Erick - Your revised design incorporated the graphic and the letters better. Not sure of the color choice but other than that, you're in the running. But, some of the new submissions are too. appleiinc - I like this one so much better than the other submission. Not a fan of the second version but the first one is interesting. Like your use of color and the book image. My only criticism is that the books seem a little separate from the site name. amerriaz - Like this idea. Not sure I like the font though. Could the pointer on the book page be moved a bit to the right? Was hoping for something that did not use blue. Any chance we could change the colors? getdomain4u - Like these versions a lot better than you fist one. Of the three, I guess the one I like the best is the second one. However, I think the proportion of the flat part of the graduation cap to the hat part is off - the hat part is still a bit too big. Like the look of the orange and black text but don't like the yellow/gold hat band. Also, the hat seems too square on the letter O. Could it maybe be tilted a bit? Athisa - it's cute. Made someone else in the room literally laugh out loud. No suggestions at this point.
John - I really like the concept you have here but not see keen on the shield shape for the body. Maybe if we made the body less thin and pointy and more rounded and blocky? It would kinda ruin the design for the tail placement but maybe instead of the tail we could have two little feet at the bottom? And, maybe a graduation cap at an angle? appleiinc - these are interesting. The gold text is a little hard to read for some folks. (I have someone in the house with some vision problems.) Also, I'm thinking maybe pull the graphic down and have it site on top of the second line of text and in between the first two words?
Hi Everyone, I have little doubt that it must be quite challenging to come up with a design where there is nothing else already like it. After all, there are only so many ways to draw a book and I truly get that. However, taking an image or part of an image, without making any or only limited changes, from a stock photo site and presenting it as your own design is not what I had in mind. Heck, I would have had a design done weeks ago if I was willing to do that. Worse yet, the stock image site in question does not allow their images to be used for logos or branding (I know, I just spoke with a very nice CSR from Shutterstock.) unless an "exclusive license" has been purchased. Exclusive licenses are often in the 5-figure range - certainly not something that I can afford. It's a shame that it seems virtually every contest on DP has at least one person who takes a few shortcuts and presents a design that, if chosen, could put the contest holder on the fast track to a lawsuit. Even if Shutterstock had allowed me to take the logo down without paying them and/or the artist damages, I would have had to also spend countless hours chasing down every site that may have linked to mine using it too. Cutting/pasting stock images into submissions is also grossly unfair to the talented folks around here who are taking the time and effort to create original designs. Long story short... appleiinc - you are out of this contest. If anyone else has used an image from Shutterstock (or any of the stock photo sites), please withdraw your entry. If I find the original before you withdraw you entry, I will be adding your name to this post. I'm so disappointed. Hopefully, this is the end of the issue and a truly original design can emerge as the winner.
getdomain4u - that's a good size for the band of the graduation cap, could you make the top/board part larger though? erick - I like the incorporation of the owl with a small stack of books but it looks a bit cartoonish. Maybe if it were more of a line drawing and less clip-art style? john - It's interesting but it seems a bit on the heavy side.
Hi Everyone, It looks like everyone is fairly well idea-ed out. To give anyone a chance who might still be working on something, I'm going to cut off submissions at midnight, my time. That's about 14 hours from when I posted this. As always, thank you for all of the wonderful submissions. Michele