[Project Complete] South Lake Christian Academy - $200

[docslong]

Admin code added by Abby- (8GU91217WV5969132)

Project Summary:
What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
Revised: RLCA or Real Life Christian Academy

What type of product or service do you offer?
We are a k-3 through 8th grade private Christian school affiliated with Real Life Christian Church www.reallifechristian.org. The church is fast growing with a young staff and somewhat edgy worship.

How long have you been in business?
Since 1982

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
We are trying to transition from a mom and pop small school to a more cutting edge of private education image.

What are your long term goals?
To grow the school along with the church.

Audience Profile:

Who would you like to add to your audience?
More individuals who seek a quality, Bible focused, private education.

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Something that is not childish or too "religious" looking. Check out the church web site for an idea of the logo there. We need something different from that to establish a seperate identity for the school. It needs to speak contemporary , quality education. The chruch targets a younger crowd, and the school naturally should too.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
No, but probably not the three primary for an alphabet block look.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
Not really. We probably want to stay away from crosses or books.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Established, cutting-edge, fun, academically sound and high quality product.

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?
We are an established Christian school with a solid history and tradition yet we are on the fore-front of private education.

Where will your new logo be used?
On the website (yet to be designed), letterheads and business cards

Competitive Positioning:

What sets you apart from your competitors?
We are a Christian School (safe and Bible based), we are well established in the community with a great reputation. We have a challenging accelerated curriculum.

Targeted Message:
State a single-minded word or phrase that will appropriately describe your company:
Sharing God's Values; Shaping our Future

[Aaron]

Hi, welcome to Design Outpost. Just out of curiosity, what is the school mascot? I couldn't find it on the church's site.

Thanks,

Aaron

[docslong]

Yes the school is not on the site. The mascot has been a bald eagle, an amateurish version showing up in many of our publications. I keeping with creating a new image, I wan't to stay away from this.

[Aaron]

Okay... thanks.

a.t.

[pracus]

:)

[docslong]

This has merit as a very "religious" looking traditional school shield. I would like to see some more ideas. Design team: how about some more ideas that break with tradition.

[MOZ]

Here's an idea from MOZ

[Aaron]

Is it a flame, or a nautilus? ;)

[Aaron]

A different treatment...

[docslong]

1. pracus. As I have mentioned this is OK. As a sheild it seems a bit busy.

2. Moz - This is a direction I don't think I want to go. A little too flashy for a school.

3. Aaron - I like the direction and the clean lines. I am not sure about the flame-shell. We have several medical facilities in town with similar symbols. I wondered about something with a stylized "SLCA." Another thought is a live oak tree (a la "gone with the wind" - the southern United States tree with the spanish moss - with roots, perhaps stylized. In this areas we also have many small lakes. I wish I could give more help with the imagary/symbol. I feel like I am not giving you much to go on. (I want clean lines, contemporary, something that communicates solidity, but not behind the times). Attached is something I saw that caught me eye, at least in feel.

I am still hoping for a few more ideas.

[Just J]

:)

[docslong]

Jason

I like the direction. Could you try something less "block-like" perhaps rounder. I looked at your portfolio and you seem to take an approach that catches my attention. I am big into symbolism, so anything that represents a quality, Christian education -- look at some of my earlier comments. By the way, what do you see in this?

[Just J]

By the way, what do you see in this?
I see a cross morphing into a Christian fish, all housed under one roof, at least that's what I designed it to be. ;)

As for making it more round... I think that will take away from the meaning and symbolism.

:)

[Rongie]

Here's my idea :) - Abstract Face of Christ and another image formed is a Cross symbol in South Lake.

[docslong]

graphixparanoid

I do like this, I really do-- definitely in the right direction. I have showed it to several people on my end. The one common comment is that it is hard to see the stylized head. I wonder if you could try something very similar to this in look and feel, capturing hills (we are in one of the few places in Florida with hills), and a stylized live oak tree (again one of the features of our area)? Maybe just replace the head with a tree. The symbolism of growth and permanance fits our school.

[Rongie]

thanks for your comment Doc. Here's the revision.

[docslong]

Thanks graphixparanoid for the revision. Some great ideas the past few posts. I will show them around on my end.

[docslong]

A major change for us; minor for the designers: South Lake Christian Academy is changing its name to Real Life Christian Academy. I don't anticipate this factoring into the final logo design/symbolism-- just changing the words attached to the logo.

About a week to go and our top three choices (in no particular order). We like the simplicity of design of each, and the emphasis on the name of the school in relation to the symbol/artwork:

*Relevant Studio, Tree design. We like this--the tree is perfect. Perhaps the tree could be a bit smaller in relation to the font. Also if you could figure a way to include some Christian symbol without changing the overall effect. One thing I thought is perhaps three lines of text underneath, for more of a rectangle appearance overall-I am not sure, just a thought.
*Aaron, SLCA shell - I still would like to see what you could do with a tree-like image instead of the shell, something similarly stylized.
*Graphixparanoid: the tree is not quite right, a bit too cartoon-like, and not really the live oak type. I have attached a couple of images of the type of tree that could work - lower, broader, less balloon like. It is OK to lose the cross, if that helps.

We have about a week to go on my original deadline and am still hoping for THE ONE that does it for us. We are getting close and I am still open to more designs.

[castell]

:D

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca.gif

Galin

[castell]

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca1.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Castell,

Nice. On your first submission could you make the words "Christian Academy" more prominent, similar to your second example. Also I prefer the color choice and arrangement in the second example. Could you apply this to the first example? I would like to see some of these variations with your first submission. Thanks. What is your intent and thinking with the symbolism of these examples?

And thanks for your submission.

[Rongie]

:)

[castell]

Sure. Not a problem. Here are the changes applied to the first version.

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca1a.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Castell

Looks good. Your second submission captures much of the simplicity we are looking for. I showed it to a couple of people. The leaf reminds them of the Canadian maple leaf (though I know it is not). Is it possible to try a different leaf design, yet maintain the simplicity.

Graphix paranoid,

This is much closer to the look we want. I do wonder about the color now. With the tree I wonder if a green tone pallette wouldn't work better for us.

Thank you both for your revisions. I like what I see.
From hurricane-drenched Florida, USA.

[samoyloff]

:)

[Rongie]

another style..

[Rongie]

few more

[Rongie]

.....color changed for the version 3 :)

[castell]

Based on the previous concept here is another view of it. :)

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca2.gif

Galin

[castell]

Why show a whole tree when we can just imply it?
The idea is still perceivable and at the same time it creates a more delicate flow. :)

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca2b.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Castell,

Some good suggestions. Is it possible to try the from the last post in place of the tree in the geometric figure in post #21. Just want to see what that might look like.


:eek: Today is the last day! If you have anything you are working on, please get it in.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and hard work.

[castell]

:D Sure. Here is the result...

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca1c.gif

Galin

[castell]

Some tweaks applied to the previous concept. The result is more delicate and more subtle...

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca2c.gif

Galin

[docslong]

graphixparanoid,

I do like the last tree. Here is the question (and perhaps challenge): Is it possible to combine the feel -- the curved lines above the text from post #14 (which I still really like), with the tree from post #30? Also I think at least some of the font should be black, though some green is a nice contrast. I know we are getting close to the deadline and I appreciate all of the revisions so far.

Thanks.
docslong

[Rongie]

revised :)

[Rongie]

I also tried combination of colors and adjust alignments. Hope you like it most.

[docslong]

Thanks to everyone for your submissions. You have given me some tough choices. I will show some of the top picks around on my end and make a decision on a designer within a couple of days.

[docslong]

This was a tough decision and I greatly appreciate the work that went into the posts of the past few days; we could have easily gone with any of the last three contributors.

Since we must choose one, we have decided to work with Castell to finish this project.

I still have some work I would like you to do that I will share when this flips to the revisions forum.

[Rongie]

Congrats Galin :D

and Congrats to your new logo Doc ;)

[castell]

Thank you for choosing me.

Just let me know what revisions would you like to see and I will briefly execute them.

Sincerely,
Galin

[docslong]

Galin,

We liked your work because of the simplicity of design and your ability to capture the feel we wanted.

We feel the leaf loses some of the symbolism we are looking for -- the strength and long-term growth of an oak tree. The look is good in 2c and 2b: the elegance and simplicity. Some of the trees other designers were too complex. Here is the challenge for you: Can you capture the simplicity and look of these two submissions, yet include a tree (it doesn't need to be huge) instead of a leaf? If I ask too much, just let me know, but I really want to get this right. If this won't work for us I will want to work with version 1 and see if we can do some tweaks there, since it does have a tree.

Steve (docslong)

[castell]

Hello, Steve!

It is not a problem. I will see what I can think of.

Thank You,

Galin

[docslong]

Galin,

I am not in a hurry at this point. I would rather get it right than fast. Take the time you need. From what I have seen of your work I know you can come up with something that will work

Thanks.
Steve

[castell]

:) Here is an idea I had...
It is a simple tree form, which is in compliance with the previous design on the theme.

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlcaR1.gif

Thank You,

Galin

[castell]

And here is the same idea but the focus is switched on the shape that surrounds the tree.

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlcaR1a.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Galin,


I don't think this is working for me as a tree. Honestly it reminds me of a stalk of garlic (sorry) -- not a look I want. But . . . as I look at it one minor change comes to mind. Eliminate the arc at the top of the tree in Rev1, leaving two sprigs, and the squiggly line to the left (does this make any sense?). Not quite a tree, but it does have the idea of growth, the beginning of a tree.

Part of me is frustrated because I am having trouble communicating what I want -- my fault, not yours.

[castell]

:) Not a problem. Will try make some various trees.

Now when you mentioned it, this really looks like a garlic :D. I think it is because of the multiple lines that break the tree into four parts and thus create a garlic effect.

I will try some different trees in the morning.

Thank You,
Galin

[castell]

Here are two oak shaped trees. :P

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlcaR2.gif

Galin

[castell]

...


http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlcaR2a.gif

Galin

[castell]

Some polishing...

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlcaRb.gif

Galin

[castell]

:D

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rev2d.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Galin,

Great! This is the look I have wanted. Let me ponder these over the next day or so. We are very, very close, if not actually there. Thanks.

Steve

[docslong]

Galin,

It looks like Rev2b will be the one. Color choice is the only question for me now. I want to see what it would look like with the gradient of colors that you used in Rev2 (Pantone 348, 362) and in Rev1(Pantone 348, 370). In the end I will want one with the gradient and one without, so can you also let me see another solid color either in 362 or 370 (or both)?

Thanks. I am very pleased. :yes:

Steve

[castell]

:) Thank You!

I am glad you like them. I will prepare the color variations in a minute.

Sincerely,
Galin

[castell]

Here they are...

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca_final.gif

Galin

[docslong]

A couple of last requests:

Can you try the first one with the tree as it is with
"Christian Academy" in Pantone 362?

Can you reverse the gradient in the second one from light at the top to dark at the bottom (as in the first example) with "Christian Academy" in Pantone 370?

Thanks.

[castell]

:D Sure. Here it is...

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/rlca_final1.gif

Galin

[docslong]

Galin,

I think we have it!

The top logo in final1 (your last post) is perfect for the three color version. I can't decide between Pantone 348 and 362 for the two color version; could you provide me with both?

I am not sure what formats you deliver these in. My graphics/production tech asked me to ask for these:

Photoshop, Illustrator, JPEG, TIFF. Black and white should have a transparent background, not white (and I am sure you do that anyway).

Thanks for your patience, flexibility and expertise. You have my strongest recommedation.

Steve

[castell]

Hello, Steve

I am out of the door now. As soon as I get back I will provide you a link where you can download the files you asked me for.

I will post a message here when I send you a link to the files via personal message at this forum.

Thank you,
Galin

[castell]

Hello,

I have just sent you a private message with the link, where you can download the files.

Thanks again.

Best Regards,
Galin Kastelov