[Project Complete] Logo for software consultancy - $200

AfroBoy · #1 10-31-2005, 08:30 PM

(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!

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 - Love the strongness of the red bars on the stationary with the movement/creative-flair of the logo itself.

Two - 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 - Simple, beautiful design.

AfroBoy · #2 11-03-2005, 01:16 AM

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 · #3 11-03-2005, 04:22 AM

I'm definitely interested in helping out.

will pst soon C.

Cheers,

Paul

Tonya · #4 11-03-2005, 01:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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.

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 · #5 11-05-2005, 01:34 PM

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 · #6 11-07-2005, 02:17 PM

see below

Raja · #7 11-07-2005, 02:22 PM

reworking idea, will repost

Virgil · #8 11-09-2005, 02:06 AM

Hello,

This is my first try

Virgil.

Virgil · #9 11-09-2005, 03:10 AM

2nd try

AfroBoy · #10 11-09-2005, 03:10 AM

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 · #11 11-09-2005, 03:15 AM

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 · #12 11-09-2005, 05:23 AM

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 · #13 11-09-2005, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfroBoy

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 · #14 11-09-2005, 04:33 PM

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 · #15 11-10-2005, 01:07 AM

AfroBoy · #16 11-10-2005, 01:23 AM

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. 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 · #17 11-10-2005, 04:49 AM

Another try

shnickerdoodle studios · #18 11-10-2005, 10:32 AM

One from me..

Thanks,
Deanna

RedEye · #19 11-11-2005, 05:37 AM

Here is one from Red Eye.

castell · #20 11-11-2005, 07:47 AM

Castell

AfroBoy · #21 11-11-2005, 04:31 PM

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 · #22 11-12-2005, 01:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by AfroBoy

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:

castell · #23 11-12-2005, 05:53 AM

Hello, Carl

Here are some different placements and font alteration.

AfroBoy · #24 11-12-2005, 06:22 PM

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 · #25 11-12-2005, 11:30 PM

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

Virgil · #26 11-13-2005, 03:19 AM

Hello Carl,

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

Virgil.

Virgil · #27 11-13-2005, 03:24 AM

Another change

Virgil · #28 11-13-2005, 05:43 AM

Another try

JaysonC · #29 11-13-2005, 04:45 PM

AfroBoy · #30 11-13-2005, 11:33 PM

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.