Logo critique

[daSnarf]

Hello all! Im working up a logo design for a financial organization and wanted to get some opinions on it. This is fairly simplistic, seeing how most of the other logo/trademarks in this industry seem to focus on the name.

Also, this project was given to me as part of the hiring process. Not sure if that falls under "spec work" or not, but man...do I want the job =)

http://img509.imageshack.us/img509/5922/foundationsnq8.jpg

[bejamshi]

I would keep the top and get rid of the bottom one.

[tZ]

I'm getting trust and reliability from this. I think its important that a financial logo communicates these things.

[Ned]

I agree with Tz, I think it looks good. And FYI... yes, that falls under the category of spec work, but I shan't scold you for that. :D

[obesebee]

I like it. The letterspacing needs looked at, and do you have a B&W version we could see?

[PrintDriver]

There's an optical illusion going on where the bottom and top edge of the two slabs appear to bow in and squash the word Foundations. It may have something to do with your border line weight being very nearly the thickness of your font.
Try either making a full perspective slab top and bottom or try varying the line weight of the border.

The very fine-line black borders on the left side could be problematic for trapping reasons. It will be lost the smaller this goes.

[morea]

There's an optical illusion going on where the bottom and top edge of the two slabs appear to bow in and squash the word Foundations. It may have something to do with your border line weight being very nearly the thickness of your font.
Try either making a full perspective slab top and bottom or try varying the line weight of the border.

^ agreed. That was my take on it, too.

I do like the simplicity of the mark, just address the issues PD mentioned and you'll be in good shape.

[Jackimalyn]

I would keep the top and get rid of the bottom one.

Id keep the bottom and get rid of the top (foundations...)

[WannaBrie]

I agree with Jacki, lose the top one as it seems to suggest a roof, and it sort of looks like foundation is squashed. And of course, after all, a foundation is just that. I think you did good on this one. Although, I might like to see a heavier font used. As in, a STRONG foundation.

[daSnarf]

http://img407.imageshack.us/img407/1773/comp1ah6.jpg

I removed the fine black outlines, and I think it helps. Also included a black and white version as well.

I tried switching the top/bottem but think it weakens the mark a bit.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I agree with all the above, I would lose the top part and make the font a heavier one. Bottom left on the latest version, but I think a nice sans serif would be worth a try.

[YNOT]

I agree with all the above, I would lose the top part and make the font a heavier one.

I agree...the logo mark is so bold yet the logo type is so whimpy. Nice work so far though...I like where it's going.

[daSnarf]

http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/5854/compsheet3yx9.jpghttp://img65.imageshack.us/img65/8792/compsheet2cu0.jpghttp://img65.imageshack.us/img65/294/compsheet1ia1.jpg

[double A-ron]

Hmmm, I'd have to say I like the top ones the best. I think the bolder font definately helps out the design, as well as loosing the top triangle. The only thing that truly bugs me about any of it, is that damn teal color, but you're probably stuck with as that's what the company's already using, correct?

[daSnarf]

Better color scheme?
http://img74.imageshack.us/img74/7580/compsheet4mj8.jpg

[Virgo Nightingale]

I like the green better. This blue doesn't say "strong" to me. Perhaps a darker green or something in the brick red family?

[WannaBrie]

I'm with Virgo...Brick red. Very strong color for a strong logo! I like the bolder font, much better...Looks good!

[double A-ron]

Perhaps a darker green or something in the brick red family?

Both are good thoughts. A darker blue might not be too bad either.

[Logo-Mechanix]

I like the green better but I would darken it slightly, the sans serif font and the removal of the top triangle made a big difference. Part of me wants to kern out the company name to the edges of the triangle if for nothing else to see what it looks like. My .02 on the business card is too much white space on the right side but that is just my opinion. Nice work though.

[daSnarf]

I was worried about contrast issues with a darker color, but will tweek a bit.

The business card was something I was trying out. The negative space really pushes the eye towards the information =)

[Virgo Nightingale]

I was worried about contrast issues with a darker color, but will tweek a bit.
It will take some working to get a shade that is dark enough to portray strength and light enough to contrast the black. <rob schneider impression> YOU CAN DO IT! </rob schneider impression>

The business card was something I was trying out. The negative space really pushes the eye towards the information =)
Always great to experiment, but here it just looks really unbalanced.

[daSnarf]

http://img405.imageshack.us/img405/8007/bccompfi5.jpg

[Logo-Mechanix]

I would actually put the logo on the bottom here (foundation) and make it smaller. Move the other info to the top or slghtly towards the middle and again make it a little smaller. I know you kerned ou the campnay name but it should either be far away from the edge of the mark or perfectly lined up with it, at this point it's just close to the edge.

[daSnarf]

Actually, tried something a bit different. I turned the BC around and changed the color scheme a bit. I'll also try it with the other logo/type and see how it comes out.

What do you guys think?

http://img63.imageshack.us/img63/1301/compsheet9sg8.jpg

[Mono]

Agree with virgo, darker green maybe. I much prefer the sans-serif font.

[daSnarf]

http://img402.imageshack.us/img402/6707/compsheet11wz1.jpg