[Project Complete] Logo for software consultancy - $200

[AfroBoy]

(Admin code added by Palmer - 97832075V28340312)

Hi,

I've been browsing these forums for over a year so finally decided to take the plunge. Be gentle! :D

What text should be included in the main part of the logo?
"Blue Street" - either as one word or two, lowercase, mixed case or upper case.
"Consulting" should also appear as a sub line. The word Consulting may change in the future depending on the targetted product area (e.g. "Internet", "Media Design")

What type of product or service do you offer?
Internet related consulting, hosting services, website & graphic design. We're also looking into developing pre-packaged solutions/products in the future. Media/Print is also an are of growth.

How long have you been in business?
3 years

What do you hope to accomplish with your new identity?
Create a known brand and identity for our existing clients. Provide a higher level of professionalism to current and new clients.

What are your long term goals?
To build an agile consulting business which has numerous tightly focused product streams.

When is the deadline for final entries before choosing a designer?
November 30th or sooner if the perfect logo is created.

Audience Profile:
Please describe your existing audience
Small businesses looking for someone they can be in real contact with who is trustworthy and understands their unique needs.

Who would you like to add to your audience?
Small businesses in professional services (e.g. accountancies, financial planners, legal)

Perception/Tone/Guidelines:
What type of logo would you like?
Simple.
Fluid but strong/trustworthy.
Creative but not too artistic. It needs to be a balance between corporate and creative.
Logo can be all textual, or with an image/icon of some kind. Would be nice to have an icon integrated into the text if possible.

Do you have any colors in mind for your logo? (if so, why?)
Blue for obvious reasons! Aside from that, a strong deep red or simple black/charcoal is good. Open to suggestions.

Do you have any specific images or icons in mind that you would definitely like to see incorporated into your logo?
Don't want too much play on the word "street." If possible keep that imagery very abstract and non-tacky/obvious.
Not too techy. Prefer a more designer/creative look than the techy.

Communication Strategy:
What attributes would you like your logo to reflect about your business?
Communicative. Trustworthy. Present/Close. Resourceful. Agile. Experts in the field/confidence.

What is your tagline or slogan?
NA

What is the overall message you are trying to convey to your target audience?
A company that will be there for the entire journey of your business. We don't only develop websites, but we ensure they continue to work for you and grow as your business grows.

Where will your new logo be used?
Website, stationary. Would like to see samples of how it might be applied to a simple stationary design (e.g. invoices, letters.)

Competitive Positioning:
Who are your competitors and what do you think about their logos?
Most of our competitors are either too technical or much larger established consultancies. They are known by the people and not their logo so I can't comment on that.

What sets you apart from your competitors?
We listen to our customers and take a wider interest in their business. What we develop integrates with their business positioning and business plan. Easy to contact.

Targeted Message:
Don't have a tag-line as such, but the idea of the "street" in "bluestreet" is to convey the journey and the fact that we will help along the whole way.

Some logos I like:
One (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=177249&postcount=12) - Love the strongness of the red bars on the stationary with the movement/creative-flair of the logo itself.

Two (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=178022&postcount=15) - Love the sketched look on the lines. Not fond of the colour, but the use of a textual element as a graphic is very appealing.

Three (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=168509&postcount=9) - Simple, beautiful design.

[AfroBoy]

I think I picked a bad month to get my logo developed. So many jobs on offer.

Is anyone thinking of helping me out with this? If you want more info, please ask away as I am happy to offer and help as much as possible to get a great result.

Thanks,
C.

[Ratbaggy]

I'm definitely interested in helping out.

will pst soon C.

Cheers,

Paul

[Tonya]

I think I picked a bad month to get my logo developed. So many jobs on offer.

Is anyone thinking of helping me out with this? If you want more info, please ask away as I am happy to offer and help as much as possible to get a great result.

Thanks,
C.


Thanks for your patience. With so many projects going right now, the designers are probably focusing on those that are ending much sooner. As your deadline draws closer, you'll get more activity.

[Ratbaggy]

C,

I wanted to steer (also as you suggested) away from the obvious street/pavement/road relationship while still offering something of a hint of the playfulness of choosing such a name.

I decided street signs convey a trust (somewhat sub-concious) - with our dependence/reliance on them for directions and positioning ourselves within our environment, which also uncovered a nice visual symbol relating to directions, looking forward and finding a location OR directions for business.

The simplicity and stregth is also assisted with the use of a rather bold blue.

Enough of what I thought/put into it, let me know yours.

Cheers,

Paul

[Raja]

see below

[Raja]

reworking idea, will repost

[Virgil]

Hello,

This is my first try :)

Virgil.

[Virgil]

2nd try :)

[AfroBoy]

Hi,

Thanks very much for the initial submissions and getting the ball rolling.

Ratbaggy: Good first attempt. I find it too simple and plain. Would like the logo to convey some depth, e.g. depth of experience, knowledge, confidence. Not sold on the street sign idea but if you can make it work without being too "obvious" then I'll still go for it.

Virgil: Thanks for your submission too. This one has a little more to it which is nice. Not too keen on the font, but don't mind the 'B' being that style to match the icon. I like the beginnings of the BC icon idea you have. Green isn't the right colour.

Not a bad start though from both of you.

Raja: Am sorry I didn't get to see your initial design. Am keen to see what you can bring to the table.

Thanks,
C.

[AfroBoy]

Virgil: Version 2 is definitely on the right path.

Would like to see the icon stretch a little more to the left so it's not so centred. Putting in a slightly elongated curve to it might be nice too.

Also perhaps explore opportunities to turn it a little more into a street but not too realistic (still designer/sketch like in styke).

The name isn't trademarked so please remove the "TM".

Thanks,
C.

[Virgil]

Hello AfroBoy,

Thank you for your feedback. Here's another try, with a variation of the second graphic element. I wanted to keep the wireframe, as I think it ads some "technological" feel.

Virgil.

[Ratbaggy]

Ratbaggy: Good first attempt. I find it too simple and plain. Would like the logo to convey some depth, e.g. depth of experience, knowledge, confidence. Not sold on the street sign idea but if you can make it work without being too "obvious" then I'll still go for it.
AfroBoy,

Thanks for the feedback, the simplicity and boldness of the logo are what, in my opinion, convery the experience and especially the confidence you wish to convey. I'll see where else I can take it, but feel it may loose some of the identities original charm, which came from the pure simplicity.

Will post back soon.

Cheers,

Paul

[AfroBoy]

Hi Paul,

Thanks for your comments. I understand where you are coming from and that makes perfect sense. I still feel that it needs a little more 'depth'. Some shading or something to bring it to life a little. Am keen to see where you can take it.

Cheers,
C.

[Tonya]

http://homepage.mac.com/tonyagoodnow/graphic_files/bluestreet/bluestreet1.gif

[AfroBoy]

Virgil: I like the change with the grid on Version 3. Perhaps have a little more "road" feel to it. Can you use the centre line as a path to guide the user and give a sense of movement and definitive direction?

Tonya: Thanks very much for your submission. I like the direction here and the subtle treatment of the text by entending some of the letters. Can I see it with "Blue Street" as one word "Bluestreet"?

For all people working on the logo ... I would like to try a little more creative focus. I think I over-emphasised the "simpleness" factor. Let's bust out a little and see where that gets us.

I would also like to see what can be done with a style/layout similar to this (http://www.designoutpost.com/forums/showpost.php?p=178022&postcount=15). In this type of logo, I love the boldness. It's also quite straightforward and clear without losing any sense of creativity.

Thanks to all. Off to a great start.

Cheers,
C.

[Virgil]

Another try :)

[shnickerdoodle studios]

One from me..

Thanks,
Deanna

[RedEye]

Here is one from Red Eye.

http://www.redeyegraphicdesign.com/OUTPOST/blu1.jpg

[castell]

:)

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/bs1.gif

Castell

[AfroBoy]

Virgil: Thanks for the variation. I prefer version 2 over 3 so let's work with that. With the grid, could you extend the left most point further over to the left and bring it closer down to the text? I would like to see it flow more like a wave.

Virgil: Version 4 is okay but the "B" in the logo looks too bulky. Perhaps don't try to integrate the letter, but turn it into a road which disappears into the distance.

Deanna: Thanks for your submission. Good start. I really love the font you've used. Not too sure about the icon though. It looks a little like a credit card company. Would be nice to see some movement and "lightness" in it.

RedEye: I like the font of this one too but it's a little too "tall". The perspective on the icon is okay but the "S" feels too bulky. Any way to lighten it and make it a little more "slick" or elegant?

Castell: Thanks for submitting to this thread. I'm not too sure about the main font here as it feels a little bulky and casual. The font used for "Consulting" is quite nice though. Can we have a look with the icon placed in a few different locations? The icon looks a little like a book publisher, that's probably to do with the font used. It doesn't look so bad in B&W.


To all: Thanks heaps for your work on this. I really appreciate it and think we're heading along nicely. Please feel free to ask me as many questions as you like. It's difficult to articulate some of my thoughts so don't be afraid to ask.

It would also be nice to see some simple treatments of the text perhaps without an icon.

Also don't be afraid to try something completely different. I'm very open to suggestions here.

Thanks,
Carl

[Tonya]

Thanks very much for your submission. I like the direction here and the subtle treatment of the text by entending some of the letters. Can I see it with "Blue Street" as one word "Bluestreet"?


I did a little more with the letter extensions as well:

http://homepage.mac.com/tonyagoodnow/graphic_files/bluestreet/bluestreet2.gif

[castell]

:) Hello, Carl

Here are some different placements and font alteration.

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/bs1a.gif

[AfroBoy]

Hi,

Thanks again to everyone for their efforts. It's very much appreciated.

Tonya: Thanks for the slight tweaks. The name looks better as one word. Would like to see what you can do with the waves, if they can be "enhanced" in any way.

Castell: Thanks too for the variations. I think the logo will find more use in the horizontal fasion given the length of the business name. Could you have a play around with the icon part. It still looks too much like a publisher to me. Perhaps it's the serifs on the font that's doing it.

Jon: Thanks so much for submitting. A great first version. The fonts aren't too bad and I think we can work with them. Please make the business name "Bluestreet" - all one word. Am not too sure about the light concept though. Feels a little too cartoony. Perhaps use the concept in a more abstract way.

Thanks again all. And as I mentioned above, please feel free to ask questions of me and even play devils advocate as I'm quite open to suggestions.

Cheers,
Carl.

[Tonya]

I think this gives it more of a flowing/forward movement feel.

http://homepage.mac.com/tonyagoodnow/graphic_files/bluestreet/bluestreet3.gif

[Virgil]

Hello Carl,

Thank you for the feedback. Here's a variation of my 2nd post.

Virgil.

[Virgil]

Another change :)

[Virgil]

Another try :)

[JaysonC]

Hi!

[AfroBoy]

Thanks again to everyone for their submissions.

Tonya: (03) Nice revision. It's starting to grow on me. It certainly has more movement which is really nice. I'm wondering if you can make the lines more like a street without being overly obvious. Also keen to see a different direction from you as I've seen some of your previous work too.

Virgil: (05) Not quite was I was after. It starts around the right place. Can you make it longer and flow more like a wave (in kind of the shape Tonya's curve does.) Sorry to compare designs like that, but it's just too hard to explain the shape otherwise.

Virgil: (06) I'm still not totally convinced on this direction yet. The B in the icon is a nice touch but just doesn't sit well. Perhaps remove the B motif and try something else with the road.

Virgil: (07) Thanks for another variation. I appreciate your enthusiasm and submissions on this. I quite like this one so far. The placement and spacing of "Consulting" doesn't feel right. Perhaps align it right and space the letters out more. Also the "Bluestreet" font feels a little too "wide."

Jon: (02) Nice simple concept. The font doesn't do it for me though. Is there anything behind the square motif? Perhaps try to do something more or something else with it.

Jayson: (01) Thanks so much for submitting Jason. I like where you're heading here. Not font on the green but we can deal with that later. Try a sans-serif font. Also, the icon feels a little too bulky and can look like a planetarium. The underlying concept is good though. Is there any way to lighten it up in tone/thickness (not necessarily colour)?

Thanks again all. I appreciate the work here and feel like we're starting to get somewhere. Nothing in particular quite stands out just yet and I'm still forming my ideas. Feel free to experiment and even put up 'concepts' or 'ideas'.

Cheers,
Carl.

[Virgil]

Hello Carl,

Thank you for your feedback :) Here's a change on my 7th version. I will work on the others too.

Virgil.

[Virgil]

Another try, slightly different wirestreet..

[castell]

:)

http://www.visualadv.net/projects/other/bs1b.gif

[Paula23]

:)

[AfroBoy]

Hi,

Thanks again for the submissions. Sorry for the slight delay in getting back to you all. Here are some comments based on throwing the designs around some of the other people here.

Virgil: v8. Not too bad at all. What would it look like if we stretched the "Consulting" word out a little? How about using ".com.au" instead of "Consulting" perhaps to the left of the "B"?
v9. I like the curve itself but not how it's styled. Any way of building your previous grid into that same flow?

Castell: v1B. I prefer the grey version on top best. Let me sit with that one for a while. Any chance of trying something completely different to compare with?

Paula: v1. Thanks so much for jumping in on the game. The colour of the Blue isn't quite strong enough. I like the way you've incorporated the street but it seems too "obvious" and I'm not sure on the circle & curve there. Almost too cartoony or techy for me at this stage.


To all ... Feel free to go a bit crazy and throw in something quite different. I'm not necessarily commited to the 'corporate' look. Something more 'designy' or 'sketchy' might work well so don't be afraid to throw in any new ideas.

Cheers,
Carl

[Virgil]

Hi Carl,

Here's another try, a bit different than the others I've poste.. In the meantime, I am working o the other changes you requested.

Virgil.

[Raja]

here we go, abstract morph of B and S letterforms, info highway

[AfroBoy]

Hi,

Virgil: v10, not big on this version. Looks too cartoony.

Raja: v1, thanks so much for submitting. Good to see you here. I quite like the start you've made there. Very promising. The font used on the "Bluestreet" word is a little too chunky/heavy. Can I see it with a few different fonts, and perhaps with the "consulting" placed underneath?

Thanks again all.
Carl

[AfroBoy]

So ... any further development or thoughts from anyone?

[nhr]

I am here :)

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/_DO/BLUESTREET_DO.png

Thank you.

[gig]

yes me too, sir..

[Fabian]

Hi

Here's a fresh approach using an abstract "B" in flight ;)

Looking forward to your thoughts

Cheers
Fabian

[samoyloff]

:)

[Tonya]

http://homepage.mac.com/tonyagoodnow/graphic_files/bluestreet/bluestreet4.gif

[Artemii]

Hello! :)

[AfroBoy]

Ramping up towards the deadline here now. Am happy to extend it for a few days to ensure we get the right result. Now for some feedback on the latest submissions ...

nhr: Thanks for submitting. Not quite what we're after. Feels a little too bulky. I don't mind the arrows in the 'B' but the perspective and the triangle doesn't quite work for me.

gig: Thanks to you too for submitting. I don't mind this so much, but the image obscures the text too much, and I would much rather see the "consulting" placed underneath the "Bluestreet" word.

Fabian: Thanks to you too! Interesting concept. Any chance of developing it a little? Perhaps bringing the B closer to the text, even overlapping it slightly? Not sure what I'm after, but would like to see a different variation on this theme if possible.

Samoyloff: Thanks for joining us. First impressions, I like it. Not keen on the blue colour thought, doesn't feel strong enough for me. Love the icon and the movement. Can we try with a colour change and a font change too? The "consulting" is a little too small to read.

Tonya: I still really love this font. Not 100% commited to the wave though. I like the movement, just doesn't seem "strong" enough yet.

Artemii: Thanks for coming along. Nice first version. Don't mind the font. Can you make "Bluestreet" with just the "B" capitalised? Would also like to see some development on the lines. At the moment, it can look a little too 80s computer game for me.

Raja: Still haven't heard back regarding some of the changes I would like. Would like to see a different font and perhaps moving the "Consulting" underneath the "Bluestreet" word.

All in all, things are looking pretty good so far. Thanks heaps for submitting everyone. I feel like we're starting to really get there now. A few more variations and I'll be ready to select the winner.

Cheers,
C.

[Artemii]

Thanks for the feedback!
What about such variant?
Artemii.

[AfroBoy]

Thanks for the quick response there. That's much better! Thanks.

Can I see a larger version of it please?

Cheers,
C.

[Fabian]

Fabian: Thanks to you too! Interesting concept. Any chance of developing it a little? Perhaps bringing the B closer to the text, even overlapping it slightly? Not sure what I'm after, but would like to see a different variation on this theme if possible

Intergated the (bird B) into the text :)

[nhr]

Thanks for feedback.

Second concept:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/_DO/BLUESTREET2_DO.png

[Artemii]

Sure!
Here it is :)
Artemii.

[AfroBoy]

Wow! Things do hear up quickly just before the deadline don't they?!

Firstly, Samoyloff & Raja, where have you gone? Are you still interested? I'm keen for both of you to continue submitting as both your concepts are definitely in the running.

Fabian: I like the overlap now. That looks good. Now let's see what you can do with the shape. Any expansion on that you have in your designer mind? Not 100% convinced on the font at this stage.

nhr: Thanks for the variation. I like the layout of this much better. Not keen on the font though and I still prefer the dual arrow 'B' concept, although perhaps facing head on. The idea is definitely in there, just feels a little too "heavy" at the moment.

Artemii: Thanks for the larger version. Let's see what we can do to "merge" the end of those waves into the B perhaps. The font is nearly there but I'm not 100% convinced on it.

Well, you're all incredibly impressive so thank you for your work on this. I'm considering extending the deadline for a few extra days and perhaps throwing in an extra $50. Let's see what comes out in the next few days.

Can't wait! :-)
C.

[Artemii]

Thanks for the feedback!
Here's a revised version. What do you think?
Artemii.

[Raja]

sorry about the delay :rolleyes:

[nhr]

Thanks for feedback & revision:

http://i17.photobucket.com/albums/b92/nhrdesign/BLUESTREET3_DO.png

[AfroBoy]

Huge thank-you to everyone that has submitted for this competition. The response has been fantastic. As it often is with these things, the decision has been really difficult, but we have to make one.

Raja, you are the winner here. The design is straight forward but has enough depth to make it interesting to us. With a few tweaks I think we'll be ready to use it.

Thanks everyone.
C.

[Raja]

Hi C

Thanks, what are the tweaks you had in mind?

[AfroBoy]

Hi Raja,

I'm not 100% comfortable with the layout of the parts. If you can do a quick shuffle of the following, that'll help me make up my mind on the final layout:

1. Could I please see it with the icon to the left of the text
2. "Consulting" aligned left and perhaps spaced out slightly
3. A non-serif font. Perhaps something more like samoyloff or gig's fonts

Thanks,
C.

[Raja]

something like this?

[AfroBoy]

They look perfect. Thanks. I got the file address from you in the PM so thanks. If they're vector format then I should be right to tweak from here on in. Otherwise, could you please send through vector format versions.

Thanks,
Carl

[Raja]

files sent, thanks

[AfroBoy]

files sent, thanks

Files received. Thanks very much for your work Raja.

Cheers,
Carl