up vote 8 down vote favorite
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One of the tasks that we must complete in the beta is answering the 7 essential meta questions. I'm creating these meta questions here for us to work on.

We should begin collecting ideas and suggestions for a site logo. Create and upload your suggestions as answers, and let the voting begin!

Make sure your logo suggestion works well in 16x16 because it must also be recognizable in the browser's favorite/bookmark icon (favicon). Bigger sizes don't have to be exactly identical but could include additional details. However, the logo should basically be the same at all sizes.

The highest voted answers would be the prime candidate. I guess the final decision could be made by the moderators or in an announced chat meeting, but I don't know.

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As a toddler's parent, my immediate icon idea is a pacifier, but I'm not going to suggest that because it's too age-specific. Then again, any kind of toy is also rather age-specific. I also think that building an icon of several objects won't work because it will be cluttered and not self-explanatory, and won't be recognizable at 16x16 pixels. This is challenging! – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Apr 8 '11 at 14:14
I just looked into Google's image search for inspiration, searching for "growing up". There are many neat images among the noise! Other search words would be just as interesting I'm sure. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Apr 9 '11 at 6:29

9 Answers

up vote 8 down vote

Could we somehow make the logo look like nested outlined people (for lack of a better description, like a teenager standing behind a middle schooler behind a primary schooler behind a toddler behind a baby, then have our theme continue with the 'ages and stages' idea: a few baby things, then further down some toys, then something teenagery, then somebody in a cap and gown...?

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Good concept idea! I like every bit except the cap and gown; that's too localized. I had to think for a while to realize you meant graduation. Gown sounded more like hospital to me... – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Apr 8 '11 at 21:47
@torbengb Thanks for the heads-up, I had no idea that wasn't fairly universal! – HedgeMage Apr 8 '11 at 22:00
sounds like a good idea, but a stretch for 16x16 pixels. – David Apr 17 '11 at 5:42
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@David I'm not a graphics person, but for the mini-icon could we do a big stick figure holding hands with a small one? – HedgeMage Apr 17 '11 at 17:18
@hedge that sounds good. Someone should post a mockup. Color ideas? – David Apr 17 '11 at 21:19
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@David Avoid the annoyingly stereotypical pink-and-blue or baby's room pastels and I'll be happy. – HedgeMage Apr 18 '11 at 1:00
up vote 8 down vote

Some common traffic signs could also be relevant, although I admit there are regional differences that might make a single choice hard.

pedestrian walkway

caution: children

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I like how they are carrying briefcases, or are those iPads? – Paul Cline Jun 21 '11 at 21:04
LOL! I think they're supposed to be school bags. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Jun 22 '11 at 5:32
up vote 3 down vote

For the logo

I like the idea of hand-holding; a little hand in a big hand. I have no idea if this can work as a 16*16 favicon.

I also like ideas above of 'nested dolls' or outlines parent and child.

For the site 'look and feel'

Things I think of when I think "parents; children; families" -

  • baby blue and baby pink
  • alphabet blocks
  • Gold Stars for good effort
  • crayons, finger painting, pasta art, etc
  • feeding bottles & dummies / pacifiers
  • teddy bears
  • "onesies" / baby grows

Some of these would be good fits for aspects of the site design. EG: For the green accepted answer tick check a chunky crayon mark would be nice. It's a little bit similar to the sketch / draft look of the present layout, but other elements will be very different, so I don't think it'd be too much of a problem.

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I like the idea of using everyday items as graphical elements. We should also include items from everyday life with older kids. – Torben Gundtofte-Bruun♦ Sep 26 '11 at 13:27
up vote 2 down vote

Building on HedgeMage's good idea, how about a stylized logo based on the Russian babushka dolls-within-dolls? (a.k.a. matryoshka dolls)

The nesting feature of these could be like the outlines that HedgeMage suggested.

enter image description here

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up vote 2 down vote

I think one fairly universal small ritual is measuring the children's height. That would make for an empathic logo.

enter image description here

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up vote 1 down vote

There is an ad for this site running now which I think is fairly cute:

enter image description here

I'm not sure where this came from or who designed it, but it's cute. Very warm.

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up vote -1 down vote

As for color choice and style, I think something like Flintstones would be good inspiration.
It's a kind of sketchy look, but not with pastels and baby colors, yet playful and imaginative.

enter image description here

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up vote -1 down vote

The tags could be nappy-safety pins?

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We're already fighting the impression that this site is only for parents of babies and toddlers. Baby-centric styling can only increase the problem. – HedgeMage Sep 30 '11 at 20:09
up vote -3 down vote

Perhaps a 60's flower-power theme? I wasn't around at the time, but to me it means a laid-back, open-minded, and relaxed atmosphere, along with bright and cheerful colors. (We should probably avoid elements like LSD and pot, though!)

I'm just brainstorming here, so feel free to edit as you like, or to shoot it down with counterarguments :)

enter image description here enter image description here

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