My submission to your logo contest is attached. I'd like to take a few moments to discuss the various included formats and their use, as well as my thoughts regarding the design.
An example of each mark can be seen in the tarsnap-overview.png file. The attached archives, "bitmaps" and "vectors," each contain a single version of these six marks in the so-named format. I've tried to select logical filenames to express these versions at a glance, but a quick comparison should eliminate any concerns caused by my naming convention.
The bitmaps have been encoded in PNG format, at 300ppi and ~1000px or greater. These settings should serve the dual purpose of allowing you to utilize the files for both the web and in print. To manipulate the vectors, which have been encoded using the Inkscape SVG format, you'll first need to install Inkscape which is free software.
To generate PNGs on-demand from the vectors, first open the desired SVG file in Inkscape. With the file opened, navigate to File > Export Bitmap... which will popup a dialog. Within this dialog, first select "Drawing" as the **Export Area**, and then, within the **Bitmap Size** area, specify either the width or height you'd like the final image to be (you need only define one; the other will automatically constrain itself.) To finish, click the "Browse" button to define where you'd like to save the file and then click "Export."
This can be done with any of the SVG files and will create transparent PNG images at 72ppi.
As regards design, my thought process is as follows:
Your goals were rather clear, and I'm glad that you defined terms which you'd like to be associated with the mark. To that end, I sought a subdued solution, minimally colored, which expressed the themes of your service. A bold, slab-serif typeface gave the mark the grounded, serious look that I believe you're after while also providing an interesting framework for additional elements.
I decided to base these additional elements around the "a" and "p" letters because there they were 1) the most visually balanced and 2) lended visual action to the verbal "snap" action. What's more, the forms of "a" and "p" seemed to suggest brackets: another metaphor for "snap." To clarify the brackets, you can see that the right hand side of "p"'s foot has been removed in the full mark.
Brackets also suggest the form of a square and onto this suggestion I added elements indicative of a lock. These elements establish the mark as one regarding security, safety and privacy. You may also notice that the keyhole is a departure from the standard - it is in fact a throwback to old paper floppies. This touch adds a subtle "data" connotation to the lock.
Finally, and perhaps most obviously, we see that the additional elements have been formed into a "face" which I have, rather sillily, named "Snapper." The Snapper mark adds a positive feeling to the logo and, for extra fun, the mouth is rotated to 2pi degrees.
In the context of Snapper, the lock mechanism now forms the forehead. This position seems to imply: "Tarsnap always has security in mind." And not just boring security, but the kind that will make you happier/less stressed.
The choice of blue reinforces each of the visual queues above. Psychologically, the color represents a sense of peace, calm or well-being, in addition to security, safety and professionalism.
To conclude, you can also see how a simplified version of the logo text is combined with Snapper to create avatars suitable for use on Twitter, as favicons and anywhere else appropriate. I've also included versions which disclude the simplified logo text so that you can use Snapper at very small sizes.
I'm sure I've typed too much, so I'll stop here. I am absolutely available should you have any further questions, &c. Best of luck to you during this process, and thank you for your time.
With regards,
Ryan
