New 'MoneySavingExpert Charity' Logo contest

MSE_Martin

What’s it about?

We’re close to launching the new MoneySavingExpert.com charity fund, which aims to “work towards eliminating consumer and debt illiteracy”. And we need you to design a logo to help.

What to do?

Simply design your logo to go on the charity's website and headed paper and send it to (preferably as a jpeg) [EMAIL="charity@moneysavingexpert.com"]charity@moneysavingexpert.com[/EMAIL] before the end of August. As it's for charity there’s no big prize, but a bottle of champagne, some huge thanks, and a couple of signed copies of m’books if that helps?

What’s the brief?

It’s open, it's creative. We want something that is slightly different to the site itself and gets the message across. It needs to look corporatish but not too daunting. Read the About the Charity note below for inspiration.

Martin

About the Charity
This is a very rough draft of the note for the new charity

The UK has a massive problem with consumer and debt illiteracy. Companies spend billions on advertising, marketing and teaching their staff to sell – yet we get no buyers training. The UK is in debt crisis, a whole generation is in debt up to their ears. The MoneySavingExpert Charity Fund is designed to try and help break that cycle of debt.

Making the right choice involves information and understanding; to do that we need consumer education and support, enabling people to know what choices are available to them and how to make the right choice to their circumstances. The Charity will support eligible individuals and groups who want to help eradicate this illiteracy through self development, education or innovative projects.

The money will come from two areas, a donation of over £100,000 a year is likely from MoneySavingExpert.com and Martin Lewis’ profit from books like Thrifty ways and there will be the ability for site users to donate if they’d like to as well. All these monies will go directly to the beneficiaries. Any salary costs for staff to run the charity will be met by a separate personal donation from Martin.


UPDATE NOTE 1 NOV 2007


Hi folks,

We have a winner. Thank your for the huge number of replies. It was hotly contested.... and the trustees were far from unananimous as there were so many great entries. In the end we've gone for something very simple and pure (after many discussions)...



Thank you so much to all who entered.... and champagne willl be flinging its way on its way to the winner

We now have an official charity number and the money sitting in there are are starting to organise.

Martin

Redbull_UK

will the name be moneysavingexpertcharity.com ? or something simpler ?

MSE_Martin

The name of the website the msecharity however... we want to have teh words MoneySavingExpert.com charity fund in there - though the logo could just be mse charity

echinacea_2

Hi Martin,

What format do you want this logo and letterhead to be made, i.e. gif/jpg/pdf?

Is there any particular file size or resolution you are after, will screen resolution be enough for start?

Cheers..

rs8220

I sent a logo to the email address above but it was undelivered due to invalid recipient. The returned email said to contact <postmaster>.

MSE_Martin

I'm getting the email checked now - preferably as a Jpeg would be wonderful

telephone_man

Im getting my crayons and paper out as we speak.:D

winnertakesall

Interesting way of saving money...Designers throw their arms up at 'consumer' attempts. A well designed identity system or branding can do a lot more to highlight a charity in a crowded market place than amateurish attempts, and therefore attract more donations. One only has to look at the 'amateur' attempts at the olympic logo which were arguably a darn site worse than the official atempt! Designers have years of experience of why and what works. As usual most people think they're experts. Well they're not - Im no expert on money, thats why I come here - for the expertise! It would be better to approach design companies for a spot of pro bono work or approach design companies with the competition. They love this stuff. Just because you're launching a charity doesn't mean it shouldn't be slick and impactful. I think the competition is doing it a diservice. PS I'm not a designer and just my tuppence worth.

Badger_Lady

winnertakesall wrote:

A well designed identity system or branding can do a lot more to highlight a charity in a crowded market place than amateurish attempts

I'm sure there are a number of graphic designers on this forum who will enter the competition, and the charity will have the benefit of choosing the best logo from all entries... can't see your problem, I'm afraid!

And everyone here cares about the charity's cause and has a genuine passion to help. I'll be entering - thanks Martin!

winnertakesall

I'm just raising a concern. If you needed a lawyer you wouldnt ask if any one wanted a go at defending you in court. I've seen the 'logo competition' various times, various companies and without a proper brief and pitching from whoever designs it, logos unfit for purpose usually get choosen. Because PCs are ubiquitous these days anyone with photoshop can have a go. But has anyone thought that the logo might need to be printed? It's a charity - so cost of printing b/w over colour is favourable. So will the logo work in one colour..? not trying to be negative and I hope the competition is fruitful - but always worth some devils advocacy...

winnertakesall

PS Martin does say the logo is to go on headed paper so I think the cost saving one colour or black logo suggestion is valid. It is a legal requirement to have headed paper with the charities details on it so this will be a cost.