AndyMark - Super Shifter gearbox logo design contest

[Andy Baker]

ChiefDelphi community:

Mark and I at AndyMark are finishing up the development of a new shifting gearbox. Our plan is to have it available to be seen at IRI (July 20-21), and ready for sale this coming fall. It has some new features, including an added external shaft with a reduced speed for direct drive applications, an encoder, and fully-enclosed sides. Each gearbox could be swapped between pneumatic or servo shifting without buying any new parts.

Essentially, we have considered many improvements and implemented most of them.

We're calling this gearbox the "Super Shifter".

So, we need some help. Many of you are better at graphic design that we are. We need a logo for this Super Shifter. We're willing to pay for a design that we choose and use. Make a design that does not infringe on someone else's trademark, and post it on this thread (or just send it to us).

We are open for any sort of design. You may want to check out our AndyMark website for a start, regarding our logo and color scheme.

We will pick one design, and buy hi-res versions from the designer for $100.

<edit: timeframe: a design will be picked by July 13th>

Sincerely,
Andy Baker

ps... For those who have purchased our AM Shifters (and all versions): We will still be selling all of the current Shifting gearboxes (AM Shifter, AM Shifter Gen.2, AM Servo Shifter), and continuing to support those designs. Also, we will be offering an AM Servo Shifter of the Gen. 1 design.

[Rosiebotboss]

How about a pair of shifters for the 2008 season instead of $100???

[Michelle Celio]

What will be the general purpose use of this logo? Will it be for advertising, use on the product etc. What size do you consider hi-res since it is always easier to make smaller than to make bigger when it comes to imaging. What do you want included with the logo things such as Company Name (AndyMark) Product Name (Super Shifter) maybe even pictures of the product if it is going to be used for marketing? Some more information on what you are looking for could be quite helpful.

[MrForbes]

I think the name has already been taken....

[Billfred]

I've got three questions, beyond Michelle's:

1) Is vector art required, or will hi-res raster images do?
2) Is there any limitation on number of colors?
3) What file formats will you accept?

--Billfred

[JaneYoung]

I'm wondering if the questions that Michelle and Billfred are asking wouldn't make a good white paper to have available for someone who would like some work done like Andy has requested. Good stuff.

[Andy Baker]

Originally Posted by Rosiebotboss

How about a pair of shifters for the 2008 season instead of $100???

A guy can dream.

Originally Posted by Michelle Celio

What will be the general purpose use of this logo? Will it be for advertising, use on the product etc. What size do you consider hi-res since it is always easier to make smaller than to make bigger when it comes to imaging. What do you want included with the logo things such as Company Name (AndyMark) Product Name (Super Shifter) maybe even pictures of the product if it is going to be used for marketing? Some more information on what you are looking for could be quite helpful.

The logo will definitely go on the website, and will be made into stickers that will be placed on the product. It may even be put onto a t-shirt. The winner would also get a couple of t-shirts and a few stickers.

We don't need the product picture in the logo, just the name. This is not a flyer. Maybe the AndyMark logo also, but I don't want to constrain you to that.

I am not sure what sort of resolution we need at this point (I need to investigate that). And, for us to pick a winner, a high resolution version is not needed.

Originally Posted by squirrel

I think the name has already been taken....

Good point, Jim. We should probably call it "AM Super Shifter", with a nickname of "Super Shifter" for short. Yeah, that works.

Originally Posted by Billfred

I've got three questions, beyond Michelle's:

1) Is vector art required, or will hi-res raster images do?
2) Is there any limitation on number of colors?
3) What file formats will you accept?

--Billfred

1) Vector art would be nice, but I am open for other options.
2) Go crazy.
3) Formats - initially, any is fine (jpg, gif, bmp) for evaluation. Once we pick a winner, that may need to be more specific. My "sticker guy" likes vector art.

Andy

[MrForbes]

The little R with a circle around it gives Hurst (or whoever owns them now) a good chance of winning a lawsuit against you if they feel the need to file one. They still sell the Super Shifter 3. Anyone who was into drag racing in the 70s knows the brand name well....

[Jeremiah Johnson]

"Supa' Shifter", anyone?

[kramarczyk]

Originally Posted by squirrel

The little R with a circle around it gives Hurst (or whoever owns them now) a good chance of winning a lawsuit against you if they feel the need to file one. They still sell the Super Shifter 3. Anyone who was into drag racing in the 70s knows the brand name well....

Looks like the Hurst trademark has expired... Hurst only has this one (Reg # 2442587 - http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield...=h1lbsr.8.1)in the US Patent and Trademark Office Database...
Although there is a "Super Shifter" entry to BOB'S SPACE RACERS, INC. (Reg # 1689139 - http://tess2.uspto.gov/bin/showfield...e=h1lbsr.9.19), but it appears to have expired in March 2003.
Looks like you're in the clear.

'course I kind of like "Supa' Shifter"

[MrForbes]

well that's nice to know! I still think you need a logo that shows the heritage of the "Super Shifter" name...I wonder if any of these ideas could be incorporated?

[Michelle Celio]

Is there anyway we can get the the font/font name used on the AndyMark website for the AndyMark name?

[Jaine Perotti]

Originally Posted by Andy Baker

The logo will definitely go on the website, and will be made into stickers that will be placed on the product. It may even be put onto a t-shirt. The winner would also get a couple of t-shirts and a few stickers.

How, exactly, will the logo be used on the website? I don't see any individual logos (apart from the AM one) on any of your other products. Do you think it may be placed below the image of the product (as in this photo), or will it be similar to a banner ad, located at the top of the page? Is there a particular shape or aspect ratio you are looking for? Does it matter whether the logo is round, square, or long and rectangular?

Sorry to bug you with nitpicky questions, but size and usage makes a huge difference when you are trying to come up with a design. A logo that will be small (i.e. a little badge/sticker on the product) needs to look good small - simple and graphic. A logo that will be used in a large size can afford to be more detailed.

Thanks,
Jaine

[Tim Baird]

I need to get out more often...

[Dan Richardson]

LoL you guys should do some strategic marketing with the producers of the Transformers! Both are SUPER SHIFTERS! Maybe the product can shift into a crime fighting robot the likes of which the world has never seen!!!!