If you’re looking for graphic and source files, see RubyOnRailsMedia.
Discussion on the logo sketches 1
John Hicks has made a few "sketches":http://www.loudthinking.com/share/RubyRails.pdf available. How do you like those?
I think that the monsters in the top are too big and I really don’t like the look of the ‘r’ with the tracks in the bottom. However, the “box” in the bottom looks neat, so maybe just work on what goes in there… — Vincent Foley
I prefer the ‘rails’ in the top as opposed to the bottom ones, I kind of like the feel of the sans-serif font in the top ones, but the ‘a’ and ‘s’ dominate the word. So if the ‘a’ and ‘s’ could be toned down I would prefer that or the all-caps in the bottom middle one. I also like the bottom box and think with some polish and work on what is in it would make for a nice visual identity that could still translate to a one or two color print job. — CalebJaffa
Eeew! 1970 type, really? —Anonymous Designer
I prefer the “mirrored” background of the bottom one, the graphic of the top ones, and the “ruby on rails” of the top right one. Placing the curved graphic on the bottom mirrored background would make a great stand-alone icon. Recognizable and unique. Then dropping “ruby on rails” below it will reinforce the name recognition and its tie to Ruby. — Shane Robinson?
Discussion on the logo sketches 2
John Hicks has continued work on the "sketches (2)":http://www.loudthinking.com/share/RubyRails2.pdf How do you like those?
Hairy Rails? —Anonymous
The one right under “With ‘ruby on’ option” would be my choice. —MichaelSheets
I would suggest a different logo for the actual rails
symbol. How about something that looks more like a “train” track going into the distance.
I would have to agree on that one, I think the actual rails icon looks too puny for a strong framework, maybe it shouldn’t bend? —evl
MeToo? . I’d love to have something like an old stile locomotive somewhat like this
But I think the reason John and David did’nt do this is that this is no fit for a small logo.
—GabrieleRenzi
the os x shiny thing looks always nice. personally i think it would be nice if the logo had a bit more depth on the rails. more something close to his icon designs. not just a monochrome illustration of rails.
i’m totally against some old stile locomotive though. it just looks weird..
—FlorianWeber
Just out of curiosity, why did Sir Hicks rule out the obvious Ruby over ‘vanishing point’ train tracks icon? Too simple? – Beowulf
For some reason I just can’t get used to the “train tracks” look. But maybe it will grow on me. —AustinMoody
It’s not a logo, it’s a scar. —Anonymous
I like the gray version! But we need a colored version too. The rubygradient and OSX-style gradients are interesting. The OSX style has a harmonious shape, but the colors are more pink- and brownish, than ruby. The ruby gradients don’t go that well with the partly rounded silhoutte, like the OSX style does.
I’d like the OSX style gradient more ruby-like or the ruby gradient with the silhouette looking like a ruby. —LauTaarnskov
I’d like the OSX style gradient too.
Prehaps try a cross-section of a peice of rail with a half driven rail spike very close up. The idea would be to create a real sense of action and excitement. Rails is continually evolving. The rails are being laid. The west is opening. You see mood I am after.
The vanishing point could be up and toward left so that rail angles away from the camera. I can even imagine that in a Rockwell Kent sort of style, some part of the man with the sledgehammer would be partial visable in the upper right—seeming to be distant and yet ready to strike the very close view of the spike.
—John-Mason
Just don’t pick the one with the ‘scar’-rails as ‘r’ in ‘rails’ like the one to the far lower right. That just looks riciulous. —Magnus Bodin
I’m almost amazed to admit it, but I don’t like the spotty ‘r’ at all. It doesn’t seem balanced or “special” at all. I usually really like Jon’s work, so it’s nothing personal, but this isn’t special, so it doesn’t suitably match Rails —Justin French
I second Justin’s thoughts. A nice idea but it just looks weird and amateurish. The top designs in the first set were better (except the one with the serif font). They give off a futuristic feel, which is surely what Rails wants to be seen as? – Tim
I have to echo most of the sentiments here. I really dislike the look of the “hairy” rails. The original logo — with the tracks fading into the distance — looked much more elegant and professional. I prefer the “shiny gradient” at the bottom of the first set of graphics, along with the font used for “rails”. I’m not sure if “Ruby on” is officially part of the name of the framework or not. If it can be left off, I think it looks and flows better. If not, I prefer the offset look as shown in the “With ‘ruby on’ option” on the second set of graphics. —Nathan Ladd
That symbol looks more like an ‘f’ to me, making it “fails”, which is not good, right?! — Joe Van Dyk
I have to agree with the others. I really don’t like the spotty/scarified r. I much pefered the top graphic from the first batch. The spotty one tooks terrible to me. I wouldn’t mind seeing the top ones from first batch with a gradient background though. -Kate Rhodes
Well, what can I say? Maybe I should switch professions. His own website http://www.hicksdesign.co.uk is a wonderful example of what he can do, why didn’t the Rails project get the same attention to detail? Was the budget too small for him to put in any effort? Simply Awful - guess you can’t please everyone. Corban Brook?
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I was a bit bored tonight, and came up with these:
-Logotype-
-Logos-
Both are just concepts. (Actually, I don’t really like the logo much at all, but the text is working for me).
Oh, look, new site. Actually, the ruby thing looks a lot better now. Hrm.
— BenStiglitz
