My initial impressions; I couldn't tell that was a person in the background, a little too vague with just a circle on top of a box. Also, is there a reason for the green "o" at the end of "cresco?" Conceptually, is there a better symbol or group of symbols that will more effectively communicate these sustainable habits? I see soooo many leaves and the color green on all these eco-friendly, sustainable this-and-that logos that they all start to melt together. Green noise, if you will.

Again, just an initial impression, and I'm very interested to see if anyone has ideas regarding alternative ways to communicate the whole "green" concept.

It's a start, and it shows you're thinking which is a great start.

While I agree about the greenwashing/use of leaves is done to death, I'm going to leave that.

What you've got just isn't friendly in any way. Sustainability (in this capacity) is about people making a difference, changing the way they behave, consume and ultimately their impact on the environment.

The mark you currently has feels totally sterile and clinical.

Sure lowercase letters can (in general) give the impression of a more relaxed and casual organisation ... but type choice still affects the response - so pay attention.

We say it over and over, but we can't say it enough. Sketch your ideas (with pen and paper) new avenues will pop up, they always do. Develop the idea and go from there.

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Paul Ducco
Graphic Designer - Melbourne

visually, the green "o" is receding a bit, and appearing to be smaller than the black "cresc". I think you may need to make it a bit bigger so that it visually appears to be the same size.

Recently I read that blue is the new green. And considering the Earth is mostly water there is a bit of sense to that. I do agree that the mark is sterile looking, I'd like to see it morph into something more organic. To me the person and leaves don't necessarily say -energy saving -recycling -sustainable transport, they could just as easily represent a landscaper. I'm with Paul get some paper and start sketching, and a good observation by Natalie, you may want to tweak the size of the "o"

The Honda Insight logo comes to mind.

Thanks everybody for the suggestions :)
here are some sketches I made before and after posting here.

I'm finding really hard to find an effective, and possibly ''unseen'' way to convey the idea of sustainable development .
As Coe said, there's a lot of ''green noise'' around, and searching in books and on the internet for inspiration isn't really helpful, it just makes you think that EVERYTHING has been already thought of. Are there really so many green companies out there? :D

The concept of my icon isn't groundbreaking, but I can't focus just in one of the areas of the project (energy/transport/recycling). the job would be easier if I could concentrate in only one of them, but I would leave the other 2 out.

Anyway I tried to fix it to make it look more like a person
See here: http://img291.imageshack.us/img291/6852/picture3qea.jpg

Would you suggest to walk away from it and pursue some other idea from the sketches?
Maybe something more typographic as a green O / O as a leave... etc?

I think it might be worthwhile to try approaching this one from a different angle. For a less corporate, more natural feel, consider doing something less geometric/rigid. Take a look at the Legacy Timber logo on Tungsten's portfolio. I think there is potential in exploring this type of stylistic route.

Thoughts? :\

Hmm, you might want to avoid evoking this (or not):
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BDSM_Emblem
:->

…apart from that though: I think it's quite interesting graphically,
but I get a different "motion" impression from it than "growing" –
it seems to be rotating clockwise in a vortex kind of way.
Not sure that's good/intended.

I've never ever seen that symbol, I'm a good guy :)
I don't think the resemblance is a problem - since they have extremely different targets and deal with different matters :)

I know it doesn't look like it's growing from the leaves, but also I don't think that it HAS to look like it is.
That was my first idea, but then playing around with other sketches I came out with this, which shows man and nature as different beings, and also as a whole - a visual metaphore for sustainable development.

Makes sense?

I'm sorry for my bad english, I hope you understood what I'm trying to say :)

I like the new logo-- but as altaira said, I see a rotating motion... I really do like how the three green 'parts' are leaves, though.

In your sketches, I also see you have arrows on the end of the 'e' ... that's a really appealing idea to me-- perhaps you could work those in on the 'e' like in the second sketch you posted, or even have them on the 's' instead of the 'e'.

--
\\\FrozenAgain || deviantART //

I like the concept. Very cool.

I'd like to see the leaves look a little more organic, but otherwise I like it.

- Lex

i totally agree with frozenpandaman, the e with arrows on your sketch is very powerfull, you should also look that way.
But i like the new logo anyway. i like the motion make me think of life cycles.

I really like the latest logo, I think a bit of tweaking is in order with the leaves but it's a strong concept and I don't think there's anything wrong with the rotating look...recycling. I think the type should be softer and more organic...currently it isn't doing much for me.

I'm glad most of you liked the new logo, but unfortunately I had to submit it before June 19th so that was my entry for the school-contest.
Although I recognize that both the leaves and the type might benefit with some tweaking, so, just for design's sake, HOW would you have achieved a more organic look with the leaves, and what font(s) would you have used for the text? :-)

Oh, about the e with arrows... it's a concept i didn't develop because that was something I saw between the sketches of a classmates of mine for another green logo (this time a school assignment) and I would have felt like an idea-thief ;)

Hi Typophiles :)
My logo was awarded the first prize in the school competition, and is currently used by the Cresco no profit organization.
I would like to thanks all the users which contributed in making my design progress with their criticism.

This is how it looks like at the end, after a direct confrontation with the client.
• http://img175.imageshack.us/img175/7505/picture3q.jpg
Do you think the type got (at least a little bit) better?

Also, I would like to hear some suggestions about another version of the logo they asked me to design for them.
The text they require is "isola cresco" (cresco island) and it's like a ''medal'' they would give to cities which are parts of the project.
They want to retain the same graphic symbol but they were thinking of having the text running around in a circle.
I don't think it would work, but I dont think either that having the same symbol and a different text would work.
I fear it would only create confusion with the main logo, especially because on its first period.
What do you think?

Congrats on the reward.

"What do you think?"

I think clients that get something for free tend to be the pickiest clients. ;o)

The words are too short in order to run around the symbol in a satisfying manner.

Congratulations on 'winning'.

My thoughts are it will date quite quickly (requiring an update). But...hopefully that means you get the follow up work too.

"I think clients that get something for free tend to be the pickiest clients. ;o)"

Amen.