me know if you'd like to see any more changes,

aaron

[deveng]

Award is to Aaron, for Version 3 of his design (green).

Thanks for your patience everyone. Honourable mentions to Jon (had my vote) and Bart, who came up with very identifiable logos.

Please move this to the revisions forum for final biz card and lettergead selection.

Aaron, from Version 3, we select the card on the left. Please remove the generic "info@devlinengineering.com" from the business cards (each will already have the email address of the card's owner).

However, please use "info@devlinengineering.com" on the letterhead.

Thank you again to all submitters.

[Aaron]

That's great...thanks Craig!
I'll post some letterhead concepts that work well with the identity and business card a little later.

Aaron

[Aaron]

Hi Craig,

Here is the logo, business card, and three different letterhead concepts, each of which work with the logo and business card designs.

Any thoughts?

Aaron

[deveng]

Letterhead: Top 1-1/2" taken for letterhead and margin. Must be legible when faxed.

The letterhead designs look great, but we'd prefer something more simple, in keeping with the above quote from the first post of this thread. Let's keep the logo near the top, and bring the address info up there as well. Start taking away space from the bottom of our letters, and we'll get all confused.

Perhaps (and realize I'm graphic-design-stupid), we start with the bottom letterhead idea, and bring the address to the top. We could then have a solid banner of green across the top with the address in the negative space on the right. Size the logo to be about the same height as the address. Total height of the banner should be ~1 1/4". Leave a 1/2" border of white at the top. That still gives us 9 1/4" below for content.

If you have alternative suggestions, fire away.

[deveng]

On the sample card, please remove the "info@devlinengineering.com" address. It's redundant when the cardholder's email address is already printed above.

Also, bold "Devlin Engineering Ltd.", "T" and "F".

[Aaron]

Hi Craig,

I like that suggestion about the letterhead...another variation would be to make the white border at the top into that gray color.

Thoughts?

[deveng]

Bah - too dark. Let's go with the colours from the biz cards. That is, do the band in grey, the logo in white, "DEVLIN" in green, "ENGINEERING" in white and on the right side, the address info in white.

The cards are done. Please complete the second for me:

Craig Hansen, B. Eng. & Mgmt.
craig@devlinengineering.com

Then we're done.

[Aaron]

Here you go!

[deveng]

We're done. Please zip up the files and fire them over to the email address on my card.

Thanks, Aaron.

[Aaron]

Files sent via email!

See, that wasn't so bad, was it?

Please let me know if the files give you any problems once you get them and open them up.

Thanks for the opportunity,

Aaron

[deveng]

Files received, and opened just fine.

Thanks again, Aaron.

[Aaron]

You're welcome Craig.

Thanks again,

Aaron