2012 Teacher Appreciation Week: Highlighting Educated Design Customer Blog

Did you have a favorite teacher when you were in school? For me, it was my third grade teacher, who introduced me to some of my favorite books and served as both mentor and inspiration to a very enthusiastic and rambunctious 8-year old. When you think about it, it’s amazing how just one person can help shape someone into who they’ve become today. To this teacher, and teachers across the world, we at 99designs salute and thank you for the hard work you do each and every day!

Today kicks off 2012 Teacher Appreciation Week, a week-long celebration of teachers and the important role they play in our lives. Teachers spend countless hours preparing lessons, engaging their students in classrooms, and serving as mentors to young minds. In honor of these scholastic superheroes, we’ve pulled together nine fantastic education-related logos for your inspiration. And, of course, don’t forget to reach out to a former teacher this week to express your gratitude!

Also, on May 17th, 99designs be pumping out pushups in a unique “Startup Charity Pushup Challenge” that will benefit our selected charity DonorsChoose.org, a not-for-profit that connects donors with teachers in need of supplies for their classrooms, as well as four other charitable organizations chosen by the other participating companies. We’re in fundraising mode – hoping to raise at least $2,500 for DonorsChoose.org – and invite you to learn more about the event and consider making a donation here.

#1 – UrbanPromise Miami

Winning Design by: tahiadesign

We love how the bright colors in this logo reflect UrbanPromise Miami’s energy and South Florida style. UrbanPromise preps Miami’s youth by teaching important skills needed for success in the classroom, and aim to empower youth in under-resourced communities and boost graduation rates.

You can see UrbanPromise Miami’s logo design contest here.

#2 – IntelliJoy

Winning design by: Thrash

Getting kids excited about learning isn’t always easy – but never fear, IntelliJoy is here! IntelliJoy is the #1 educational mobile games provider for pre-school age children, with more than 10 million downloads to date. The company creates fun and interactive mobile games help young ones get excited about learning. With kids having so much fun while they’re learning, it’s no wonder that their tagline is “education in disguise.”

You can see IntelliJoy’s logo design contest here.

#3 – Musicshake

Winning design by: Satbir S

The clean and classic look of Musicshake’s winning web page design is music to our ears! Musicshake is an online music creation tool that allows children to learn about music in an exciting and interactive way. Kids can create their own musical masterpieces online and even upload them to social outlets like YouTube, Twitter, and Facebook to share with their friends and family. Now if only this amazing music machine was around when I was young!

You can see Musicshake’s web design contest here.

#4 – The Complete Guide to Music Theory

Winning design by: digitalmartin

Take note (pun intended) of this light and airy design for UK-based Julia Rowley’s newest lesson book, “The Complete Guide to Music Theory.” Julia’s students jam in private lessons and the concerts she organizes each year, and all of her students pass their music exams with flying colors. We have just one thing to say to Julia – bravo!

You can see Julia’s book cover design contest here.

#5 – School|Life

Winning design by: JP_Designs

School|Life aims to bring teachers, parents, and students together to talk about important issues in education. This web-based magazine features articles about real life students and teachers and their successes and struggles, both in and out of the classroom. We think that their logo ties together the intersection of school and home life perfectly – what do you think?

You can see School|Life’s logo design contest here.

#6 – Kulinary Kids NYC

Winning design by: binaryrows

Kulinary Kids NYC is a New York-based children’s cooking class that teaches basic cooking and kitchen safety skills. Founded by former nursery school teachers Daniela Ben-Zion and Dana Ravner, these queens of the kitchen share the idea that it’s not the outcome of the recipe, but the joy of learning that truly makes a “Kulinary Kid.”

You can see Kulinary Kids NYC’s logo design contest here.

#7 – Elafent

Winning design by: Pac3

This playful pachyderm represents Elafent, an early-stage education and tech startup that provides instruction in Language Arts through the use of online video tutorials and interactive demonstrations. Blending learning with technology is the future of education and, from one startup to another, we wish Elafent nothing but success!

You can see Elafent’s logo design contest here.

#8 – Bird House Early Learning Centres

Winning design by: wabi

Bird House may be a new name in the Australian childcare industry, but these fun-loving folks are no new kids on the block! Originally called Bright Horizons, this kid-wrangling crew has been providing a happy and safe learning environment to children for many years. We admire their passion and commitment to their young ones, and their new bird house logo sets our hearts a-twitter. What are your thoughts?

You can see Bird House Early Learning Centres’ logo design contest here.

#9 – Laymon Hicks

Winning design by: TumbasNiki

This edgy t-shirt design is undoubtedly, as Laymon Hicks would put it, “the bomb.com!” Laymon is a renowned motivational speaker with a focus on connecting with and empowering students to achieve great things. In addition to the inspiring talks he gives across the country, Laymon has also authored four books and can be seen as a featured guest on the nationally-syndicated show, Maury. Be sure to check out his website and see Laymon in action!

You can see Laymon’s T-Shirt design contest here.

Tim is a Support Team Member in 99designs' San Francisco office and serves as the coordinator for 99nonprofits. He hails from the fair state of Wisconsin and has called the City by the Bay home for the past five years. In his spare time, he is an avid reader and architecture and design enthusiast. You might also spot him wandering through San Francisco's amazing parks, having a pint with friends, or sampling the fantastic food and fare the City has to offer.