LET ME TELL YOU ABOUT US:

Kima Labs, Inc. is a new technology startup company. We're creating innovative new technology products for consumers -- both on the Web and as downloadable apps for iPhone and other smartphones.

HERE IS WHAT WE NEED:

We need a logo for our first product, which is just called "Kima." We aren't disclosing publicly yet exactly what Kima is, so the logo needs to be somewhat conceptual.

That said, it's likely that our initial product will involve some kind of barcode scanning that consumers can do from their mobile phones. So, we like the idea of including a barcode in our logo or having our logo somehow suggest barcodes. The barcodes involved are UPC codes. You can see some example UPCs here:

http://images.google.com/images?client=s...

But we're not dead-set on the barcode concept--we're open to beautiful designs from other concepts.

Overall, we want a logo that is fun (not clinical or corporate), but definitely not frivolous or whimsical. Our products will have real utility value (not just toys)--but we will give you that utility in a fun and delightful way.

Last, but probably most important: we want a logo that suggests a polished, *premium* experience. More Amazon than eBay; more Google than Yahoo. More Apple than HP.

OUR TARGET AUDIENCE IS:

Our customers are everyday consumers--but the sort of folks who want to try something new and interesting. The logo should *not* suggest a product only for techies or geeks.

WE LIKE THESE EXAMPLES:

I love the Amazon logo -- a delightful combination of word and and simple graphic (the arrow which just looks a bit like a smile). And the arrow, removed from the word, is still recognizable as Amazon brand.

Also love Google logo -- great use of color as part of brand identity.

A couple other ones we really love: the Ruby on Rails logo and the Engine Yard logo:

http://www.google.com/search?client=safa...

http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&cl...

Those both have beautiful illustration, wonderful color palette, and suggest premium experience.

WE ABSOLUTELY MUST HAVE THIS IN OUR PIECE:

We're looking for great, inspired design & illustration.

The logo should include "Kima" -- not the full company name.