HN: Help me pick a logo | Hacker News Reader

HN: Help me pick a logo

9 pointscsytan26 comments

Hey all,

I've been working on creating a crowd-sourced freelance translation site for the past few months. It's now time for me to choose a logo!

Could you help me out?

Contest:

http://99designs.com/contests/35426

My favorites:

http://99designs.com/contests/35426/entries/44

http://99designs.com/contests/35426/entries/47

View on HN

Against what most have suggested here so far, I actually like #47 significantly more. Here's why: When I hear 'translator', I immediately think of someone furiously typing on a computer or transcribing something on paper - nerd-like behavior, which the glasses really do emphasize. Also, with #47, the face of the caterpillar is the main point of focus, with the rest of the body relatively undemanding of attention. That sort of emphasis and meaning isn't in #44, imo. And the type in #44 is too styled. You want something effortlessly readable.

Logo 47 seems more memorable to me. Meaning if I surfed off your site and 1 month later seen #47 somewhere else I would be more likely to remember it is associated with your company.

Agreed. It is also much more communicative about the site's job, possibly because of the reading glasses.

If you go with logo 44, the 'i' (and thus all the text) should probably have a different font face, or should not be capitalized. I say this because:

(a) There is ambiguity between that capital i and the lowercase l. Although the rest of the text is capitalized, it is not worth the risk potentially confusing your customers.

(b) Caterpi and Caterpl are both reasonable ways to shorten Caterpillar, so which adds to the confusion if there is typographical ambiguity.

Cheers!

Great suggestion, Thanks!

From the displayed logos I like #44, the caterpillar is very cute. I also agree with the suggestion to change the typography to something that is not capitalized.

Yes, but the BW version needs a touch-up. It looks like it has a sad face.

plus one on both of these suggestions.

I like #47 more, not doubt about it. It fits the brief better, and leaves a stronger brand impression IMO. However, I agree with matt1 that having the character looking directly at you may be an issue. I think it's okay... I'm trying to remember another logo where that's the case. To be on the safe side I'd probably pick #44 though, if unsure, as it's certainly nice enough.

These are both very good but I'd go with 44 for the simple fact that the caterpillar in 47 is looking at you, which is awkward.

I recently asked HN to help with a submission for my upcoming project (http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1059075). I used CrowdSpring and paid $200+$30 for the contest. I got a lot more submissions than you did with 99designs for $150, but it looks like your submissions were in general a lot better quality than the ones I received on CrowdSpring. If I need to get a logo designed in the future, 99designs seems like a good alternative.

Personally I also prefer #44, although one of my friends mentioned it looked like a pokemon :S

I did see your previous submission, which is where I got the idea to ask HN (thanks!). CrowdSpring was another option, but the really smooth transition from learning about how 99designs works, to ordering a project really impressed me.

The Reddit alien is looking directly at you; no awkwardness there. I don't think it's an issue really.

I think #47 is more unique and therefore recognizable with minimal context. If I saw #44 in a favicon cropped to just the head I'm not sure I'd be able to tell what it was, but I'd definitely recognize #47.

I like #47. For some reason, I feel that 44 is more suited to a site for children. When I look at #47, I think of a book worm, and it is easy to associate it to what your site actually does.

Site: http://www.caterpi.com

Contest: http://99designs.com/contests/35426

My favorites:

http://99designs.com/contests/35426/entries/44

http://99designs.com/contests/35426/entries/47

The machine-translated Russian version is pretty bad :) I can help you with a proper translation if you want.

Hehe, thanks for your offer. I know I've got a lot of work ahead of me!

Here are some strings I fixed:

Caterpi connects freelance translators and their clients. We will be launching in early 2010.

Caterpi соединяет передовчиков-фрилансеров и клиентов. Наш сервис откроется в начале 2010 года.

Translate (x) -> (y)

Перевести (x) -> (y)

Topics

Темы

For Clients

Для клиентов

Caterpi lets you order translations from freelancers.

Caterpi позволяет Вам заказывать переводы у фрилансеров.

How do I get started?

Как мне заказать перевод? ("How do I order a translation?")

Choose your languages, enter your text, and check-out with PayPal.

Выберите языки, введите текст, и оплатите перевод через PayPal.

What happens after I check out?

Что произойдет после оплаты?

Your text is sent to a pool of translators, one of which may choose to accept the job.

Ваш текст посылается в пул переводчиков, один из которых может взяться за работу.

What if no one accepts the job?

Что если никто не примет работу?

If the job has not been accepted after one week, Your PayPal account will be refunded.

Если через неделю ни один переводчик не принял работу, ваши деньги будут возвращены на ваш счет на PayPal.

For Translators

Для переводчиков

Caterpi is a platform for freelance translators and their clients. We help you find clients, manage jobs, and process payments.

Caterpi - платформа для внештатных переводчиков и их клиентов. Мы поможем Вам найти клиентов, управлять работой, и принимать оплату.

Wow thanks! I'm always surprised at the generosity of people on the internet. =)

P.S. If there's anything that you need some help with, feel free to contact me through the email in my profile.

Same for the German one. Better version:

1) Caterpi verbindet freiberufliche Übersetzer mit ihren Kunden. Wir werden im Frühjahr 2010 starten.

2) Translators => Übersetzer

Thanks Sujan, I've made the changes.

If I may: Suggestions for the site itself, not the logo...

I love the one-stop "what do you want to translate" on the homepage... but you should definitely add an "advanced" section w/ bulk rates, translation by "guaranteed professionals", upload forms, etc.

Nice idea though! Definitely would use it to translate some software.

You may want to consider a lowest-bid approach too for the future.

I prefer #47, it's been made with quite a bit more attention to detail.

The glasses suggest intelligence which is good for a translation service and it does better in greyscale suggesting that the contrast has a lot of information and is memorable. The font is a little broken though, particularly the "a" and how the ".com" doesn't align with the baseline.

try http://pickfu.com/, it's what we've used before

I wouldn't choose any of them really

Go with #44, but change the type.

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