I wanted to play around with the idea of the "I" beam.. so that was my execution. Not sure how successful it is :(

The first one seems to be working the best, but I'm having trouble figuring out what you're trying to say about the company.

I'm not sure.. I think I am trying to say this company is dependable and precise. The company is a family run business.

You're not off to a bad start. Here are some of my thoughts though with what you've shown here:
-Steer away from outlined type. It feels too weak for the strength you want to communicate.
-Make sure all your elements are perfectly aligned. Use guides, grids, rules, etc. Be as precise as you can, because with today's software, it's easy to be.
-You've already done this, but don't worry about color until you come up with a solid mark.
-Stay away from 3-D effects like embossing and drop-shadow.
-Do research.
Google "steel" and flip through the photographs
Go to www.istockphoto.com and do the same thing (stay away from the vector art there though, it may be too cartoony for what you're after)
Go to Wikipedia and read up

Hope some of this helps. Good luck.

penn

Options in the first row are far too delicate for the steel manufacturer. Second versions in 2nd and 3rd lines resemble a computer input field with an I looking like a cursor.

All in all, I'd say the first row has the most potential, but it probably needs to have more weight and presence.

first row, first column. i thought that one had a certain elegance in the shape to the "crest," and i could picture that as a placard welded onto steel. or riveted--i would like to see what 4 small white circles, on in each corner, would look like.

i think steel--rivets. but don't overdo it.

also, with steel, who knows, maybe there's no reason to go color. i don't mind the use of white, grey, and black. however, regardless of color, the value of the two forms, the I and the B bother me. because the I beam is white it stands out most clearly, and i read this as IB--the letter I, the letter B. so try switching their colors.

that might not work tho--seems tricky to make a letter have an I beam without saying I.

Thank you everyone for your critique! I updated my logo. I added some thickness... and some rivets.. Let me know what you think. Do you still see the "I" and the "B"?

I think if you take the rivets out of the middle option and paint the mark in one color, you will have an excellent mark. Rebar is going to be easy to see and it won't be as decorated and fancy compared to how it is now. Then pair it with a larger bolder type (perhaps set it in two lines) and that's it, you got a winner.

PS. Oh, and if you feel like keeping rivets, consider moving them into the whitespace between I's vertical strokes.

I agree that it needs to be one color because splitting it up compromises legibility. I can see a roman numeral two and a 3, or Il3. Stick to one color, or keep each letter completely one color.

I think the rivets could work well, but they're not quite right yet. Maybe use them on the outer corners to rivet the whole logo to the background? Play around.

I'd also try Bolling Steel on two lines because right now, it's too small compared to the mark, and it risks being read as "Boiling Steel" which is, well, just weird. Setting it in all caps might be the problem? Small caps may help, or perhaps all lowercase? It's one of those words that needs precise kerning, too, so once you settle on a layout and/or font, kerning could make you crazy.

Once you're crazy, you'll officially be an experienced designer. :)

Ok, I just re-read your first post and it occurred to me that it's not supposed to read IB, just B, right? If so, you really need to work on making it more cohesive. It read IB so clearly to me that I never even considered it was something else.

The company initials are not an option for obvious reasons. Have you tried exploring shapes that are not based on a letter?

Thank you all for your help!! I really appreciate it.

I have revised my logo, and created some extra ones that are different from the "B". I'm not sure how successful they are. I feel like they are lacking and not really all that sophisticated.

For the "B" Logo I made the letters all one color so it doesn't read I, B. I also moved the rivets to the 4 corners. Let me know what you all think. Thanks again in advance :)

The first one is pretty nice!

I'm not feeling the choice of typeface though. It still feels far too weak for a steel company.
I'd try something like Gotham.
It's not that different from what you have, but it's geometry makes it feel much stronger.

I like the 'IB' mark, but the rivets don't have to have a black dot in the middle. Just leave them as holes in the 'IB'.

I agree about the typeface. Something that looks a little more geometric would work better I think. Try Proxima Nova, Neutraface, Gotham, or Avenir.

- Lex

... or maybe even a Grecian or Slab Serif.

- Lex

Lex - it's not supposed to be IB, it's just B. Does your opinion change now?

I also vote for something like Gotham or Neutraface - perhaps even the new Neutraface Slab: http://www.houseind.com/fonts/neutrafaceslab

What about making the space between the I and the B narrower (maybe half as wide)?

Ross

Oh wow, I was always reading IB too.

Oooo, that Neutraface Slab is nice. Would be perfect for this.

penn

Another I-beam approach
link

i think you should put the rivet inside the negative space of the IB like I:B so it will joint the two elements together who will be seen as one large piece. And that Neutralface is absolutly beautifull you should use it.

I think you should just try making the I beam the left part of the B instead of a distinct element. I have a hunch this would eliminate the I-B problem.

Maybe you can use a typeface which contains the I bar you are looking for, in this case Bell Gothic...

> it’s not supposed to be IB, it’s just B.

Why not just remove the I then, and apply the same styling to the left part of the B ? It may end up looking somewhat too simple, but I think it is at least worth a try.

In my experience it's best to stick to just one idea and make that as strong and recognizable as possible. I'm not sure it fits with your concept, and client but have you tried making the "holes" in the B look like a bolt? I think a hexagon shape would me more recognicable then a circular rivet.