Wanted: A Good Logo and Branding
Now hiring: Brand designer to develop logo and brand collateral for soon to launch wine business.
Eight months ago I launched this blog to network and engage for what would “someday” be a brick and mortar business. I distinctly remember saying, “If I can use Twitter and Facebook to get to a point where 200-300 people know who I am before I start my business, then I’ll be better off than the guy starting from scratch.” Never did I intend for “someday” to come so quickly. As a result, I find myself in a brand crisis needing clarity and direction.
There are a lot of talented graphic designers out there. Many of you are looking for clients, work or freelance jobs. Because I launched this endeavor through social media channels, I decided to reach out to the social networks to find a solution to my current branding need. I’m offering $1000 to the person who submits the best logo and brand collateral of my choosing.
The Details:
The contest will run through August 31. If no suitable brand is submitted, then a winner will not be selected. Entries should be submitted to josh@nectarcoffeeandwine.com in standard image file format. Winning submission must be able to fulfill all elements of the requirements to qualify.
The logo and brand collateral should be created to work as business logo and sign, web site header, business card, on merchandise, and in video.
The Business:
DrinkNectar is developing into several different business opportunities. The logo and brand should be created to maintain flexibility of the different business aspects.
Example: DrinkNectar (Wine Blog), DrinkNectar (Tasting Room), DrinkNectar (Wine and Coffee Bar), DrinkNectar (Media)
The first immediate use of the logo will be on this blog but it will also be used on a wine focused business that is tentatively set to open in mid-November.
The Brand Elements:
Currently the focus of DrinkNectar is wine, but the logo should not be so singularly connected to wine that it cannot transfer to other beverages (coffee, tea, etc) in the future. Design with the thought of nectar as being a liquid that can be tied to multiple items. The brand feel is modern without being urban or ultra modern and is still warm without being too organic. Brand elements should convey a sense of class without being stuffy. Feel free to look through this blog to get a general feel of my communication style over the last 9 months.
Brand Personality:
DrinkNectar should convey class, comfort and fun. The brand should be modern and simple. Personally, I’m more rock-n-roll and blues. Target market will be wine and coffee lovers (which skew 60/40 women to men). The brand should appeal to 21-35 and 45-60 markets equally.
Brand Colors:
I’m currently not tied to specific brand colors but they should be a marriage of warm and modern. Simple and clean lines and use of negative space are of value to me.
Brand Tag Lines:
There are two tag lines that I’ve used since the beginning of my branding that I would like to continue to incorporate. They don’t have to necessarily be incorporated in the logo, but will be added to the brand collateral.
“Enjoy life with friends…” and “Drink Happy”
Disclaimers and Disclosures
Winning entry must be able to provide an invoice that is billable in 15 days. Content should be provided in .psd, high resolution jpg, and vector image. Upon payment, winning content becomes property of DrinkNectar. DrinkNectar reserves the right to not select a winning entry.
Previous Logo Iterations:
friend.. show your business some respect and simply select a designer you feel comfortable working with. Design contests like this are a disservice to the design community and without establishing a relationship with a designer you will never reach the full potential good brand development can provide you.
Chris, I appreciate your comment and sentiment. I’ll choose to run my business how I started it and built it, by leveraging the power of the social community. I mean no disrespect to the design community and I do have a relationship with several firms here locally who are helping with various aspects of my business. As far as I can tell, I don’t know you and neither do you know me. There are several in my immediate circle who are out of work designers who would love the opportunity for freelance work.
I write freelance and at times what I write is not selected or used. I don’t see it as a slight and nor is it a disservice to the print medium to seek various content pieces.
I respect your opinion and will continue with my contest regardless of the outcome.
Cheers!
I was referred to you from a client and was wondering if the contest is still going on? If so, I would love to participate.
Betsy,
Thanks for reaching out, the contest did not result in a winner being selected. I went the route of hiring a design firm.
Regards,
Josh