Is This Post/Poll Allowed?

New England SteamWorks

Forgive me if it is not. And feel free to remove immediately if it is in violation. But I recall requests for polling, and if not allowed, perhaps we need a new category "The Business of Heating"?

But I digress...

We have purchased a new work van and commissioned a design contest for the wrap. The two top contestants are so outstanding that we cannot decide. And so, we thought, what better audience to help us than fellow Wallies? Fortunately, the design website offers a poll for just such predicaments.

We really could use your help.

The poll is here

If this post is allowed, I shall post the results.

Thanks everyone!

Steamhead

Done.

Ironman

Both are excellent. The black and gold is more of an eye catcher, but I like the more simplistic white and black.

New England SteamWorks

Ironman said:

Both are excellent. The black and gold is more of an eye catcher, but I like the more simplistic white and black.

Thank you Bob, but did you vote?!

Ironman

Yes, I gave both 5 stars. I'm normally very decisive, but I liked both of them equally.

Mad Dog_2

I voted for second one. The first one is cool, but too busy and almost looks like watch or clock works (great for a lock smith) The second one is easier to look at, but would look great if you could incorporate those brass & copper colors of the first one. Good luck. I'm excited for you. I remember those days with my Triple Crown Box truck. Mad Dog

ratio

The sight glass is the giveaway—"That's the guy I need, he has that same thingie on his truck that's on my boiler!"

New England SteamWorks

Ironman said:

Yes, I gave both 5 stars. I'm normally very decisive, but I liked both of them equally.

Exactly my problem Bob!

Ironman

Mad Dog said:

I voted for second one. The first one is cool, but too busy and almost looks like watch or clock works (great for a lock smith) The second one is easier to look at, but would look great if you could incorporate those brass & copper colors of the first one. Good luck. I'm excited for you. I remember those days with my Triple Crown Box truck. Mad Dog

Thanks, Mad Dog. You put into words exactly what I was feeling, but couldn't frame into words.

Tinman

I gave the first one 5 stars, 4 stars for the second.

New England SteamWorks

Mad Dog said:

I voted for second one. The first one is cool, but too busy and almost looks like watch or clock works (great for a lock smith) The second one is easier to look at, but would look great if you could incorporate those brass & copper colors of the first one. Good luck. I'm excited for you. I remember those days with my Triple Crown Box truck. Mad Dog

They have two kinds of contests: Open & Blind. The default is open, but apparently designers don't like that because right off the bat they all begin to copy the leading designer. So my designers requested blind or no go, which means they have no knowledge of the other designs, but also means you are honor bound not to suggest things from another designer to help them.

And, of course, I am an honorable guy. Only one of them gets paid.

nicholas bonham-carter

Both are equally good-putting the rad and sight glass on is genius!
One thing to consider is-how will the truck look when it is dirty?
I don’t think such a tall vehicle can go into the average car wash.
Maybe shades of gray, (but not 50!) would hide any blobs of road dirt.
Is that a diesel, and what mileage can you get out of it?
My GL 320 CDI gets 26 mpg on the interstate, and it has only a slightly smaller frontal are as that truck.—NBC

New England SteamWorks

Yes, it's a diesel. I picked it actually for the mileage. Nothing touches it with the same payload/cubic capacity.

Dave0176

Gave both 5 stars can’t decide, both look awesome.....

hot_rod

I think they are both too dark with all the black. I love the design work to tell what work you do.
Is any of the lettering reflective for night viewing?

Can the graphics folks simply change color in the simulation software to see what a grey back color might look like. Most programs allow you to click on different colors to see how it changes.

AMservices

I gave the 1st 5 stars. Radiators are more recognizable to people then gauge glass.
But I will also say the 2nd option is nice with its softer color.
Either one will turn heads.

Larry Weingarten

Hi, Both are very attractive, but both are rather busy. If the hope is to have folks call from what they see driving down the road, it's going to be hard for them to get your contact info because of limited time and print size. If that's your audience, I'd make something more graphical, like a cartoon. If this is for neighbors of your clients to see when the van is parked, it's perfect! I gave the second one a slightly higher rating because it's simpler.

Yours, Larry

invermont

As a consumer and not a pro, I voted number two. Less busy

Tinman

@New England Steamworks -
I apologize for posting pics of my van on your thread/poll. It wasn't meant to be critical of your options. They are both incredible.

I just went through the whole process myself and the decision between wrapping and lettering was difficult. The trade rags seem to frown on white vans with lettering, not going as far as calling them unprofessional, but close. I guess I'm just too old school.

I've asked Erin to delete my post.

Thanks for listening.

Jamie Hall

I like both of them -- but I prefer the second one slightly. Good show!

nicholas bonham-carter

Stephen, I am glad you posted the pictures of your van.
In the context of the discussion about the busy-ness of the design, or being too dark. It was a perfect illustration of simplicity.
Also easier to repair when some one opens a door into the side of your truck, making a dent or scratch.
I think there here used to be a thread full of van pictures here, and would enjoy seeing them again.
My favorite was a plumbers truck with the motto:
“We’re number 1 in the number 2 business”—NBC

New England SteamWorks

@Stephen Minnich , no need to apologize, and no offense taken. My only goal of the post was to get folks to vote, not to showcase a work vehicle that doesn't even exist yet! No worries.

unclejohn

The one with the sight glass for sure. The other almost gets mistaken for watch or clock repair.

hot_rod

Add a QR code in a few spots also. It's amazing how many peoply use them nowadays to get all your info with on click of a phone camera. I click on semis truck and billboards occasionally instead of trying to read and remember all the data.

Erin Holohan Haskell

@New England SteamWorks - It's ok to post this poll. Thanks for asking and sharing. Good luck with the design process.

I vote for the second design as well. It might even be too busy with the sight glass. Maybe try it with just the radiator? Too many graphics will take attention away from your logo and contact info, which is where the focus should be.

Keep us posted on what you decide.

New England SteamWorks

hot rod said:

Add a QR code in a few spots also. It's amazing how many peoply use them nowadays to get all your info with on click of a phone camera. I click on semis truck and billboards occasionally instead of trying to read and remember all the data.

Now this seems like a great idea. Except now I have to google QR code and learn about it!

DanHolohan

I'm with Hot Rod. His wife, Ellen Rohr and Al Levi just won the Plumbing & Mechanical prize for best truck with this entry from their business. I voted for it, and mentioned the easy-to-read info.

AMservices

@Erin Holohan Haskell has the best idea.
Less is more in this situation.
Even though I pick #1

ratio

The sight glass is your ticket to ride. Anyone who doesn't recognize it isn't going to be a customer, anyone who recognizes it is going to know that they want you even if they don't know what it is.

Fred

I picked #1 also. It is an attention getter, going down the road. That by itself would cause me to take a second look to see who the company is and what they do.

Solid_Fuel_Man

I'm a simpler is more, so I voted #2 as well. Still a lot going on there. Readability or attention getter, both get the attention!

lchmb

both are nice trucks.. I do think #1 looks sharp but would wonder if it would confuse people..that and how would it look dirty... #2 explains it all..even dirty a person with a steam system know's a site glass...

EBEBRATT-Ed

I'm with @ratio on the sight glass version

New England SteamWorks

Boy. 24 hours ago this was looking easy. The black (top) one was ahead by quite a bit. But since this morning they've been tied...

I guess we need more votes!

New England SteamWorks

Polls over. Thanks everyone for helping out! I went with the black one. The only reason I had was that I get so tired of oily hand prints around all the door handles on white trucks. Otherwise, it was impossible to decide. Seemed a little like my customers liked the black one, and fellow contractors liked the white one...

Fred

Great Choice!

Ironman

Post some pics when you get it.

unclejohn

I have always want a contest too see who had the best dash on a service van. Have to take a pic of mine and post it.

New England SteamWorks

Yes, please do! Feel free to hijack this thread if you like. It has served its purpose.

rick in Alaska

unclejohn said:

I have always want a contest too see who had the best dash on a service van. Have to take a pic of mine and post it.

Do you mean to see who has the most stuff on it? How about sticky notes on it? I try to keep my dash clean, and the sticky notes to a minimum, but you know...
Rick

New England SteamWorks

We're rolling!

Finished photos as promised:





And thank you @hot rod for the QR Code. We'll see what happens with that!