just enter your email address below to get this blog's updates, news, and more!which logo do you like best? (Tracy and I get in a fight)
I kind of screwed up with Tracy (if you don’t know, Tracy basically runs sh*t around here).
Here’s the story . . .
The other day, in the midst of pre-launch insanity, I called Tracy up and said something like:
“I HATE graphics, because I obsess about them to no end. So would you mind handling the header for our new product? Because if *I* handle this, I’ll go back and forth with the designer like a billion times and nothing else will get done.”
But this is where I dug a hole for myself. I said something like “I trust your sense of design more than my own . . . and I’ll be 100% fine with whatever you decide.”
So last night — at like midnight — I start going through the final designs and generally screwing around with this nonsense. I found a header I really liked and sent her this email:
Tracy, BannerX.jpg . . . this one is so sweet. Are you OK if we go with that? I still want to try fading to blue on either side, but I REALLY like it.
–Clay
Well, turns out she had already gone back and forth with out designer to finalize ANOTHER banner.
So we’re going to put this to a vote.
And I promised her I’d go with whatever you decide. (And NO, I’m not going to tell you which one my favorite is).
“Fighting Words”
Tracy wrote this morning to say . . .
“I think ‘mine’ knocks ‘yours’ right out of the park! And I really do think you should send out an email and have a vote, because I will then have the entire community backing me up when you’re trying to give your lame-ass opinion on graphics in the future
. Anyway, if mine wins, I expect you to address me as ‘Oh most brilliant one who is always so wise.‘”
–Tracy
Nice.
Ok, so here’s the deal.
I have the aesthetic sensibilities of a bat (and that’s being generous) . . .
. . . so I’ll probably end up losing the bet and having to call her ‘Oh most brilliant one who is always so wise.’
Dammit.
So, I’d be super grateful for your help us sort out this nonsense by telling us (in the comments) which of these two graphics you like better.
So . . . which one most EXCITES you? Header A or header B (let us know in the comments)?
Header A (click on image to see it at full size)
Header B (click on image to see it at full size)
Thanks a ton,
Clay and Tracy
View Comments
I like Header A…hope that's the one Tracy likes (no offense Clay)
Design A
Header B – much simpler and it makes the title stand out.
I like Header A, I think the swirling graphic connects better to the “O” than the fluffy stuff floating into the frame on Header B.
Header A
Gotta go with Header A. It looks more…High Tech to me.
B – a simple is a stronger design, generally. The name stands out more in this one.
B…it's cleaner
Header B
Clay left out one really important piece. If he wins, I have to address him from now as, “Oh Most Wise One Whose Taste I Never Should Have Questioned.” I *really* hope his design doesn't win!
Header B. You have too much going on in header A, the logo gets lost in it. In design simple is always better.
Header A by a long shot, it shows motion/interactivity
I prefer B. The techie graph-paper look in A has been over-used.
Banner 'B'. It has a flow. It's easier to read.
With Banner 'A' my attention gets caught up in the twisted window screen – too much going on.
Header B, the Swoop, for sure! The grid makes me feel like I'm being contained, whereas the Swoop offers limitless possibilities!
B – cleaner. If you shield off the headers with your hand or paper, it looks even better.
I'm trying to avoid guessing what logo you prefer, but I think you might end up having to address Tracy with her new honorific
I studied design, and based on my background I have to say that header B is the way to go. It's clear, clean and has a nice flow to it. Header A's background distracts from the text too much for my liking. Although header A looks 'cool', you will probably have a better conversion, and wider appeal with header B. I could go on, but I don't want to be accused of art snobbery.
Just offering my 2 cents. Good luck with the decision.
I like B better… like the repetition of the color scheme in the “swoop” and the lettering. Agree with others on the font, though…
B, the fadeout kills it though. Try to let it run to the edge.
The design on Header A is way more sophisticated but I think you should experiment with other fonts.
You're asking me? Okay… Honestly, one of these would have a shot at exciting me if the color combination was like, blue and green or pink or purple, then, MAYBE I could pick one. But I have a reputation for driving my creative collaborators out of their minds, so, uuh, okay, I'll shut up now : ]
B. Tron isn't that cool
Header B
it's b, guys. no doubt about it. “A” looks like a cheeze from 1998, and the swooshing behind it detracts from the instant readability of the copy. despite one of you being wrong and one right in the case, over all you both get very high marks from me
B. A looks very early 90s, and not in a good way.
I'd have to vote be…it looks cleaner and more finished. The other looks a bit amateur.
C
Header B.
You're asking me? Okay… Honestly, one of these would have a shot at exciting me if the color combination was like, blue and green or pink or purple, then, MAYBE I could pick one. But I have a reputation for driving my creative collaborators out of their minds, so, uuh, okay, I'll shut up now : ]
well i prefer B.
The top one just look more suited for techie, programming type of work!
B – not sure what all of that swirly line stuff in the top header “means,” but it certainly pulls the eye away from the text, which is likely not the point…
I'm all about banner A.
Top one.
The swoop is prettier, but A has motion. I vote A.
Header B looks a bit like Firefox to me…
I like A, because it has an interactive feel with the netting or webbing. It includes the wording as part of the design, too.
Hmm… I can't say I'm a big fan of either, but if I had to pick one, I'd pick B. The grid lines are tough to take in on A, too busy. Though B seems incomplete at the far right and left because of the fade out.
A does more for me. The grid communicates connection…interaction.
I like B
Choice B! When in doubt, go simple… the grid squares make the first one seem too busy.
Banner A
I like A…has a lot more movement. B is “too plain/safe”
Banner B, it's cleaner, flows better, your eye moves across the banner, rather than getting confused on the grid section.
Don't like the grid lines on A, but I find B a bit too simple. And I like the fade of colors better on A. I'd say another round of working on it, losing the grid lines in A and then seeing how to make the design work without them.
I like B because it's clear and simple.
I like A. It's much more dynamic and attention getting.
B is my vote! Cleaner. Where A looks too busy with the grid lines
I like A
B is nice, but there are a lot of wave type logos out there. “A” in more unique. Also with the wave, after you read the name your eye flow of the header and to the right. (unless that is where you want the eye to go)
“A” is more dynamic and unique. Usually I prefer very simple logos, but I like the way this one plays. Also the way the grid line flow, your eyes, after reading the name flow to the grid and the movement of the grid actually bring your eyes back to the name.
Hope that helps you Clay.
A!
Banner A communicates dynamic energy, excitement, communicates that this offer is really something special. B is really static and vanilla.
“A” for sure.
AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
B is brighter – they're both nice but I'd vote for B
I vote A. Tracy may also have to be seated higher than you from now on. Just sayin.
They're both good, but I like B better. It's cleaner, easier to focus on.
I like B better because it's cleaner, and I'm not distracted by the background so I read the title more.
B because it's clean. While A may have more artistic flare about it, the dashed and solid and curved lines detract from the message. B may not be as “energetic” in some senses but it's not so frenetic that the eye doesn't have anywhere to rest. If you want people to focus on the text, definitely B.
Header A is more pleasing to my eye, Clay & Tracy!
I vote for header A.
I pick A – more dynamci!
i vote for B
I like B.
Option A is best.
A – looks more, well, interactive.
I like Banner A with a slight adjustment. Fade the grid more from behind the lettering so that you have a clear blue field and it will rock.
I vote for option A.
I like B better because of the cleaner design, but it looks like the Mozilla Firefox logo (same colors even). Even the “O” circle is reminiscent of the design (although the blue and orange colors are reversed)… I agree with the other reviewers that the grid lines look dated — it reminds me of an early PowerPoint template. I'd go with B, but tweak it so that it's a little less Firefox-y.
They are both nice but I vote for A
B is definitely better because of the cleaner design. I especially like the little flair that is beneath the 'Interactive.” I must say though, I'm kind of hoping Tracy wins.
Header B doesn't make you dizzy and is easier to read.
Definitely B.
A is on the brink of giving me a headache with all the little lines in the background.
A.
B.
I like logo A. But here's what I think — logo A has depth; Logo A is like a 'pulp' publication and logo B is like a “slick” publication — logo A draws you into the design AND the “Offer” —- Logo A gives the eye a reason to hesitate and read the text — logo B is generically slick — it's an visual 'eye-slick' that let's the eye slip past the text, diminishing it and leaving it unnoticed or worse it lets the eye-brain connection categorize the logo under “ignore”— the eye has nothing to grab onto but the text of an advertisement —- Logo B is like one of those bazillion template logos that are all unremarkable — Logo B is like the mass mailer I get in my snail mail box — I see it and throw it away before I even know what it says or who is saying it — i'm tired of a world of slick template logo B ads. Logo A is only a nano-difference better but if I have to choose — I take logo A.
dennis
Option B. A looks too much like your standard generic corporate logo.
B is like riding the wave, whereas A is being trapped by a net that I have to try to escape from.
B is great
B. B feels calmer, clearer, easier to read. My eye wants to pause there. A has so much movement, it feels just a tad jarring or jaggedly. If you want to combine, I liked someone's idea of using A, but clearing out the trail lights in the blue background and keeping the grid lines within the flame colors, maybe using the form of the flame in Design B.
I like the second one the most, looks more pro than the first one.
I like A. It's more dynamic and interesting
A feels more active, which for something that's “interactive” you definitely want. It reminds me of the blurred feel from spinning something around on the end of a rope. B is more static, and it gives me a more relaxed feel, and the yellow looks a bit like a hill to climb, challenges ahead, something along those lines.
I pick A.
A
B looks a bit like what you really wanted has dropped off the bottom of the image
Header B.
I like Header A better
Header A EXCITES more. Hope you guys play nice!!
I like B the best.
Out of the two, I pick B.
I like the simplicity of B yet think it could use a bit more spice. I like the movement and texture in A but overall it's a too confusing. A mixture of the two would be my preference.
I think they are both pretty cheesy. B is marginally less cheesy.
I like “A” better, although I'd get rid of some of the texture stuff around the text (on the left side). I feel the grid evokes a sense of creative potential (go holodeck!) that the swoop just doesn't.
Hey guys,
Bugger all in it I reckon…. but A is slightly more grabby, as it seems to have more 'depth' than the other
Rich
Header A.
Banner A looks like you're offering to interact with my peacock. I vote for B.
I also hope Clay loses, because Tracy is brilliant.
B, definitely!
Header B is much cleaner and would be the best to go with.
Right you are. Tracy IS brilliant.
If the only choice is between these two, I go with B. However, I would extend the orange wave to the end of the banner, at least on the right side. You can still fade it, but it cuts off too abruptly.
The whole concept seems too corporate to me. It looks like something from Microsoft or Firefox, and I might pass it up before reading what it's about, just b/c the colors, lettering, and graphics turn me off. If it was up to me, I would go back to the drawing board. Apologies … I'm not blaming the designer or Clay or Tracy. I'm a designer and I know how these projects go. It's not easy.
Since I don't really know anything about the product, I can't give more specific feedback. If this banner does indeed communicate the intent of the offer, I would definitely use B with the orange wave going all the way to the end of the blue background (retaining a slight fade at the very end).
I hope you end up with something everyone is happy with.
Liz
Header B. Period
Hi Clay
I can see your predicament. It tends to get harder the longer you look!
I was immediately drawn to the second one in preference, although it's not as 'dynamic' as the first one. It's more professional, and stronger in a quieter way because of the coherence of the blue.
However, I would enlarge the font…
Logo B is the one tog ow ith!
B, absolutely.
Header A. But close call. A is a touch busy, but I prefer the colour profile and it is more interesting
I'd go for B
While I generally prefer simple, I prefer A here. B is just a little to, to, “eh.”
Header B for sure
Think A is better for shore.
“A” – it's a no brainer.
Clay, pls say “A” is Tracey's design. I've no desire to be aligned with a bat! Cheers Diana
I vote for A. B looks a bit Mozilla-like…
For me its A…just
Difficult to choose to be honest but I'd go with Header B.
Clay, I'm surprised that a marketer like you just doesn't use split testing to see which one works better in terms of conversions/comments/time on site etc.
My personal favorite is B, but it has NOTHING to do with texture, readability, lines or swoops… From a psychological point of view it is better… Trust me 
The A design has more movement.
B for sure. Much cleaner.
Header A
I like A, it is more dynamic. B feels calm, like a gentle ocean swell.
The actual logo looks exactly the same. As for banners, I like A a tiny bit more!
Clay B is the one but the text needs to be bigger its simple and clean i think that yoiu're trying to do too much with a
B by a country mile.
The lines in A draw the eyes towards the text better.
I'd have made the text bigger I think…but I like A better by a tiny fraction…
I like B!
Definitely A. B is way too bland, way too much empty space hanging out doing nothing around the words.
I have to agree with the commenter who said they both kind of look like refugees from a PowerPoint corporate presentation, though.
I think A sucks less.
I'm more attracted to Banner B, but I vote for whichever one is voted *most* by your Ideal Client Demographic (the type of person who is most likely to buy your products and be transformed by them)!
I like A better. Not sure I'm quite “there” with the font on either of them … it looks a bit, dunno, generic? To me it looks kinda stuck on to the rest of the design rather than being part of it.
I personally have about as much artistic talent as a stone (probably less) so you probably want a professional opinion here.