Logo Help for RaceHome.com

[TonyHuntimer]

Hey guys,

I need some help from some friends. I'm going to revamp my website and have some products (besides my books) in mind to offer, but I don't want to do it until I address my biggest obstacle.



Besides needing to update images and videos, I've been needing to change my logo or the lack of a logo. I've been racking my brain for a long time on what to do about it. I've had a couple of people give me ideas for a logo but I'd hate to jump to a decision too fast, since a logo is a big deal. Look at McDonnalds M, Pro-Touring.com's musclecar, Chevrolet's Bowtie, Apple's apple...etc. A logo is a huge impact. It marks a company. I've even had some artists say they would design a logo for me, but it seems they have always been too busy to fit me in as a client.

This is where you guys come in. I know there are hundreds of talented minds here on Pro-Touring.com. Who do you go to for logo ideas or artwork for logos? It's kind of stupid...I'm a talented guy. I should be able to do this myself, but I can't. I'm too close. I need some external influence and help.

Thanks for any input or info to help a brother in need.

Sincerely,
Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com

[TonyL]

Mc Bride. hands down.

Desmond is tooooo busy and expensive.

[zbugger]

Tony, call me. I'll have my brother-in-law draw something up for you. You just have to let me know a little about what you really want in it. Besides, it's what he does for a living.

[TonyL]

And what does "racehome" mean?

home for racing stuff?
Race home? As in a race to get home?

Think about what you want your logo to "say" by implying it. Not by using the words.

Im seeing an engine in the middle of 2 checkered flags in my head.

[zbugger]

Oh yeah, as a plus for my bro-in-law, you can come in and sit with him and help design it yourself. I think we spoke about it before. He's usually got some good ideas. You still got my number? It's worth a shot.

[TonyL]

i was bored.



just got a new photo program. but you get the idea.

[KrisHorton]

I'll second the vote for McBride. He does really nice work on logos. Check out the Lateral-G and Lateral Dynamics logos. Very cool.

[TonyHuntimer]

Thanks Tony & Allen,

The name racehome.com is pretty basic. It's a homepage for car racing stuff. Videos, books, pictures, and links. Even though I have not changed the website in a while... I am still getting an average of 380 first time visitors and almost 2000 page loads a day.

With the right logo and my future plan, I could do something more with my website.

I can't have an image of a Camaro or anything else in the logo to keep it legal for printing and merchandising. Larry is lucky enough to have an artistic version of =wink wink-- a musclecar...even though I'm not sure what kind of a car... wink wink. A musclecar is something I'd like to incorporate since that's mostly what's on my site, but it's not set in stone.

Fresh ideas are welcome. I'd like some more raw ideas before I sit down with an artist.

Thanks guys,
Tony~

[TonyL]

you could do a filmstrip, with racing type images in each cell of film
you could do a start/finish bridge with the site name on it with cars racing underneath.

uhhh. you could put the logo on a generic racecar, and show it from the angle of the camera being mounted low by the back wheel looking right down the side of the car as it corners (racey feel to it,)

I got a million of em.

[woody80z28]

I like to do logo work, I'll do somethin up quick and post it.

Edit: here's a quick idea. I know you're probably not concentrated on just drag racing, but this can be expanded easily without being too complicated.

[TonyHuntimer]

I think it should be something simple. Something easy to get machined onto a valve cover or turned into a sticker.

Do I really need to put the ".com" on the end? Thoughts?

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome

_________________________
Pro-Touring -The cure for the common car.

[TonyHuntimer]

Oooh. That's cool! These are great ideas.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome
____________________
Pro-Touring -The new HYBRID. Performance & Style.

[woody80z28]

Here's a version that would be easy to machine or turn into a sticker... I thinkn the staging lights are still recognizable.

[woody80z28]

You don't really need the .com, but if the logo will be used on anything other than the site it's an easy way to let everyone know the web site address without adding in an awkward looking url.

[DarkBuddha]

A couple general thoughts...

First, definitely include the .com on the logo somehow. I hate it when the company name and the website address aren't the same. But worse than that is when the company doesn't indicate the proper website address at all. Since you're primarily (only?) a web based business, you definitely need the .com .

Second, think about your customer base... your logo can help you target a select group or a broader group based on the imagery you use in the logo. For example, in Woody's logo above, the light tree is really a trigger for guys that drag race specifically, but a checkered flag might be more "universal" in it's imagery. Then again, what about the import crowd??? Do you want their money? What imagery would they find appealing? Most probably don't even know what the hell the yellow-yellow-yellow-green means...

Finally, keep it simple... Macdonalds, Apple, Chevy, Nike, Shell, etc... those logos are dead simple... one simple image, unadorned. That works...

Now, how to incorporate all of this??? Hell if I know... good luck though.

[trapin]

Tony...I've always wondered about the interpretation of "RaceHome".

Does it mean, "The Home For Racing" or "Race On Home" as in "Race Home To The Garage" or something like that?



sorry.....just thinkin' out loud.

[TonyHuntimer]

Tony,

That's a good question. I originally wanted it to be a homepage for all sorts of racing videos and pictures. As with most things it has changed over time, but to me it still remains a homepage for racing and cool car stuff.

Tony Huntimer
RaceHome.com
______________________
Pro-Touring -Better for you than a bowl full of grapenuts.

[Nine Ball]

I designed the LS1TECH logo by making about 10 different ones and letting the members vote on them. They liked the basic ones that make for good decals, just like you mentioned.

Keep is simple. Keep it legible.

[CAMAROBOY69]

Tony H,
Once you decide on a logo and you want some laser cut stainless emblems, keep me in mind.

[vanzuuk1]

As a rule of thumb, a logo shuold look good in black and white, simpler is better.Look at all the big companies, coke, pepsi ford etc.

I really like the xmas tree logo.