We’re rebuilding Trailblazer from the ground up, and it’s time that we got a new emblem to match the new, and improved version of this community.
I commissioned Dustin Hoffman (not the Rain Man) to help me design an all new look. If you’re seeking someone to help you with your brand, logo or website, I highly recommend working with Dustin. He’s been incredibly professional and has really blown me away with his work (it speaks for itself, see below). He’s in high-demand, so get in touch with him soon while he’s still available if you can.
Anyway, I’m terrible at making design related decisions. I’ll agonize over them for weeks.
So I thought I’d enlist your help in choosing the new Trailblazer badge.
Here are the candidates:
How to help:
Please leave a comment below and let me know which you like best: A, B, or C.
I really appreciate your help with this. I feel like they’re all so beautiful. I can’t decide. :)
I really like logo number 3 because I think it best represents blazing a trail and reaching your final goal (top of the mountain). They all look great thou!
C! The flag on the mountain screams of journey, trailblazing and adventure. I also love the shield look and the typography. Rock on brother!
C! The flag on the mountain screams of journey, trailblazing and adventure. I also love the shield look and the typography. Rock on brother!
C all the way!
Then A, then B.
C
A : )
C
C for sure, then B, then lastly A!
A, overall. I do like that flag at the top of C, very much, though. That little flag says it all.
For input you didn’t need, I’d love to see the mountain of C replacing the trees of A.
1st place C
2nd place A
3rd place B
I vote for C as being most professional and “trail-like”. Not sure if I’d put the year on it, though.
My vote goes to “C”
I vote for “C”!
Logo A is best
Logo B is second
Logo C looks like a mountaineering standard
Definitely C. A reminds me of the Olympics somehow and B just doesn’t grab me.
I prefer C! I really like it.
A. Definitely A.
Agree with DanRiha… A with the mountain of C replacing the trees of A. Keep the little flame under it.
I’m going for A, then B…C reminds me of a golf course.
I’d definitely go with ‘A’. It has more of a ‘forest ranger badge’ look to it :-)At a glance, ‘B’ is too thin, which makes it too hard to read against the background image.’C’ seems to be too ‘Quicksilver’-ish in my opinion; both the font and the curves on the mountain.
Yeap I like C but replace the background with background A.
C – seems most fitting conceptually
C gets my vote…compared to A, it has a richer feel. I especially like the cut-out logo on C and the darker background.
C gets mine for sure … though I generally prefer minimalistic. 1st one resembles something more akin to enviro or sustainability product to me (though I like it).
As far as brand, C is most compelling for me. Hope that helps!
“C” and they are all very nice. This one makes me feel like it’s envisioning that grand destination on the mountaintop.
I like how A integrates the text into the logo. But… I have to go with C. Love the symbolism of the mtn.
C has the most solid appearance; the heaviness of the lines gives it an imposing presence which sticks in one’s mind.
I would say C. It has the most ‘trail’ in it
I vote for A. There’s a nice connection with your existing brand. And the grouping of trees has a great resonance of community, growth, nature….and all sorts of good stuff.
A
Easier to read. The title is front and center (literally). No wiggly lines. Pine trees – point the way with focus and energy.
A bit concerned about the reproduction of these at smaller scale like business cards for example… If I was forced to choose one of these 3 I favour version B. I would omit winter and make 2012 larger for better reproduction. Maybe thicken up the stroke on the border. Beef up the font on TRAILBLAZER and perhaps add a bit more tracking.
I like C the most because it has the most attack in it and the meaning of the logo is really loud and clear. B is skewed somehow and has half the attack of C. A is more like “what is this? whatever, lets move on”.
Maybe combine A and C. I love the banner in A but the mountain in C.
For some reason none of these (all great designs) really grab me or “say” anything…. they all have somewhat of a corporate look/feel to them… if the backgrounds are part of the design I’d re-think that approach… It softens the message way too much.
With that said – here is my preference in order from best to not-so-best…. with some notas below.
B – A – C
C – the closeup of the mountain/peak shot is too much like paramount pictures logo… and looks more like an outdoor sports/adventure company logo than anything else.. The font/lettering here i do like though — it is bold and makes a statement…
A – pine trees? Really? what is the significance there? Weird raindrop/hook looking thing… the significance of winter 2012 is unclear and potentially confusing.
B – I like the established in date… it has significance and makes sense — have to be wary of re-branding when you do this though…
overall… good designs but overall the are all soft and seemingly insignificant…. I’d keep trying.
@webbrd On second thought I have to agree. They look pretty corporate and I could see them as logos for outdoor sports clothing. I think using photos as backgrounds with whiteish text/graphics softens them and reduces impact.
@lucid_ink@webbrd Exactly!
I am not a graphic designer, but my kids love to paint and my mom was an art major. : )
Quick answer: C
Long answer:
In looking at the choices I have to rank the following elements:
Overall: C, A, B
Background pic: C, B, A (The background in C shows mountains and is rugged. A & B show water which has a totally different connotation. If you do choose the water may I suggest cropping out the debris near the bottom to clean up the image?)
Font: C, A, B (Beefing up the font in B may help it become a viable option)
Shape of logo: B, C, A
Icon: B, C, A (I think the flag has a different meaning depending on if you live where there are mountains or not. I thought golf course immediately, but it appears others (who have that frame of reference) associate planting a flag at the top.)
Put the graphic of A on the C background
I like the design in A the most, but C gets the message across better. Tough decision, but I say go with A!! :)
It’s C for me!
A, love the trees, hex and typography!
I really like the trees…. to me it tells me there is no trail and the needs to be one. Logo A reminds me too much of “Only you can prevent forest fires” . Logo B has my vote…maybe the mountain needs a flag on it :)
I’m going with A or C. A is extremely easy on the eye and C is original. I think A works better with your brand. We’re not helping much, are we? Yeses split every which way and a couple of all around vetoes. But then, we’re just throwing up mirrors. You know what to do, man.
My vote is for C. The logo is classic and doesn’t overpower the background. It’s rustic. It gets the point across.
B. It’s cleaner, and isn’t reminiscent of a boy scout uniform.
C is my preference
A looks like an advert for a running shoe or camping gear or a sports event
B is just a bit all over the place.
They all remind me of some kind of outdoor or sporting event
if I saw A without knowing anything about Illuminated Mind I want to know. but C with the mountain & flag is brilliant. So..
C!!!
I like A — but I’m with some of the others, the ideal design would be A but change the trees at the top to the path/flag concept — to me the trees are more literal, but I love the overall feel of A.
A, because it feels like a badge you would earn as an achievement but with the mountain peak and flag on the top from C as the pine trees, whilst I get the relevance to you, may not trranslate to others as well.
I vote C. The other two look too much like US Forestry Service brochures to me.
Logo A is the most formidable. Strong, definitive presence with banner and hex shape. I prefer the balance of A over the others. If impact and impressions are what you’re going for… Logo A stands strong and is just waiting to be imbued with all of Illuminated Mind’s Trailblazer goodness.
Has anybody else noticed that “B” has a typo? It should read 2012, not 2011.
I like the graphic best in C but I don’t like “Trailblazer” is underneath the logo. Uitimately, if you are about calling attention to the program, I think that the name should be more prominent, in which case A is better.
A – All the way. C is a bit PGA Tour in my mind :)
I like C but A gets my overall vote. I think incorporating “Trailblazer” into the logo is just cleaner and makes a bolder statement.
Not digging the typography in B. It’s a bit hard to read.
I love A!!
Hi Jonathan, I really love the ribbon and font used on logo A + the hill with flag of logo C. A combo would be brilliant but, if I had to choose just one as is, C gets my vote :)
Number three because it gives the impression of climbing to success ; )
A is money!
A for sure.
I love A and C but if I had to pick one, it’d be “A”.
Going a bit further, the ribbon and the trees are very cool on “A” and I really liked the mountain with the flag on “C”. I personally, would make a mixture between “A” and “C”.
Put the ribbon from “A” in “C”, lower it a bit so it doesn’t covers the mountain that much, get rid of the floating “trailblazer” text and add the corresponding “20” and “12” to its sides. ;-)
C. The flag at the top of the mountain gives me the impression that I’m blazing a trail to somewhere.
It’s a little hard to evaluate without seeing your design brief as this is really just preference and interpretation. That said, I can’t pass up the opportunity.
One question: is the intent to ‘always’ use this logo in conjunction with the background image? If yes, my answer is C as it’s the most natural incorporation of all elements.
If no or not sure, A most strongly brands Trailblazer as a logo element. The ribbon effect of A is also a nice choice and implies award. Not crazy about the trees in conjunction with the background picture. Especially with use of the swoosh/fire symbol (blazing a trail)? That little symbol is also a little reminiscent of Nike. Path symbolism seems disconnected.
Not crazy about B. Typeface seems a little old/retro for something that’s just been reinvented. It’s a little more throwback overall. I don’t get path from the graphic – I get water/fluidity.
C looks like something I’ve seen before somewhere – PGA? If there’s any way to incorporate Trailblazer into the icon, that’d be ideal. It also has a nice ribbon effect to it. And I love the addition of the flag which suggests there’s a destination or summit to be reached and that reaching it is possible.
As a branding professional, my vote goes for A, but replace trees with the mountain top/flag from C.
A is strongest and most cohesive design, but the trees and flame don’t communicate as clearly as the mountain and flag of ‘C’.
Not a fan of the photo in the background, but A would stand up on it’s own on ANY background – solid color, pattern or photo.
A. (:
So nice! I get the dilemma. I vote for C, seems the cleanest and simplest yet very powerful! Rock on…!
Logo B – no question about it..
I really like A , it’s the most rugged as a stand alone logo. However, if it will be used over several web elements then it could be a bit much.
Your intro video is pretty good. A scary prospect blending in with the whole.
I like C
A is great
I like B; it reminds me of signs you see on trails…
I like A. Definitely my favourite even though the other two are great. Its sharp looking.
I like the font of B – definitely evocative of blazing trails. :-)
I like Logo A because I can read “Trailblazer” really easily, it’s a bit lost among the trees in the other two
I like C – Reminded me of Zig Ziglar when he says, I’ll See you at the Top. I would stay away from A – unless it reworks the flame. Feed burner people may get upset with you.
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Thanks for the course John. I got Trailblazer through your Clay Collins interview you did in late 2011 and it helped me get on track.
C the flag helps give the feeling of completing, getting to the top, achievement…
I like A… :)
Best to OK. A, C, B
A by a significant margin. Then C.
A
My vote is C…..good luck with choosing! :)
I prefer C, that flag on the top of the hill is a good one.
I really like Logo A, however the flame housing the year is verysimilar to the Moksha Yoga logo. Also fire and trees don’t mix well ;)
A is the best by far!
A
I read all 78 comments before posting, and found them to be quite informative, collectively speaking. It is interesting to see how the logos get interpreted. Personally, I liked logo c, for the same reasons other people did. It seems to express goal achievement. However, at the same time, they don’t seem to give the fit well with the content or purpose of Illuminated Minds. They look more like a sporting event logo.
In my humble opinion, Dustin has already created the most effective logo for Trailblazers. Just use the bottom part of the poster he created to sum up Illuminated Minds: Blaze your own trail. http://www.trailblazer.com. All the pertinent information necessary concisely packaged.
I am a first time visitor, as of today. I could be biased in the above opinion, as it was the poster Dustin created that led me to sign up for the manuals. It is what made “Illuminated Minds” stand out in my mind from other similar sites. I also liked it, that as I continued reading, I found the on site information matched what was expressed on the poster.
I think i”m on my way to becoming a “true fan”, Jonathan! Well done!
Hey,Dee,here….I absolutely recommend using design B ! It popped out right away. Perhaps it depends on what you want the logo to portray.A and C have a badge kind of look.Reminds me of a camp logo…B on the other hand has a sleek look,kind of directional, a sign one might follow when on a journey….Hope that is helpful and not critical… :)
I think that A is the best, but with the mountain design of C instead of the trees.
I like the option A
A.
A
I like option A
Whoops entered twice lol
I like A the best.
A!
Hi Jonathan..you are right your friend Dustin did a great job on all three logos.. but I like A best. Your banner across the center is nice. Everything else in the logo is pointing upward and symbolizes growth and upward mobility. .
It will have to be A or C. The year and the winter text is too small and less legible in version A tho.
I like the graphics in C.
A is also nice but I find the text too dominant for a personal development service (it looks like a snow mobile race to me!).
A — it tells a coherent clear story. The important part (trailblazer) is big and clear. The year, in my oppinion, is less important and looks good as more of a detail than the focal point.
C.
I say B. I like the mountain better than the trees. I don’t like C as much because it breaks up 2012.
B!!!!
A – I think it stands out the most.
A!
I like C best. It’s aesthetically more pleasing to me (A is a bit harsh and in your face and B feels a tad distorted) plus it tells your story – with the flag at the top of the mountain, it takes your eye right there….to the summit, the destination. Nuff said!
The mountains in B and C really say “golf course” to me which is a little too cliche I think. I like the more vintage type trees in A with the ribbon style banner which creates a great focal point. The flame with the year under the banner does take away a little bit, however, and I wonder if a more symmetrical or softer shape might be better. Or perhaps even no shape and just the date… Either way, A is my pick!
The ribbon ends in A are a little overpowering, but it’s still the best logo of the three. Logo B looks outdated (and I don’t know what the bottom part is supposed to be), and C looks like the logo for a televised golf tournament. “Trailblazer” is an afterthought in Logo C.
Definitely A.
I’m gonna go with Logo A, though I also like Logo B. Not a big fan of Logo C.
C.
I like A
These all look like logos for a mountain marathon event or something of the sort. I really don’t get a sense of what I know to be the true intent of these images.
Option A – lightning does it for me.
A
They all look like dated logos for Smokey the Bear (A), a ski resort (B) and a golf tournament (C). As others have said, none of them portray what Illuminated Mind is all about. They all say “stale” to me which is totally NOT what you’re about. The vague, washed out nature of the background photo doesn’t help.
Maybe an action photo of the toes of your hiking boots as they’re heading through a trail, or something like that (like you running through the woods in your video), with the words very small and off to the side – kind of like Nike ads.
I like “C” the best.
Aww man, golf? back packing? smokey the bear??? faded colors don’t look retro or attractive, just faded and tired I’m afraid. And you and your stuff is so fresh and current and lively. You love them so I want to love them but really – not as dynamic as you, so a disconnect happens. If it’s smokey and golf, there’s nothing there for me to relate to – well, smokey is nostaligic, but I’m about going forward, not the past. IMO
A
Option A is definitely the strongest design but the trees are misleading. I like the mountain graphic, it’s more symbolic of Trailblazer. ‘Winter 2012’ is very small, as designer myself, it’s easy to spot something in a logo that could be problematic. So when scaling the logo to a small size ‘winter 2012’ won’t be legible.
A
Definitely A. Though I might suggest what that would look like with the mountain imagery instead of the trees..
That was eaCy!
A.
@Prana is right. However between the 3, C is the winner. Slogan below “Trailblazer” would show what the site’s about.
C. (well balanced and the flag on the top of the mountain is a strong symbol…)
Well, option B is the correct logo. Let my hearty arguments clarify you.
C breaks ideas, the logo is scattered. The 2012 is broken, the trailblazer name is outside the logo. It can be a hard fit as a design idea to be placed anywhere. the logo shape is uneven and gives a sense of unrest. Furthermore it is a shield-like piece, a defined security symbol, which I don’t think is what you want to transmit.
A logo is a bit more appealing, however the ribbon is also an element of security. Furthermore, winter 2012 has a fiery symbol, which I don’t know if it is adequate, as transmit opposed ideas. Furthermore the logo piece is an hexagon, has too many sides and misses some kind of spearheading attitude. The three tree set piece signs a security in numbers, not a single persons challenge.
I would say A and C are security symbols. They do not shake you. They are intended to say: You’re safe. If that is the idea, one of them is the right choice.
B is bold, audacious, dangerous. B is an arrow, it is sharp, it can cut through a distant objective, which is the single mountain. Where C has a “been there, done that” idea of a flag – which means somebody already been there, so it is safe – B says: “this is your unconcquered mountain”.
I would only replace, on B, winter 2011 to winter 2012, to make it actual.
Hope I made myself clear.
@edericorocha Thanks for your thorough review sir.
I would also like to point out Trailblazer font on B, The font edges are marked, every letter has an extra accomplishment written. It is not a Z, it is a Z with an attitude, with gusto. The other logos fonts are plain and they transmit “work done, lets head fast to the other letter”. B font has an extra quirk that gives you an edge.
I think logo A is the best one. good job!
I like logo C.
Personally I like A the most. Most people can’t see the trail for the trees, but you’re helping us do just that. Thanks
I like A.
I’m going to have to go with logo C. I like the image of the mountain front and center- plus it looks like it has a “trail” going up it, with the goal (flat) at the top. Good visual symbolism.
@ethanwaldman Thanks for your thoughts, good observations.
I love C!
I like option A the best. No reasoning, I just like it instinctually.
Logo C. I would also try taking B and adding a flag onto the top of it. I think that’s why I like it.
The word Trailblazer looks like it was an afterthought on C (even though I like it the most)
I like A. It stands out and doesn’t take over the whole screen like B and C do
I like option B the best. It seems the most current while the other two remind me of old fashioned logos.
I’d go with option A. It looks more like a badge that someone could earn. I know that the image in B and C is a mountain, but for some reason it reminds me of a golf course more than a mountain peak.
@mikerouten I agree with you about the golf course. That was the same impression I had when I saw it too
@kcstewar@mikerouten Yeah, I’m starting to see the golf course thing now that more people mention it.
A for sure
Even though I am in the minority I like B!
@Loran Hills I’m rooting for it too. :)
I like B. It incorporates the company name into the logo as one graphic, and portrays the summit as the goal. Perhaps the shadow should be on the west side of the mountain to suggest a “rising sun” state of mind.
B is calling my name, definitely the one I’m most attracted to.
I’m feeling A definitely…
@seanogle Thanks for weighing in dude.
I really like B with A as a very close second choice.
Hey there, I like B and Craig likes A. Personally, I think A looks too much like Smokey the Bear’s logo. At least that’s what I think of when I see it. B looks clean and tight to me.
@AlexisNeely Thanks for weighing in Alexis. Watch out Smokey, we’re coming for you! ;)
Sorry, I am not feeling any of them: I feel there needs to be a tweaking in the choice of typography.
B B B
Clean (no fine print lurking inside),
Contained (no frou-frou/tentacles hanging outside),
more scaleable than the others, more adaptable … to whatever progress, evolution carries us along.
Perhaps cleaner, non-serif typeface, like C has,
though a typeface that loses the crossed-over zero
(we don’t have to distinguish numbers from letters here, though in other cases the cross-overs are welcome).
I like B. If you’ve ever done any hiking, it looks more like a sign you might see marking a trail.
@davidamoore B was my favorite going in, but I was curious what everyone else thought as well. Seems like people really like A & C the most.
@JonathanMead@davidamoore whatever you do, don’t do C. somebody mentioned golf course, country club and that is exactly right. A was a very close favorite of mine as well. But as I said, being a hiker and having been on trails, the familiarity with trail signs is what swayed me. Have my permission to use A. :) But please not C!
I vote for B!
I would like Logo A with a mountain instead of trees. Logo B is okay- but the typography stinks and it looks stretched.. Logo C is nice, but it would be better with the year down below instead of broken up on either side of the logo.
@Chris_L_Harris That seems to be the consensus. It’s great what you learn when you ask your community for feedback.
Definitely, definitely A.
And keep the trees… And that little swooshy thing at the bottom.
A for sure
Less is more. Go for B. A is too busy and C looks like a crest for a country club. :)
Andy
@thedroidman You didn’t know we were getting into the luxury retreat market? ;)
My choice is A. It is appealing to the eye. I like the flame at the bottom with the year. It might look great for the flame to be a little bigger.
B seems very rigid with the points and it feels like a yield sign to me.
C reminds me of a Boy Scout badge.
All are good, but A is very pleasing to the eye for me and I like the banner.
I’m most drawn to A. The type is bold, easy to read. I really like the trees and sign, it fits the whole trailblazer idea and tells a story upfront.
I think something else to consider, beyond the overall look, is how well the logos will translate to different sizes, colors, and backgrounds. Thinking in that perspective, I prefer B the least — I can’t imagine the type being very readable at small sizes, especially the date
Best of luck! This is a tough decision indeed :)
I’m in favour of A as well. The points on B draw your eye away from the message in the middle, and C looks too much like a shield to me, which is kinda the opposite of what your whole ethos is about (as far as I understand, from a humble, non-trailblazed persons perspective). I like the bold approach, I like the flame, and I like how the whole message is consolidated in one place for your eye to fall on.
I’m in favour of A as well. The points on B draw your eye away from the message in the middle, and C looks too much like a shield to me, which is kinda the opposite of what your whole ethos is about (as far as I understand, from a humble, non-trailblazed person’s perspective). I like the bold approach, I like the flame, and I like how the whole message is consolidated in one place for your eye to fall on.
I really like B. It’s got a wonderful zen feeling to me.
I find myself being drawn to A. I love the trees. It gives me the sense of freedom and wilderness.
I like them all but I’m going with C
Happy choosing
Tali
I go with C. They are all indeed beautiful and striking. But Logo C says the most about what you are bringing to me – that flag at the top of the mountain smack in the center of the logo, in the center of their my psyche.
I vote for B!
I like the simple clean design… although I wish there wasn’t so much filled in with white so you could see more of the landscape behind it… the others are too busy.
As much as I like the retro feel of A – I reckon B feels like it’s got action involved.
Weren’t there three different choices before? Took a look when the post went up but now when I have a chance to comment and I’m seeing all 3 new logo designs. Voting for C. (especially with the mountain type background. :-) )
A seems more balanced and appeling to me though I’d remove a dash in “2012” for 0 not to look like 8.
A
Hey Jonathan, all of these are great! There’s an aspect to each logo that I find intriguing… However, I have another suggestion. But instead of writing you a dissertation trying to explain it lol, I made you 1.5 min screencast here –> https://screencast.com/t/gAHWfWSs I hope you don’t mind ;)
@Thea Hey thanks for the very personal response Thea. Wasn’t annoying at all. Very helpful, actually.
The first one looks best
A is great. I like B a lot too but A just seems to work =) great logos!
Gotta go with B. its 2012 a leap year means symmetry.
They all look great! A is my favorite though.
I can’t say what it is exactly, but C stands out for me the most. It’s seeming sharp, modern, crisp, clear and honestly, funky. It’s not to soft and not too harsh. Actually, the logo in the middle seems like something that you could turn in to a good badge or banner, so for me, it’s definitely a winner. (the other two are pretty sweet as well fwiw).
Matt
the first one, A. BY FAR. the others pale in comparison.
Jonathan… I truly believe that what you are doing is so much bigger and powerful than your logo that it’s going to be successful and memorable no matter what you choose!
Jonathan… I truly believe that what you are doing is so much bigger and powerful than your logo that it’s going to be successful and memorable no matter which option you choose!
Number 1 for me
For me its C. The design of the mountain and the flag gives me a message like “reach your goals”. And since all of them look equaly cool, I would choose C :)
Very nice post. I love it.
the 1st one is by far the best.
A :)