Developer/designer needs smart typographic logo

blueglobal

I am a software professional with a love for graphic design (doing web development among other things) and am looking to polish my brand through a logo and a new website. You know the story of the cobbler who has no shoes? That's me, I'm the cobbler... I am always focused on my clients' needs, and I'm left with very little time to take care of my own.

I am going to create the website myself, but I need your help with my logo. I was considering designing my own logo as well, but I just recently came across 99designs and was blown away by how good the designers here are. Must have been providence. I would probably do a decent job with a stock logo, but I definitely wouldn’t be able to come anywhere close to you, talented people. So I decided to entrust this to you, and I am hoping you can help me differentiate myself from the gazillion other consulting firms out there. I will wait for the logo to be finalized, than design the website around it. I am also considering enlisting your help in the future with clients' logos.

NOTE: I am using a reverse rating system, please see my RATING SYSTEM notes on 8/30/2010 in the public comments area for details.

My target clients are typically small to mid size professional organizations. They are mostly corporate types, and they tend to relate better to images on the professional, established, conservative side. My personal taste is more on the contemporary, stylized, minimalist or simple sophistication side. So I will need to find a balance between the two. But if I am to choose, I'll go with the latter.

OVERALL ATTRIBUTES
Smart, simple, memorable, distinctive, fresh, contemporary, catchy. Not too edgy or too Web 2.0 because I’m afraid it’s going to look dated tomorrow. I would prefer somewhat of a clever but timeless look with an emphasis on typography. Logo is primarily for website use, and business cards.

GRAPHICAL APPEARANCE
I prefer a horizontal layout overall because it fits better in a website header. The name blueglobal can be either uppercase, lowercase, or capitalized as BlueGlobal. I prefer sans-serif but I am open to other typefaces as well. An icon next to the text would be great, but not absolutely necessary. If using an icon, some circular element would be appropriate, and/or some kind of treatment on the letters b and g incorporated in the icon.

COLORS
I would like the color blue incorporated into the logo. I prefer a two-color combination, but color gradients are welcome.

FINAL DELIVERABLE
I need the logo source file in eps vector format on transparent background, grouped and layered as applicable. Both RGB and CMYK. I also need the same in black on white or transparent background. Don’t worry about jpg or other formats, I can generate them myself.

That’s it for now. I wouldn’t want to confine your creativity with too many requirements. Many thanks in advance for considering entering my contest. I'm very excited and can’t wait to see your bright ideas!

Roxanne