Creative Logo...Website Design to Follow!!!

FONT STYLE: Here are a few sites that have logos with fonts we like. The word CollectionTree should be prominent with either the phrase “Simply a Smarter Solution” or “Simple + Smarter Solution” in smaller text underneath.

http://www.mint.com
http://www.apple.com
http://www.skillsone.com.au
http://www.gmail.com

FONT COLOR: Black and Green or Blue - making Collection and Tree a different color.

ICON COLOR: Black, Grey, Green, Yellow or Blue. Does not need to have all, but a combination at the designer’s discretion.

ICON STYLE: Key factor for User Experience: Innovation, Technology, Software, Commitment, Customer Service.
Web 2.0 style and maybe some 3D effects. The logo will be used on both BLACK and WHITE backgrounds so please submit your design with both styles.

RATINGS:
Here is an overview of how I am rating this contest. If you work gets 3 or less stars it means your work is not what we are looking for.
1 Star - Wrong direction missing the mark.
2 Star - Has some elements we like.
3 Star - Getting closer, may need revisions or a different take on your design.
4 Star - Your design is being considered.
5 Star - You made the final cut!

NOTE: Please read my comments at the bottom of this page. General ideas, comments or new direction will also be mentioned below and specific comments will be added to each designers page.

Collection Tree

We are looking to design the logo for our entire brand. We are an online provider of collection tools, for small business that have past due accounts.

The purpose of this contest is to create a logo that people will easily recognize and remember. We want our logo to convey that we are a well established and professional software company, who is a leader in our field. The logo will be used for business cards, brochures, letterheads, and most important our website.

I will be running another contest for web page design as soon as the logo contest is finished and a winner has been selected. The web page design will be based around the winning logo from this contest.

IMPORTANT:
The logo should be easy to remember, and should have a theme that expresses Innovation, Technology, Software, Commitment, Customer Service. We do not want the “old” institutional/traditional stuff, we want something that says we are the new breed of technology solutions.

We are moving to a Web 2.0 type platform soon, so please read the brief before submitting your entry. I am looking forward to your designs, and good luck to everyone.

- Web 2.0 style, maybe some 3D effects, but has to be usable in black and white formats.
- We would like to see a unique icon.  Tree and Leaf elements are great, but please be original.  other icon shapes maybe around the idea of a decision process with several options or an organizational chart.
- A layered PSD file is preferred, but will also accept AI.
- Font(s) or font name should be included.

- NO Red, brown, teal or pink colors
- No Clipart, must be original
- No Recycled Logos