Call for an official Mozilla Sunbird theme

[mostafah]

To clarify, nobody has actually been chosen. But it seems we will be using a logo designed by MarkCarson and/or Jeff Hottinger unless someone else steps into the competiton and for that its getting a bit late.

[markcarson]

Simplified version of "real" sunbird logo - optimized for icon size images:

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBirdDial-Simple-48.png"> 48x48
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBirdDial-Simple-32.png"> 32x32
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBirdDial-Simple-24.png"> 24x24
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBirdDial-Simple-16.png"> 16x16

Compare to detailed original (200x200):

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBirdDial-200x200.png">

Again, I'm not pushing this, just more alternatives for consideration. And I guess the answer is, yes, we can have recognizable icons even at 16x16 if we are carefull.

[markcarson]

Icon size optimized version of my "original" Sunbird logo:

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBird-4-Simple-48.png"> 48x48
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBird-4-Simple-32.png"> 32x32
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBird-4-Simple-24.png"> 24x24
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBird-4-Simple-16.png"> 16x16

Compare to original (200x200)

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/SunBird-4-200x200.png">

[FlashBanG]

First off, I 'll go ahead and cast my vote for the "original" sunbird logo (The one above my post, with the bird wrapped around the calendar).

Regarding the icon sizes, the 32 x 32 and downwards (24 x 24 and 16 x 16) look better (more recognizable), but the 48 x 48 looks kinda weird..

Somehow, it doesnt have the "bright and friendly" look that the Fx and Tb icons (and the original sunbird icon at large size) has..

I think when sizing it down, somehow, the bright colors kinda got hidden by the black outlines, making it a little gloomy..

Would it be possible to make the black lines in the smaller icons less distinct? I understand you made the black lines that way to show an outline at smaller sizes, rather than just a bunch of mixed up colors (if i'm not mistaken)

Just my thoughts :-)

[markcarson]

Actually the 48x48 was intentionally too heavy on the line width. It was made as a basis for the smaller sizes (which were resampled down from the 48x48 image). The "detailed"/original version of the 48x48 does look better. The point of this exercise was to see if reducing detail and thickening outlines would improve the 32, 24, and especially the 16 pixel icon. Overall I think it does. I may try a less extreme outline width/color.

Thanks for the feedback FlashBanG.

And I hate to admitt it, but I'm working on one more logo. Way to early to post tho.

[markcarson]

Not finished, but an early look at another logo idea (actually using lots of the suggestions from this forum over the past two weeks):

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-200x200.png"> 200x200
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-48x48.png"> 48x48
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-32x32.png"> 32x32 (not optimized for size)
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-24x24.png"> 24x24 (not optimized for size)
<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-16x16.png"> 16x16 (not optimized for size)

The head needs to move a bit, the body is just roughed in, etc. but the idea presents (upward wings and clock) itself.

[Chris Cook]

Not finished, but an early look at another logo idea (actually using lots of the suggestions from this forum over the past two weeks):

<img src="http://markcarson.com/images/Sunbird-5-48x48.png"> 48x48

I think the clock is more workable for an icon than a calendar (though perhaps no better or worse for a full size logo). However, that bird looks tortured with it's wings turned up like that.

[sirchode]

I like this latest rendition, it's refreshing. I'd have to agree with Chris about the wings. What would it look like if the foremost wing blended into the torso rather than being outlined?

And what about if the bird's head were upturned a bit more, more or less in the style of the quintessential Phoenix rising from the... whatever it rises from.

Looking at it a bit closer, it looks like you took the profile of a bird and made a feather-ish background, so maybe turning the bird a bit more toward the viewer and detailing the rear wing a little more?

I don't mean to sound too critical. Like I said, I really like what you've come up with and I see potential. I realize you're not dealing with a 3D wireframe, so I apologize if my comments make it sound a bit easier than it really is.

[sirchode]

I also happen to think 10:10 is a great time to show on analog clocks for display purposes.

I'll shut up now :)

[chrisw73]

Another Logo idea:

The sunbird is tiny and hummingbird-like, right. I have im mind a huge Calendar (in isometric perspective, just like in MarkCarsons first logo draft) with a tiny sunbird sweeping over it (facing it), as if it wants to enter dates with it's bill.

This wont be usable for an icon of course, because the sunbird would be too tiny, so I'd use the calendar OR the sunbird for the icon.

The synbird facing the calendar would nicely match the Firefox logo, for the Firefox is facing away from the spectator, too!

If I find the time, I'll make a sketch and upload it somewhere the next days...

Greez,
Chris

[Mil]

Hey, thought I'd throw my .02 into the mix. I think the logo is definately moving in the right direction, but I think the biggest stumbling block at the moment is the colour palette being used. Generally speaking both Xp and OS/X, feasibly the two biggest markets for Sunbird, use a much more saturated palette that what is being pushed for the logo currently.

That particular shade of yellow and its graduation looks very out place when placed next to other two logos. Maybe if you just bumped up the saturation a bit and changed the outlining at little, as that's really breaking up the image as the moment. Here's a thrown together example:



I also think the calendar is too strong at the moment. I think it's a good idea, it just needs to be iconified a little, dumbed down. *shrug*

[suslik]

Done in Illustrator from scratch. If someone approves of the idea, will continue working on it.

The *.ai is available upon request (231KB)

BTW, the best way to contact me, is to post in this forum. dotsa@hotmail.com is a black hole.

[kesla]

Done in Illustrator from scratch. If someone approves of the idea, will continue working on it.

The *.ai is available upon request (231KB)

BTW, the best way to contact me, is to post in this forum. dotsa@hotmail.com is a black hole.

I like the idea, but I don't really like the look of it...
It would be perfect with the yellow brid from markCarsons first logo... and also, I don't quite like the clock... It think it's kinda ugly... But that's only my opinion.
I do like the idea, think it's best so far.

How does the icons look in smaller sizes?

[FlashBanG]

The original sunbird icon was actually my favorite, until i saw it side by side with the thunderbird icon.. It actually looks too similar when you look at them together.. Kind of like all that's changed is the color, because in smaller sizes, you cant tell the difference between the envelope and the calendar (almost).

I'm gonna be finicky and throw my support behind the newest version of the sunbird icon. I like the Clock, and the head of the sunbird, but would it be possible to:

1) Match the colors of this icon to the original a little more? Somehow, this one doesnt seem as 3-D like as the icons above.. Perhaps using gradients would help? (i dunno, just a guess.. i'm not an artist, as you can see )

2) I also agree with the other 2 posters saying that the wings look kinda weird.. Somewhat unnatural.. Other than the bird's head, the wings dont seem to indicate that they're wrapping around.. Looks somewhat like a yin-yang. I like Kelsa's wings.. Perhaps using something like that?




Would it be possible to stress the bird's shape a little more?


Anyway, I also must say that the clock is more recognizable at smaller sizes, and adds some simplicity to the icon (which is good). The calendar, while looking good at larger sizes, did was not indicative of it's function at smaller sizes. I think with a little work on this, it could be the one (i know i've said that before, but hey.. this is a gut feeling ;) )


Great job to all involved :-)

[Chris Cook]

I really like what you've done with the clock. The face has a bit of "shape" to it (could use a little more) but perhaps the clock should be rotated a bit like the axis used in the TB icon? Also the clock internals are a bit too fancy and draw attenion away from the bird and will probably not scale down that well. Perhaps a simpler set of hands and losing the date display (as unfortunate a loss as that would be) would be better.

The sun-ray idea is also good and "maybe" it could be kept in the logo but removed in the icon, like you've shown?

It looks like you've compromised with the bird by using a real sunbird but with similar colors used by the other logos. I'd like to see the bird from a more interesting perspective, similar to the fox which is much less physical since it is encircling the globe and the tail fades away. Perhaps have the bird flying up around the clock or something.

Also, I'd like to see more contrast between the clock and the bird. Why not try some really bright and saturated versions of the real sunbird colors? That would make a contrast, though perhaps others will disagree with me.

This logo has a lot of potential.