[Project Complete]Logo for UK internet business - resumes and business cards $150 by

[cvbox]

(Admin code added by Michael - 26D12796VE865030Y, 4AJ19818R02181738 )

UK internet based start up needs a fantastic logo to define corporate identity. Logo needs to be fresh and convey a professional image of a premium and quality product. More details below.

STOP PRESS - Deadline advanced to 29 Aug. See post on page 2







Hi,

Here is the brief:

I am setting up a small internet based service that supplies people with targeted business cards with the added service that I will upload their CV (=Brit for résumé from the Latin of curriculum vitae - not sure whether the term is in general usage over in the USA). These business cards will be used in networking for a new job by giving a little more than just contact details since it will also include the URL for the client’s CV.

The logo will be used on the website as well as other marketing collateral to the different marketing channels that I will be using so will be required in various formats. I can use Illustrator (CS) so it is probably easier to supply in this format and I can do the rest for web, print etc.

The business name is cvbox.co.uk although I have not necessarily ruled out the plain cvbox. Capitalisation is not as issue although it needs to be either cvbox.co.uk , cvbox , CVbox, CVBox or something similar – I think that my preference is all lower case and cvbox.co.uk

I do not wish to close prematurely on colours so am open to creative input. The colours maroon and gold and black have personal significance to me but are probably not appropriate. I am also keen on union jack type colours – i.e. navy blue with small amounts of red and white. Do NOT accept these colours as a given for the brief since I am not creative and you may have a better idea.

I have started to design the website – it is at www.cvbox.co.uk – user = colyer – pw = michael so please take a look at this as it is developed. The logo will be displayed on each page of the website although only the home page is done so far (without logo). The business card with the hand will announce each page. Any logo will almost certainly need a white background if it contains a background.

I wish the logo to incorporate the name of the company and convey a message of professionalism. The business cards that are being supplied are heavyweight and quality.

The target audience are professional people who are taking their job hunt seriously and are prepared to spend some money on doing so as well as investing the time and effort in targetted networking.

I do not want a photo in the logo.

I have also coined the strap line of ‘Presenting your premium product…….perfectly’ which may help.

I have a military background and like precision and patriotism type symbols – again not a given.

I thought that I had a reasonable idea in some sort of box – like a jack in the box with a spring but no jack but a solid text on the end of the spring with the name on it. Having thought about this I believe that this has potential BUT may give the negative aspects that the company is fun and a joke rather than professional and serious. However if it were well executed then as an idea it may have potential.

I am based in the UK and will answer questions as quickly as possible. I think that they have to be through the forum which I can do or alternatively please email to michael@cvbox.co.uk and I will get back to you just as soon as I am able. West Coast insomniacs are particularly welcome to work on this project!

I am really excited to get going on this and have set the deadline as 30 Aug – I hope that this gives enough time for all you creative geniuses worldwide to come up with something exciting that I can go for.

I am really eager to see all creative input on this. There may be additional work for you on completion of this project.

Michael Colyer

[cvbox]

Perhaps any designer who is interested in this one please post a quick response to say that you are going to submit something. While I appreciate that patience is a virtue it is sadly lacking in me!

[Radu]

Hello.
Here's my entry. Since the CV's are about people, I used stylised people and placed them in an open box.

[cvbox]

Many thanks for the quick response and your creative thought.

I am afraid that despite this being the best so far it does not float my boat. I appreciate that comments need to be constructive in order to help you and of course other designers. These specific comments are relevant:

As a concept I like the thought process but the above is not dynamic enough and is also too 'monochrome'. I think that the 'greyness' would be reflected in the business. That said I do not think that changing the colour scheme would necessarily cure it.

The stylised people look too much like wine decanters - I am not sure that my clients woudl necessarily 'get it'.

The font also looks very ordinary.

I am sorry to sound negative, however if these comments are not made then feedback cannot be acted upon.

I look forward to seeing some more fantastic designs - Ruairi please consider putting something else forward.

Michael

[Radu]

No problem. Should I stick with the "box" idea or you want me to explore a different idea?

[cvbox]

The box is an obvious choice: in the service the box here is referring to storage so that might give you some ideas ie chest, filing cabinet, bureau desk. However any sort of stylised box is firstly obvious and secondly very easy to do and recognise.
However what is key is not to close prematurely on a theme.
If I say stick to the box then that might stop another designer submitting something that is nothing to do with boxes that neverthelesss could be a winner since I would have constrained the brief.
Therefore over to you.

[cvbox]

I am still waiting for something really exciting and since patience is not my strong point I thought that I might offer some more comments. I have also put another $10 in the pot to make it $150 which seems to be a more reasonable prize, albeit only being a small increase.

I looked at Tonya’s logos at http://www.tonyagoodnow.com/portfolio/logos1.htm and was impressed with the iqube one that incorporated a box. I am sure that any designer will need to tread very carefully with this so as not to infringe copyright and steal the idea. I also like the logo on the front page http://www.tonyagoodnow.com/ in terms of colours and the clever presentation.

I apologise most sincerely for linking into this site if this is against the rules.

It is possible that cvbox.xo.uk could be done in a sort of ‘wordart’ style. The colours and style could make something really cool.

Not much else in the way of inspiration I’m afraid. I look forward to seeing some really cool stuff.

[Radu]

Thanks for the info. I did not give up on your logo yet :) I was just trying to take some time and explore some variations. I will upload some new ones later today.

[cvbox]

superb - look forward to it - i hope that you found the feedback useful.

[Paula23]

Hi,
Here are a few more ideas for you :)

[Paula23]

Thanks,Paula

[Radu]

Here they are. No 2

[Radu]

No 3

[cvbox]

Hi Paula and Ruairi,

Some superb creative thought here for which I thank you.

Here is the feedback:

Paula23 – Version 1

I think that this is very clever and normally I would say that I like the geometrical exactness of it. However as a logo I’m afraid that this one is not going to do it for me.

However there may be potential for this with a smoothing of the image out, a removal of the ‘construction lines’ and a change of the colour scheme (despite what I said about maroon and gold). This may be worth pursuing as a theme.

Paula 23 – Version 2

Thank you for this image. Because cv is such a generic term in the UK the fact that it is in the logo bit without the box means that this does not work due to being incomplete. I wonder whether the typeface of the cv can be carried on with the box.co.uk – I am not sure that it can be.

I feel awful to offer so much critical feedback to you Paula since you have undoubtedly expended effort in your submissions and also hoisted in the comments about maroon and gold. Please do not be disheartened since as a concept I think that these could be developed into something that is workable.

Ruairi – Version 2

Sorry – I do not like this at all. The shape on the top of the box looks too strange and out of place.

Ruairi – Version 3

This is great. I would like to see this developed. Could the following be included in the design. An extension of the logo to include the .co.uk on the other side of the box. I would like to see it in small characters since this is normal i.e. cv <box> .co.uk as well as CV <BOX> .CO.UK – what is probably required is a font where the capitals do not look too severe. I appreciate that the box looks good as caps although if it is not looked at in smalls then we will not know.

If the web address is in full then the strap line can be substituted for the cvbox.co.uk lettering underneath.

Not too sure about the colours at this stage – probably best to leave them as they are for comparison purposes.


For all other designers the competition is still open so please do not hesitate to submit your entries.

[Paula23]

Thanks for your honest feedback :)
I'll make some adjustments and see what else
I can come up with and post again.

Paula

[Aaron]

Here's how I see it... one icon with smooth rounded edges, the other is sharper, more defined. Colors chosen to give a feel of professionalism and illumination...if your client's CV, of course ;)

[cvbox]

Aaron,

Many thanks for your submission which I think is great. I would also like to see this developed and offer the following feedback:

Not too sure about the font – the stalk on the b is too high although this is detail given that perhaps the font needs changing. I wonder whether the .co.uk can be added under the cube in a smaller typeface and maybe the strapline under that. I like the sharper image more than the smoothed one. I think that the colours may be a little too harsh although I cannot give you any suggestions as to this – it may just be the case that a few other colours need to be tried out. Perhaps something a bit more ‘wordart’ may be more appropriate.

The capitalisation of the name of the company looks good although I was almost certain that it should have been cvbox.co.uk – just goes to show that the designer can make it look good – especially with the emphasis on the CV.

I wonder whether it might be possible, given that you have the writing of the firm that there should be some imagery (what I am not sure) that goes with this. Now I am not sure what this should be whether a dog, cat, box or whatever (appreciate that this is beginning to be a ramble) but this may have potential to develop something as a new idea.

I am hoping that other designers read this to give them an equal amount of help and inspiration.

Perhaps as well as developing this you should also consider a new design as well since, looking at your portfolio you have some really cool designs. The specific ones that appeal from there are the treefrog and the information mail.

Great work!

[Aaron]

I don't know about a dog or cat, but what about an angelic résume? ;)

[Radu]

No. 4

[cvbox]

Many thanks for this. Having thought about it the repitition within the cube of the CV with the CVbox does not work. The additional of the sheet looks as though it is being posted rather than stored and displayed (I agree that it could be argued that it is coming out of a printer). This design has potential but I think that it needs to go back more in order to go forward and consider something else as the 'object' to go with it. A box is good and is obvious given the name but maybe there could be something else? That something could just be a box, a diagram or graphic. Hope that this helps.

[Radu]

No. 5

[cvbox]

Comments on version 5 from Ruairi.
Colour awful!
Can the .co.uk be in lower case and put inside the graphic and the strap line be added underneath. The transformation of the B and the X do not look quite right now the apex has been moved upwards.
This still has great potential - it just needs a little more finessing and some great colouring.
Maybe the .co and .uk could be made double decker to the right of the box?

[Radu]

No 6

[Radu]

No 7

If you have any other color suggestions I'm open to them :)

[Rongie]

Hi Michael,
Here's my concept. Thanks for waiting. :)

Ron

[cvbox]

To all designers.

Many thanks for all your hard work. While I have been keen to try and provide feedback as soon as possible to you all to be able to implement this I have now had the chance to sleep on many of them. I thought that it would be useful to summarise where we are so far (and also to give you feedback on the new designs that have been posted.)


Ruairi,

Many thanks for your finessing. Versions 6 and 7 are both good with 7 being preferred.

As an entry I believe that this is complete – the only iteration that I would like to see is the addition of the strap line underneath the logo – you will find it in my text above. I think that there is a small optical illusion in that the box seems canted – I wonder whether reducing the sizes of the B and the X may cure this? Having spoken to a couple of people they agree that the box deos look canted over although as you know it is not – it is all to do with the letters.

Therefore please add the strap line – Presenting your Premium Product…….Perfectly underneath the whole thing.

And also consider some different colour schemes – it may be that the original one that you submitted in blue and green may look good in the revisit.

Many thanks – this looks to be a complete entry.


Ron,

Many thanks for your fantastic submission. The combination of colours and the picture bit looks pretty cool. The dots in the .co.uk need to be lowered and I wonder what the strap line underneath would look like?

I definitely like the bold colours. While I like the box graphic it is not quite there yet. I am not too sure what to suggest in how to improve it. Having seen various combinations of boxes and letters woven into boxes I think that it could go either way. I think that an interesting ‘box’ such as yours is good but could be better.

I wonder whether the font could be mad ea little more dynamic?

Otherwise pretty good.


Aaron,

Having thought a little more about your version 2 I reckon that the printer/fax machine object could be a winner. While I do not want repetition of the CV in the object I think that this could be developed very successfully. I am not too sure what to suggest apart from lose the CV in the object and swap it with something else which could include but not necessarily be shading, gradient, colour, pattern or other objects. The box metaphor needs to remain.

I look forward to seeing this develop. I like the font since it is dynamic.


Paula,

My previous comments remain extant.

[Aaron]

Hi CVbox,

Since when I remove the CV from the icon, all we're left with is a box, I left the CV floating above it in the first example, subtly showing the cream-rises-to-the-top concept I wanted to portray. In the second concept, there is no mistaking the intent, at least in my opinion. ;)

Thank you,

Aaron

[cvbox]

Aaron,

I really like the second one of the two although it is not a final version. There is no need to submit again (unless you want to) but if we take it to the next stage there would need to be some differentiation between the two blue sides of the box, perhaps through shading, the star needs toning down a bit in terms of the length of the points and I would still be keen to see if you could introduce the strap line without making it too busy. Unless you have loads of time I would suggest leave it here since as a concept I understand what you are trying to convey.

Michael

[Aaron]

Hi Michael,

I guess you're just lucky that I live in Phoenix, Arizona where right now it's fast approaching the 110 Degrees (F) projected for the day. The best place to be is inside with the air conditioning on...in front of the computer!

As you can see, the strapline wouldn't be appropriate in all sizes, but here are two different possibilities for placement when applicable.

Thanks,

Aaron

[cvbox]

Cool (!) - Many thanks.

[Artemii]

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

[Rongie]

Thankyou for your comment.
Here's a different font.
The box image actualy forms letter "C and V" , perpective view.

[Radu]

Here it is.

[cvbox]

Latest comments:

Artemii

Many thanks for this design. It is very simple and could work. I think that it is not worth developing any further and I will consider the concept when the judging takes place.

Graphixparanoid (Rongen)

Many thanks for this alteration. I get the CV concept now and agree that it is very clever. Now that I know that I am taken by it much more but wonder whether it is in fact too clever since running it past a couple of people they did not see it straight away. No further iterations are required since I fully understand the concept.

Ruairi

Great job on this. No further iterations are required on this since I have fully grasped this as a concept and would be able to finesse further if you proceed to selection.

[cvbox]

I am really pleased with all the entries to date and I intend to advance the closing date on my competition. It will be advancing by one day and hence I will be closing the competition in 24 hours time. Thank you to all the designers that have submitted and if you are still to submit then please do so in the next 24 hours.
I will announce the winner at 1930 BST on 29 Aug.

The other key reason for this is that I have a meeting on Wednesday and would like to present my concept and marketing collateral on this day.

[Paula23]

Here are my revisions baesd on your feedback :)

[Paula23]

..

[Paula23]

Thanks,Paula

[cvbox]

Paula,

Many thanks for these revisions which are superb - I like the subtle use of gradient. I will be posting the winner later this evening.

Michael

[cvbox]

All,

I am pleased to announce that the winner is Ruairi.

Very many thanks to all of you that have expended much time and effort in submitting for this. For what it is worth it was a close run competition with all of you in the running to the last minute. Myself and my wife had some interesting debate!

Ruairi - there are still some minor changes to make before the final version. I will email you the changes in the revisions forum.

[Aaron]

Congrats R! :tup:

[Radu]

Wow, thanks! It was a very nice competition! :)

[cvbox]

Can we start talkign revisions - pse send email to michael@cvbox.co.uk

[cvbox]

Hi Radu,

Well done again on winning.

Here are my comments to finesse the design:

Going from version 08.

We are very close to a final version.

This is what I like:

§ Shading gradient on the BOX letters

§ The outline of the box and around the graphic.

§ The .co.uk going up on the right hand side – not sure whether this need to be blue or white (Version 06) – probably blue.

This is what needs attention:

§ The CV letters need a little more depth – not too sure how to do this – whether it can get a bit of shadow or shading. I quite like the yellow and orange in version 06 where you have put a gradient on them.

§ The B needs a small rotation right – probably the smallest that you can do.

§ In terms of colour I really like the strong colours of navy and orange that was used in Ron's offering (see thread).

§ Colour alternatives. – The navy and green is 'OK' - what I really want is something to wow my clients. How about a couple more alternatives.

§ The strap line underneath may need to have a little more prominence – version 08 is good – I may ask for 2 versions – one with and one without

[Radu]

Hi Michael,

here are some revisions. Comments welcomed.

Thank you.

-Radu

[Radu]

11

[Radu]

12

[cvbox]

The navy and orange undoubtedly has much more impact. I like the shadow on the CV. Can we make the CV have just a little more impact? Not sure how although perhaps a small amount of lean to the right 'might' introduce a little more dynamism (compare to the text style in Aaron's above). I like the white 'sparkle' on the O. The B is now straight.
Lose the capitalisation in the strap line - Presenting your Premium Product.....Perfectly is how I would like it.

We are making progress which is great.

[cvbox]

Thanks for all the finessing completed by email - i am pleased with the final result.

Approved for payment.

MC