Logo for ClassicBroncos.com - $50 prize

oldford · #1 06-14-2003, 12:20 PM

(Admin code added by Palmer - 802156)

Hi all! I've been lurking here for a while and have been very impressed with the talent of all the designers. So I thought I'd give it a shot.

I'm looking for a logo for my site ClassicBroncos.com. My immediate use for the logo will be for t-shirts, hats and printed material, although I may also use it on the web page at my next redesign. The site is an online community for 1966-77 Ford Broncos (you know, the old boxy ones

) and deals with everything from restoration to hard core offroading.

Contest Info: The prize is $50, although I may pick more than one logo so potentially one person could win more than one prize. (Don't worry Palmer. If I select more than one entry I'll go through you to make sure the "shipping and handling" charges are paid.

)

Deadline: I'm not really in a hurry, but let's give it about 2 weeks until June 30th. If needed I might extend a day or two.

Style: I'm looking for something clean and professional. What I DO NOT want is "cartoon" or "charicature" type designs. I would guess up to 4 colors since I'm looking at screen printing. The web site name "classicbroncos.com" should be included in the logo or adjacent to it.

Colors: I'm terrible at colors so I'm not going to give much direction here. I'll try to give color feedback during the contest.

Format: I'm assuming I need vector for screen printing and/or embroidery work. (Someone can correct me if I'm wrong on this)

Sources: I have some Bronco photos here and about a zillion more in my gallery. Also, I'm not sure if this will be a help or a hindrance, but here are some of the graphics or ideas I've had in the past: http://classicbroncos.com/logos.shtml

I think that's it. Thanks in advance for the great work!

**cre8or** · #2 06-17-2003, 01:25 PM

I'm not much of a one for drawing trucks... but I'll do my best to get something together for you.

oldford · #3 06-17-2003, 02:11 PM

Thanks Kimber. I was beginning to worry. 3 days and no responses yet.

Maybe it's the truck thing. Maybe this is a more landscape/pets crowd. j/k

Kimber, don't be afraid to stylize or focus in on certain elements. Nothing says the whole truck has to be in there.

Looking forward to it.

**cre8or** · #4 06-17-2003, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldford@Jun 17 2003, 06:11 PM
Thanks Kimber. I was beginning to worry. 3 days and no responses yet.

Maybe it's the truck thing. Maybe this is a more landscape/pets crowd. j/k

Kimber, don't be afraid to stylize or focus in on certain elements. Nothing says the whole truck has to be in there.

Looking forward to it.

When I get it done I sure hope it doesn't look like a fluffy puppy...

Just kidding... look for something soon.

ejlain · #5 06-17-2003, 07:10 PM

Hi, here's an idea for you.

- Ed

oldford · #6 06-18-2003, 08:57 PM

Ejlain, thanks for the entry, but...It's not quite what I'm looking for. I want to give you feedback, but I'm having a hard time putting my finger on exactly why it doesn't quite do it for me.

I think maybe there's a little too much going on with 3 different fonts and the star. Plus the BRONCOS font reminds me too much of the old Denver Broncos logos. Don't want to get confused with them!

Playing off the Ford oval isn't a bad idea. However it does remind me to mention that I want to stay away from the literal use of the Ford Bronco emblem for copyright reasons.

As more entries come in I'll hopefully be able to give more direction. Thanks!

Michael · #7 06-19-2003, 03:47 AM

Hello,

Don't know if its too cartoonish for you..plus does it look like a Bronco??

Michael

oldford · #8 06-20-2003, 11:32 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by 2square@Jun 19 2003, 05:47 AM
Don't know if its too cartoonish for you

Yeah, it might be just a little too cartoony. I think I'm looking for something a little less literal. More stylized or abstract.

One thought I've had is to look at the old 50's style ads for inspiration. Simple and clean, with limited colors. Here's a quick example, although don't pay any attention to the product they're selling. Just the images.
http://www.retroadart.com/collection.html

I'm sure there are tons of other examples of "retro" ads on the net, but I just found the above one after a quick search.

I'm heading out the door for the weekend. I'll check back early next week and respond to anything new.

Thanks!

Michael · #9 06-22-2003, 12:27 PM

Your thoughts..

Michael

oldford · #10 06-23-2003, 07:55 PM

Thanks for the effort 2square, but the straight profile shot just isn't really doing it for me.

ejlain · #11 06-24-2003, 03:07 PM

Hi. Here's another try.

- Ed

oldford · #12 06-24-2003, 04:24 PM

Hi Ejlain,

Looks like that's a Bronco II, or later model Bronco. Ford made 3 different versions throughout the years. My site just deals with the early years of 1966-1977. See my previous links for photos. Your first entry was the right model.

Sorry to break the news!

I think I'd also like a cleaner font.

Tyler · #13 06-24-2003, 11:43 PM

Are you pretty loyal to the retro look?

oldford · #14 06-25-2003, 10:05 PM

Quote:

Are you pretty loyal to the retro look?

I would like to pursue the retro idea, but no, it's certainly not the only direction to go.

RadicalSEED, thanks for the entry. Here are some comments/thoughts:

I think the scale of the lettering is too dominant compared to the image. It overpowers it a bit.
Would the slight gradations work for embroidery or silk screening?
I'm wondering if there's a way to integrate the text and image/icon better instead of just an image next to text. I don't mean something literal like turning the O's into tires or anything. Something more blended maybe? Just thinking out loud.

Thanks!

Victoria · #15 06-26-2003, 07:37 AM

Here's my shot. I was toying around with one of the sketches I saw on the site you provided in your original post.

oldford · #16 06-26-2003, 12:58 PM

Thanks Victoria. Aside from the spelling mistake (no "H" in Bronco) I like the detail in my original hand sketch better.

Victoria · #17 06-26-2003, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldford@Jun 26 2003, 09:58 PM
Thanks Victoria. Aside from the spelling mistake (no "H" in Bronco) I like the detail in my original hand sketch better.

Oh well. Would you like me to persue trying to resemble better your sketch?

Raja · #18 06-26-2003, 02:40 PM

oldford · #19 06-26-2003, 08:16 PM

Quote:

Would you like me to persue trying to resemble better your sketch?

Victoria, I was hoping to see some new ideas. Maybe it was too confusing to provide that link to my other graphics.

Ondarox, thanks for the entry. I'm a little torn on this one. It's a bit more cartoony than I was thinking, but the sketchy quality is appealing (maybe it could evolve w/ colors to take on a similar look to your Walnutworks logo below??). I'm not really crazy about the font, and if one word is going to be more dominant I'd prefer it to be "Broncos" as that's the key subject of the site.

One common thread on all the submissions so far is that they've shown the entire truck as an object by itself. I think I'd prefer something more stylized or abstract....The essence of the truck without necessarily showing the whole truck. I know a stereotype of car guys is to be very literal (ie. typical hot rod t-shirt designs) but that's definitely not me.

Maybe it would help to show everyone designs that I do like to get a sense of my style. It was easier to put them all in one image. Hope none of the designers minds.

Liz · #20 06-27-2003, 12:15 AM

I love designing retro styled logos, so I gotta toss my hat into this contest. That retroadart site is one of my favorite stops on the web for inspiration.

That said, I'm not sure if this logo concept is too literal for what you want, but I think the design is an overall strong package and, it comes in right at 4 colors.

Thanks for your consideration! Liz.

coxy · #21 06-27-2003, 04:04 AM

When I heard the word 'broncos' in the name I immediately thought of a bucking bronco - the horse type. So, I was going to play on this, by doing a 'classic bronco' bucking - horsey style....

Then I realised I cant draw...

So, I just thought I'd suggest it if anyone else wanted a go at it.

oldford · #22 06-27-2003, 06:37 AM

Now we're getting somewhere rabbitdog! Nice job. I'd like to have you play with it a bit more, but it's in the right direction for the retro design. I won't have time to comment today, but I'll post again Sat with some ideas/tweaks for you.

Coxy, I'm glad you mentioned the "bucking Bronco horse" thing before you took the time to draw it. That wouldn't have worked for what I want. The horse emblem was used only in later model Ford Broncos so it wouldn't be appropriate for my site. Just in case anyone was thinking about it.

Also, if anyone has a question like that feel free to email me before starting to see if it's the right direction.

Thanks!

Palmer · #23 06-27-2003, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by oldford@Jun 27 2003, 10:37 AM
Also, if anyone has a question like that feel free to email me before starting to see if it's the right direction.

Thanks!

It's against their rules to contact you privately during the contest, but they can post their questions here

Tyler · #24 06-27-2003, 08:34 AM

Here's another retro-ish look

oldford · #25 06-28-2003, 10:59 AM

Radicalseed, thanks for another entry. Not crazy about the mountains/pyramids.

I'd still like to see the image and text more integrated and a focus on the elements of the truck rather than the entire truck just sitting there by itself. These pics might help for closeups:

http://classicbroncos.com/favs/Dcp_0454.jpg
http://classicbroncos.com/favs/DCP_0453.JPG

One of the things I like about the retroadart images is the fact that they're so compact and efficient. They almost all have a border, either with an actual line or by background color and shape.

oldford · #26 06-28-2003, 11:12 AM

Rabbitdog, again, this is going in a good direction. Here are the tweaks/comments I promised.

At first the checkerboard background bugged me, but it's actually growing on me more. Still, would it be possible to see some different background options?

I like the slant of the "Broncos" text as it helps give a sense of action, but I'm concerned when printed on a shirt or hat it might look like the whole image was mistakenly tilted. I don't know if it should be tilted more, or straightened out.

The ".com" being straight certainly helps so don't change that. Maybe if the individual letters were straight, but were staggered so the word still went up at a slant? Sorry, it's a little hard to describe. Again, this is just on the "Broncos" text. The "Classic" looks good.

I also have a couple of minor cleanup things on the image, but I won't bug you about those unless you're the winner.

Thanks!

oldford · #27 06-28-2003, 11:14 AM

One more thing...this contest was supposed to be over Monday June 30th. Would it help anyone to extend this a few more days, or should I just keep the deadline?

Liz · #28 06-28-2003, 11:29 AM

If it helps you visualize any better, here is an earlier draft before I added the perspective:

I elected to go with the check background because I was running out of colors (the version above has one too many), and it was a way to give the illusion of a solid background, without the extra color.

- liz.

oldford · #29 07-01-2003, 06:34 AM

Well it's the 30th and the end of the contest. I'd like to thank everyone for their time and efforts in submitting ideas.

And I'd like to congratulate rthe winner, rabbitdog!

I'd like to go over just a few minor cleanup items if that's OK. You can email me at webmaster@classicbroncos.com or I'll contact you.

Thanks again everyone!

ElKootcho · #30 07-01-2003, 06:40 AM

Nice work RabbitDog.