I was against gradients because i wanted a slightly more flexible logo logo that does not lose the visual appeal when it is shown in monochrome/silhouette.

Thank you Phil for pointing that out, it was not one for the final cut so now worries there.

I have now sent the following 7 designs to my client, ..i will try and state why i liked them so that those that were not sent will have an idea of what i was after.

#53: it was so simple, but the iconogrpahy is something that could be instantly recognizable without the brand name and additionally it will lend it self to two shades of ANY colour the cliet wishes.

#45: this again privdes a symbol without the need for the brand name, ..but together still works well, ...although this is actually a little too fancy for my personal choice, that is merely personal opinion, and it defintely fulfills the criteria and goes to client :)

#43: i find this one hard to quantify, ..because if i am analytical of it, it has nothing that stands out, and the quill is similar to the old PS icon ...but it jumped out at me from the page and was memorable, ..so it made the cut.

#38, #42: DesignMonster communicated with me and interpeted the feedback well, all of his logos again provide a strong icon alongside clear simple text. It is the choice of icon representation that made me choose these 2 as particularly appropriate.

#30: This one fits the bill for the slightly more corporate angle, and therefore made the cut based on this, ..again with a logo that works well and is recognisable without the brand name.

#27: so simple, ...bothered to mockup colour variations, again this just jumps from the page.

Thank you again to everyone that entered, ...as i said i have sent the designs to my client so i am not really looking for any more. I will award the winner and let you all know as soon as my client gets back to me.

I am not giving individual feedback yet, i will give it another 12 hours for the other side of the world to get a fair chance, but if you are interested in how i feel about these check the ratings, ..4/5 stars i intend to show my client for the final descision.

What turns me off some of the design i have given lower rating to are small unreadable text, or logos that bear no relevence to the brand name. ...having said that though #21 git a high rating as it is clear, readable and something about the icon suits the diary/netwroking nature of the business.