the polls are now open
As audio’connell Voice Over Talent has opened its division, International Voice Talents (which strangely enough offers professional voiceover services from…international…voice…talents, get it?) we needed to kick up the branding a bit.
Its logo time.
The goal of this logo design was to mimic some international signs with their abstract iconography; the good news was that many of those signs use the colors red, white and black as does audio’connell Voice Over Talent and Voice Over Workshop (see, we were destined to do this international voice thing!)
Place your vote below in the comment section including whether you’re picking the logo you love or the best of the worst. Voting is open to anyone so tell your friends…but hey, vote only once please.
Certainly branding is hard work but nobody said it couldn’t be fun!
(Click on icon for full view)
CHOICE A
CHOICE B
CHOICE C
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A has my vote!
Hmmm… Peter, you know I adore you, right?
I do. And I respect your marketing opinions. Truly.
But I don’t like any of them. I know where you’re going with it… I get the whole international sign/colors. I do not like the mic.
Sorry, but I know that I can express my opinion to you, and you’ll take it like a big boy!
Gee, Peter …
How about #3?
I hold my vote for I totally agree with Caryn. But then again this is only the first voting round isn’t it? I’ll be more than glad to stop by again
Hi Peter,
Choosing from the three available, I’d pick “A”. It has more definition, looks really clean and the image is stronger.
Best,
Steph
Hi Peter,
I vote for C.
Thanks!
A
Hmm, well, they’re all so different…hard to choose!
If I had to pick, I’d pick A, but with all of them, I would adjust the spacing of the text so that International and Voice Talents take up the same amount of space horizontally. That just bugs me
“A” would be my choice as well. Keep it simple… clean.
I lvote for “C”.
I vote for the red one.
And if it’s “International Voice Talents”, why are the words international, voice, and talents all in English?
I mean “Internationaux Sprachtalente” sure has a snappy ring to it.
B
My oh my, this didn’t take long! What a hoot.
@Tom Ackerman – getting up super early everyday has its benefits…you call “first”!
@Caryn Clark – Duly noted and sincerely appreciated. I know your comments have my and the company’s best intentions at heart, no doubt. But I am a “got a problem, here’s a solution” guy. So what are your thoughts on an alternative logo. Would love the input…keep the discussion going!
@John Florian – Hope you got the difference between the three via our emails.
@Edo Peters – See my @Caryn response. I welcome your ideas too!
@ Stephanie Ciccarelli – I like your reasoning
@Allen Scofield – simple and to the point, thanks!
@Lou Zucaro – Interesting take on the spacing because in earlier versions, that’s the way it was but I asked that it be changed to break it up a bit. Let’s see if we get a consensus. Thanks
@Dave Christi – noted and clean, sir.
@Jim Sutton – appreciate your vote
@Bruce Miles – You must be reading my notes
Voting has just started folks….keep it coming!
Best always,
- Peter
i think #1 has more definition and will prolly print better … i’ll go with that one.
Peter, I can’t say that I disagree with either Caryn or Lou, but sticking with the current options for now, how about adding a subtle “map of the globe” effect to either the windscreen on the mic, or to the circle where the RCA logo would be on version C?
Peter,
The best of the lot is A in my opinion, but I’m not blown away with any of them.
Be well,
Bob
I hear you… I too am a “Here’s the problem, here’s the solution” kind of girl. Unfortunately, I was running out the door to a session yesterday and didn’t give this the attention it deserves.
I’m sort of a visual person, so it’s hard for me to conceptualize things, BUT, I’m thinking (off the top of my head) you create some sort of flag or something of that nature to use instead of the mic.
And, I’d have to see it, but I think I agree with Lou about the letter spacing.
But really, the mic is the think that bothers me.
Hmmm… or… another thing off the top of my head, if not a unique flag, what about a simple image to convey sound? That would keep in clean and simple.
OR, maybe some sort of sound/ear type image (remember the one image like I had from my designer? Not that exact thing, but something like that maybe)?
I’ll give it more thought throughout the day and let you know if I come up with any other ideas.
I just read Doug’s comment…. I like the globe idea too!
Hey Peter!
To choose between all three, “A” would be my choice.
I was also going to suggest something with a globe, and then read Doug’s comment & like the globe/windcreen idea as well!
I would also expand the “International” letters so that they line up with voice talent.
But hey..whatever you do, it’ll work I’m sure!
L.
I’m going with A. It looks good from a distance and up close too.
I was driving to PIttsburgh and back today tracking the voting…just enjoying opinions….
@todd ellis – I appreciate your opinion and upon further review…you ARE the crappiest! (See VO-BB.com to be let in on the joke.
@Doug Turkel – looked at a globe effect in early renditions…didn’t work out. Good thought though
@Bob Souer – is that like saying “I’ll vote but I won’t like voting?”
@Caryn Clark – so you don’t like mic?
Sound icon is an idea except I see a ton of those on
the web
@ Liz de Nesnera – the letter spacing thing does seem to be a problem for folks proving voice folks are very buttoned up…in a good way
@ David- thanks for voting
Awesome input everyone…polls remain open
sorry I don’t like any of them this mic was used in the fifties
I once used the old phone for people to call us, you know the one with circle dial and one day relised we all have push button phones,that was 1990
I like “a” the best for the holes are perfect but the bottom stem is not
what about i-phone, head set, wire less looks
sorry just a couple ideas
Frankly (I’m frank on Fridays), I am not fond of any of the 3 choices. Too much microphone. Too much red? I would find a way to make the logo ’say’ International without saying International if you know what I mean (God knows, I don’t). A man on a cliff staring off-shore? A border around the logo in small foreign languages? Well it’s early and we retirees do not get up this early normally.
I like B
#2
I became a US citizen so that I could vote, so here goes:
A – it’s cleanest
But, line up the letters as others have suggested. Yes, the mic is dated, but I think in any language it clearly states what you do.
Peter, took me a bit to see the diferences between the options. Choice A wold be my pick–it’s the cleanest. ALign the letters inthe 2 rows as noted in other comments. Good luck. Jer
Peter,
Congratulations on expanding your business!
From reading the other comments, it seems like you will be submitting some new options. I will save my vote for the next round
You know for a while there I thought it was one of those picture exercises where you had to find the differences in the picture; like some guy has a big nose in one but not the other. Oh well it takes me a while sometimes. Having studied at the Whatsamatta U. Art Institute I can’t say they blew me away but sometimes clean and simple is the best. I would say A but I would like to see some typeface emphasis on “International”.
Mark
Hi Peter;
This is exciting!
Thank you for the opportunity to weigh in on such an important business investment.
I think that you made a great decision to create energetic collaboration and discussion around your logo development.
I am particularly passionate about brand management and business identity in my consulting practice.
The beauty of a branded logo is the ’synergy’ that it communicates at a glance. A logo should reflect accurately ‘WHAT YOU DO’. An equally important consideration in logo development is connecting the people interacting with your brand to ‘HOW YOU DO IT” differently; emotionally communicating your distinctive business personality and identity.
In my opinion the 3 almost identical options are relatively dull; not capturing the ‘WHAT’ or ‘HOW’ optimally.
Have you considered parted lips animatedlycovered in a pattern of international flags with your branded name radiating away from lips as sound waves?
or…
Imagine your retro microphone with a headset overtop as if actually on a head (perhaps made up of your business name)… alter the microphones coloring to reflect a global perspective rather than red. Adding the headphones helps to identify a deeper personification; communicating a nuance that the microphone alone doesn’t capture.
and…
Though you have chosen a funky retro style microphone…have you considered that the microphone is outdated? Do you know your likely customer demographics (I ask because young people don’t necessarily identify with a microphone any longer)?
Why red?
Why position the name so distinctively apart from image?
I am anxious to see the progressive developments and will look forward to hearing about your successes.
Gloria Zemer, gzemer@Blackdogconsultancy.com
Mark Hayes took the words out of my mouth. A!
# 3 with a sound wave that extends past the logo box would be nice.
Also – I belong to Downtown Toastmasters in case you need public speaking voices for English.
http://www.downtowntm.org
I like A the best.
If you’re adding anything or changing it, consider a reel of tape to indicate recording?
I know a singer fluent in spanish if you’re looking for talent.
Good Luck
Tony
Hi Peter,
In fact, under separate email – I’ll send over her info, pdfs and contact info.
Here’s a question — have you set your primary target market? i.e. say Hispanic v-overs? I am sure you want to serve all languages – yet, some may be easier to work with–pay the bills etc. I know firsthand in the San Diego marketplace we have a ton-oh Hispanic media – radio / TV – and specialized agencies. The look and feel of International logos I believe is far more stylized, strong, dramatic — I have a Hispanic graphic designer I work with here , Cielo R. Jimenez-Gonzalez, and I’d love to see what she’d come up with for you
Always networking . . .
And my vote is CHOICE D. None of the above — please, no “heart” feelings. I absolutely LOVE your serif “a” in the “O” with the apostrophe – award-winning. Give this new company the same power brand.
Great comments all…keep them coming…
@Bob Funk – actually that mic (based on the RCA 77) goes back further than the 50’s I think
@Phil Wiggle- I know red looks very bright at 6:30 a.m. but I appreciate your input, thanks!
@Michael Donovan – Thanks for your vote
@Theresa Winder – I will add you to the growing “align the letters” delegation…you’re always welcome to vote here
@Jerry Reynell – also a new delegate (see above)
@Melinda Whitehead – Not sure if there will be a round 2 as we don’t have Procter and Gamble monies for logo development
We’ll see.
@mark s hayes – I’ve set your appointment at LensCrafters for tomorrow
Thanks for your vote, please come back often!
@Gloria Zemer – thank you for such a thoughtful post. Just briefly, the microphone is an attempt not only create a universal icon that people from many nations can recognize but it also ties in with audio’connell’s primary icon.
@Kevin Kelly – I’ve asked mark s hayes to return your words to you…this blog does not condone stealing
@Patrick Mellody – thanks for the idea
@Tony Blasting – a reel of tape?! in the digital world? If you thought the microphone was antiquated
Thanks for the idea
@Sue Almon-Pesch – no hard feelings at all. Thanks for the input, I very much respect your opinion.
Great stuff folks…keep it coming.
Best always
- Peter
A has my vote. B and C look a little fuzzy to my eyes!
Hi Peter,
Susan asked for some input here,
my best suggestion would be keep it clean and simple. The less lines the stronger the results. Plus this will help you attract young talent from around the world. I will send you some quick suggestions via Susan.
Hey Mr. O!!
No question…”B” gets my vote. it has a kind of 3D quality.
Russ
A is the best of the 3 shown because it’s clearer. The microphone might be outdated (and will younger people even recognize it?) HOWEVER, if you are going for brand recognition and you already have a microphone for your other logo, why not use the same exact picture of the microphone and just add the new words? OR, why don’t you keep the same logo you have and add the words “Now International” or “You Pick the Language” or “Now In All Languages” in Italics underneath? That way people will recognize it’s your company (and you won’t have to re-establish your brand or credibility) and you’re letting them know you have expanded your services.
Hi Peter – I love that you are including your friends and colleagues in your branding decision. Great idea! I did like “A” best and agree with the alignment issues noted in other comments. Best wishes for your continued success!
PS – I just asked Alex, my 8 year old, what the red icon was and he knew immediately it was a microphone and Sam the 5 year old agreed.
@Erica Bontje – thank you so much for your vote!
@Cielo Jimenez- Thanks for participating but I couldn’t figure out what your vote was.
@Russ Papia – Interestingly you’re one of the few who chose B but I like your reasoning, thanks
@Pat Herberger – Thanks for your ideas, very thoughtful.
@Jeanne Hellert – I think Alex and Sam have provided the best focus group answers thus far!
Thanks all, we’ll keep this going for a few more days…great feedback!
Best always,
- Peter
Hi, Peter:
Great idea to request feedback from colleagues!
I am purposely not reading other comments before placing my vote.
I like B or C the best if the microphone could be more perfected.
Put me down with a vote for “C”
Hi Peter:
Love this idea!! My vote would be for A – nice and clean.
Thanks
Karen
@Connie Stives – thanks Connie. As a client your opinion is even more valued!
@James Lorenz – So noted James, thanks for visting
@Karen Dunn – I think A is coming away as a winner so far!
Thanks to all!
Best always,
- Peter
Peter,
A good logo must be scalable and useful in a variety of sizes. With that in mind, Choice A comes closest to that ideal, however I’m not crazy about any of the fonts or arrangement of the words. Though I’m not a designer, there are much more interesting fonts you might look into.
Chris
@Christopher Greene- Thanks for visting and your voice. While I agree with the thousands of good fonts available (with that number likely rising to millions if you include bad fonts), I know there are more interesting fonts than Helvetica but few more internationally recognized. Next time your in an international…anything, see what font they use more often for their signage. I truly appreciate your input. Thanks!
Best always,
- Peter
[...] thanks to everyone who voted, who advised, who hated and who opined. I appreciated all of it at its universal root: the desire [...]
so I’ll go with short and sweet…
AAA
or maybe
A
Yeah, I’ll go with A
Great stuff Peter!
———
Brian Forrester
Professional Voice Talent
http://www.brianforrester.com
brian@brianforrester.com
778-668-5715
~ Vancouver Based Talent Providing Source Connect, ISDN, Phone Patch and/or ftp ~
Oops. obviously late to the game yet again!
Catch ya next time Peter!
Brian:
You’re never late here. Plus you voted for the winner and didn’t know it!
Best always,
- Peter
“A”.
The feel of the international signs is spot on with the first design. The others are too detailed, nice but too detailed.
moe egan
I vote for A…I find the others to come across a little fuzzy. Many times logos are reduced and you will lose the definition of the icon. My best Peter…Shelley
Moe:
Excellent choice! Thanks for voting.
Best always,
- Peter
“A” wins for me. I feel that it best fits the “abstract iconography” style of international signage. The others are not only too detailed, as Moe mentioned, but too realistic, mainly in terms of the implied dimensionality of the mic. Most international signs that I recall have had more of a flat feeling, and “A” works best along that line.
Justin:
I enjoyed your reasoning on your vote. Thanks for participating
Best always,
- Peter