Prize Our AI Logo Got Us Started. Pro to Finish It

Logo Design Brief

Design Crowd Brief — Meridian Shoutouts Elevate our flagship logo from a strong start to professional branding. A note from the founder I'll be upfront: I'm not a designer. Everything attached — logo, headers, footer — I created myself with AI tools, and I'm proud of it as a starting point. But I know the difference between a strong start and professional branding, and I'm building a real media business.

That's why I'm here: I want a professional to take this foundation and elevate it — proper vector craft, real scalability, the finish only a designer brings. Treat the attached work as a detailed mood board, not a design to copy. I'm ready to take direction from someone who does this for a living. I'll respect your expertise...

The assignment:
Evolve and elevate We love our current direction — the arched badge, the water tower at golden hour, the heritage lettering, the warm night scene. However, we are not stuck on our current logo. If you see a way to meaningfully improve the direction while keeping its warmth and recognition, show us......we'll listen.

Who we are Meridian Shoutouts is a hyperlocal newsletter serving Meridian, Idaho (pop. ~140,000): community good news, local events, people and business spotlights. Slogan: "You Matter Here." It's the flagship of a family — Meridian Cravings (food & dining) and Happy Tail Shoutouts (pets & rescue) follow, with future city editions planned. You're not refining one logo; you're setting the standard for a growing family.

(Winner gets first shot at the sibling logos.)

Note:

I will attach the rough drafts of the food logo and pet logo so you can see the direction I've been moving in.) Personality: a neighbor who's genuinely glad you're here. Idaho adventure spirit brought home to a friendly suburb — campfire warmth, national-park-badge heritage, golden-hour light, string lights at a community gathering. Premium but approachable; rooted, trustworthy, never slick, never cold.

Not: a tech brand, a coupon flyer, a corporate news outlet, or a mountain-town postcard. Audience:
Meridian families and local-business supporters, ~28–60, who love their town and open a warm weekly email over coffee.

Must-knows The Idaho state shape is part of our identity. Instant eliminations: rivers, bridges, or mountain scenery (that's Boise, not Meridian) permanently off-limits: stock clipart or template badges, cold minimal tech marks. Palette:
Refer to the attached mood board (Meridian Navy #0A1D34, Evergreen #2E5E2F, Tower Gold #D4A32A, Sunset Amber #F28C28, ivory/white, charcoal). Thoughtful refinements welcome. Notes from founder:
Family extensibility would be greatly appreciated, but not required — the structure should adapt when the name, accent color, and imagery swap for the siblings. Even a rough sibling sketch would be nice. (Sibling logos include Meridian Cravings and Happy Tail Shoutouts)

How we'll run this Payment is guaranteed — a winner WILL be chosen. Questions answered fast! If this goes well, we'd love to keep working with the winner on the sibling logos and beyond. No obligation either way — just an honest signal that there's a relationship here, not a one-off. Attached: current logo, brand mood board, three section headers, advertiser footer.