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Ask HN: Critique of logo design ideas

1 points by c_prompt ↗ HN
I've often heard complaints that our current logo looks like it was drawn by a toddler with a paintbrush. One of our users just submitted 48 logo suggestions and many of them seem terrific. I have 9 that are my favorites (but what do I know since I threw the current logo together). I would appreciate feedback as to which ones you'd prefer (and, if you'd be willing to share, the reasons you selected the images you did). Thanks in advance. The comment with the images is at https://valme.io/c/gettingstarted/suggestionbox/h5qqs/project-new-logo-concept-for-valme#c551.

(If it helps, some of the ideas I wanted to incorporate into the logo are at https://valme.io/c/gettingstarted/suggestionbox/h5qqs/project-new-logo-concept-for-valme#c413.)

3 comments

[ 3.3 ms ] story [ 23.0 ms ] thread
wingerlang
Yeah your current logo is horrible. And speaking of horrible stuff, I think you should decrease the tags, deemphasise lesser important links and work on the padding. It all looks VERY messy.

On top of that, I have no idea what your website is about - until I look at every link to find that literally THE LAST link on the website is the explanation.

Now for the logos.

http://i.imgur.com/A6DcE80.png

Bottom I dislike they look a bit corporate and doesn't convey anything about the site as far as I gather.

Middle is kinda okay, but it just looks like financial discussion.

The top ones.

The tree: Nice logo, money grows on tree. Still, it is kind of "invenstment-y" but the logo itself is cool so I like it.

The growing tree: It is cute, and something about money will grow.

Brain: Kind of getting there, ideas = money. Now the logo itself is too monotone / too green and will be hard (like the tree) to draw and make nice in smaller situations.

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I don't think any of them 'clicks' with the site itself, but I can't really come up with something of my own. Maybe a lightbulb combined with a subtle $ inside and an upvote? It's a tough one.

Or, since the name is valME, maybe just a profile shape with a $ inside? It connects the money with the "me" aspect.

Or, a coin with an upvote inside it. That would signify that the 'upvotes' are the 'currency'/money.

c_prompt
This is all great feedback. Thank you. I was actually leaning toward the money tree/plant idea too (someone else brought up the idea of adding water/watering can which I really liked). Your point about drawing and making it look nice when it's small is an excellent point. The idea of a coin with an upvote inside is brilliant and would be much easier to make/use for small situations. I'll ask someone to draw a mock-up of that.

I'm very much interested in finding a UI expert to help with the project.