Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hey SUNers, I need your advice on picking a logo for my start-up.  I know some of your feelings about Sitepoint but the reason I created a contest was that I now have 50 different artists angle on what my logo should look like.  Some of these are a joke, but there are others that with a little polish, are quite good.  I feel like I`m too close to the project to be objective.  Not to mention I`ve been staring at them for the last 3 days.  Being that you are potential customers as well as fellow starterupers, I am interested in your opinion.

My product is called Art Z Cars.  They are removable and reusable decals that adhere to your cars surface and can be repositioned or changed without leaving a residue.  There will be a variety of designs ranging from hibiscus flowers to skull and crossbones so the logo needs to represent a variety of looks.  Right now I`m ready to launch my product and need a 3 1/2 x 12 inch bag header, this is what most entries are designing.  I need to pick a winner tonight so if you have a minute, I`d like to gather as many opinions as I can.

Thanks for your help
www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/contest/2053

I`m curious about your target market.  Who do you think will be buying them?  Also, is it patented?  The first thought I had was their advertising capabilities.  Here in Chicago there are tons of delivery services, dog walking services, etc. in which the employee has to use their own car.  The company can`t really ask the person to alter the appearance of their own car, but if it`s removable, and therefore only used while doing business, that could be a really cool extention of your product.  Sorry, I know you asked about the logo, but being uncertain of who you are targeting I`m not sure; there`s a big difference between a nascar look or a flower-power look.  

I like #7, 8, and 12. (I think 12 is my favorite, though.)

To me, a logo should be readable at 60mph, zooming by a place on the highway. It also should be readable in very small sizes, like on the corner of a business card. If the words themselves aren`t readable, there should be something immediately recognizable as a symbol, or colors. These three do it for me, plus they look pretty cool.

I don`t think a logo necessarily has to explain the business. Instead, "brand recognition" comes into play, where people will eventually associate the logo with the product and company. So it doesn`t matter to me, so much, if the logo says anything other than the company name. In an interesting way, of course. :-)

#4 or #5

patented?  I`m not sure what is patentable here.  will you register anything as a trademark?

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James Lindon, Ph.D. Patent Attorney
Lindon & Lindon, LLC
Cleveland, Ohio
Patents, Trademarks, Copyrights, Pharmacy Law, Litigation
[this is not legal advice - provided for discussion only]
Intellectual Property for the Individual and Small Business: Identify, Protect, Enforce, Defend.
"Fools rush in where angels fear to tread."
http://www.LindonLaw.com

Thanks for the input and replies.  My target market is 16-30 female and males.  It will greatly depend on the design, obviously not many males will buy hibiscus flowers.  I plan on unveiling a new design each month.  As far as a patent is concerned, no I don`t think it can be patented as it is an existing product just a different application.  Did some research and was fairly sure not patentable.  I did file a trademark for the name Art Z Cars.

This logo won`t actually be on a vehicle, only the decorative decals will.  This is for the product header, biz cards, website, and promo material.  About the website, it is a very very rough draft.  I needed to get samples of my products online for a business meeting and that was about the extent of my abilities. 

Thanks for the input, it help enormously.

 

Booklover,

My business is going to have 3 different branches. 

1. Novelty/gift

2. Business advertising/Political

3. School mascot/logos

It really is a exceptional product, especially when compared to magnets or permanent decals. 

 

I like 8.   These are great and I love the car on your website...  In a younger day, that would have totally been me!!  ( As much as I`d LOVE to adorn my Minivan with pink Hibiscus, I`d be laughed out of the cul-de-sac!)

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Leslie
Founder and President
Charmed Life Products LLC
Grill Charms™… The MUST HAVE grilling accessory that is revolutionizing the American Cook-out AND The perfect gift for any occasion!
Grill Charms
                                                                                                    

Grill Charmer,

I happen to drive a blue minivan and have purple hibiscus flower all over it.  I get a ribbing or two but you`d be surprised how many cars stop me, and not all youngsters, wanting the decals.  Don`t have to adorn the whole car, you can just do the back, side, hood, whatever you want.  That`s the whole concept, put 1 on or put them all on.  Also doing holiday themes and wedding, birthday etc.  My brain no longer stops at bed time..  What a change from my flight attendant days... Exhilarating.....

This one:
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/contestentrant/2053/837 91#entry114046

Like the idea of a license plate look too:
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/contestentrant/2053/126 861#entry114260

Like the style of the top one here:
http://www.sitepoint.com/marketplace/entryscreenshot.php?con testid=2053&entryid=115685

~Roland

--I used links because the number of images changes

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