What do you think of the current MobileRead logo?

[yvanleterrible]

Originally Posted by Steve Jordan

Awful opinionated for a mime, aren't you?

:lock ed::ranting :

[aapezzuto]

Not that I am specifically pushing for it, because I don't know if I like it, but I would like to address some of the criticisms and give a quick recap of some of our ideas...

(see attached images)

• Steve Jordan - proposed a reader being held in a hand, some text to show it was a book, and a neutral set of controls.
• NatCh - blanked the text, and added MobileRead to the edge of the reader, making it apparent to me that the negative space was a problem.
• Aapezzuto(Me) - implied the shape of the "reader" more, removed all apparent interface, and used lines to imply text, mostly focusing on saleability.

to address criticisms:

• Its to obviously an ebook reader - I believe that it is obviously covered in text, as far as i can tell, it might be made of stone or clay.
• It doesn't say mobileread - yep, I see that. So put mobile read above or below it when appropriate.
• This is site is about reading, the logo can/should have words in it - Implying words is more scalable, and anything literary is being associated with mobileread on the whole. Deciding what to put on the device that actually represents this forum would be a lofty task.
• its not "mobile" enough - showing the hand implies that it can be carried
• without text you cant tell what it is for - I can find you Lots of great logos that this is the case with. But in places out of context it will need to have a super or sub text.

Ideas that have been floating around

• keeping the rings
• integrating a binary to text transformation
• designing it so an animated form is possible
• use old vs new theme somehow
• play with font style (like the coca-cola symbol)
• avoid devices that are tied to a specific trend in reading

If I missed anyones suggestion I apologize, i didn't take notes, this is mostly from memory, and I know how flawed mine is some times. Part of our problem is steaming from a lack of a clear and openly agreed upon central goal of the website. It would not surprise me if we remain at an impasse until such a central goal is developed.

[NatCh]

Nice summation, aapezzuto.

Originally Posted by aapezzuto

Part of our problem is steaming from a lack of a clear and openly agreed upon central goal of the website. It would not surprise me if we remain at an impasse until such a central goal is developed.

Well I suppose Alex would have to give the final word on that matter, as it's really his sandbox that we're building castles in.

However, I can offer a summation as to what I see MobileRead as being.

First off, it's a community. One made up of remarkably civil and intelligent (in some cases, very intelligent -- no, I don't mean me) members on the whole -- this has always struck me as the most unique aspect of MobileRead, and I point it out because I think it's one of the defining characteristics of the community.

As far as focus, it's pretty techno-focused, which takes in or touches on most gadgetry at various points, but particularly dwells on things that are related to reading or which affect reading in some way. And also paying particular attention to mobility.

So as I see it, the three boiled down, defining aspects of the community that is MobileRead are Books, Electronics, and Mobility.


The Books and the Mobility seem to stay very constant, the electronics seem to vary according to what's currently becoming available. The reason we have the "thumb" icon now, is that at the time, cell-phones were more the focus of the site, but it's been focused more sharply on reading for some years now. Longer than I've been privileged to be a part of it, anyway.


Other takes on the matter?

[NatCh]

To further muddy the waters, let me suggest another logo variant: A book that is obviously a book (as in not electronic), held in a hand, such as Steve and aapezzuto have depicted, but with an antenna and perhaps the rings to indicate that this plain old books is somehow electronic. The contents of the cover could be chosen to emphasize MobileRead (some presentation of "MR" perhaps), or to further emphasize the joining of old and new, in some way.

I'd draw it, but drawing isn't one of my skills, I'm afraid.

[Oh, Why Not?]

Nice alternative concept NatCh.

[NatCh]

I envision it as kind of a steampunk approach.

[Oh, Why Not?]

Oooops, now there you went by me.

[NatCh]

The idea is to make modern stuff to look like it's made of vintage materials, like a steam-engine. Here's a good sample of it.

[Oh, Why Not?]

Well . . . I guess I'm a minimalist/modernist at heart. But I understand your point, and it could work very well.

[mogui]

An argument has been made against animation for the reason that we could not use it in eBooks. I think we could use a still version of the icon for eBooks and have something interesting for the site.

I envision (light heartedly) an electronic book seen from the back, tilted toward us, as in a reading position. It might have swirling electrons on it or the name Mobileread moving in a circle. Above the book, a pair of eyes oscillating back and forth. Below the eyes, moving lips.

It seems though, that we are reaching a point of summation and decision. There have been a lot of great ideas posted here.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

In light of some of the comments, re: Name legibility, modernity, simplicity, etc... here's one more shot from me.

[mogui]

Steve, there is a three dimensionality there that is barely visible on my monitor because of the light shade. Another color would be good. The idea is appealing.

[Steven Lyle Jordan]

Originally Posted by mogui

Steve, there is a three dimensionality there that is barely visible on my monitor because of the light shade. Another color would be good. The idea is appealing.

I threw it together quickly. Yeah, it could use tweaking... but not tonight, I'm going to bed!

[aapezzuto]

I'm glad I'm not the only one attacking this with the graphical tools. Here is the promised version of the words "mobile read" played with till I could make their shape reflect something. Although not as stylish as my other prime submission, I think this offers all the requirements I have brought up, and should meet most of the concerns I have heard voiced. With my noob rank in number of posts... I'm just hopeing that all this work nets the the mad karma !!! Like before I have posted source with all my markup during work, so that it can be further edited, or perhaps just learned from.

[aapezzuto]

Looking at the posted image I can see so many errors with my perspective warping of the letters, but I learned a lot about style while doing it, and I can promise that if this is a choice people get behind I will make it darn near flawless!