Designing different vector logo options

I was asked to come up with a logo for Toby Beresford an application developer that specialises in third party apps for Facebook. The client wanted something neat, simple and modern that could have a shiny web 2.0 effect put on at a later date.

I find it better to start off with Adobe Illustrator using only one colour as this is the most simple form the logo will take and if it looks good like this – large and small – it’ll look good after any treatment or in any context.

This first one is with Helvetica Neue. I told myself ages ago I would never use this typeface because everyone else does all the time. Overlapping the characters and having the colour multiply in the intersecting areas is an effect I like – didn’t quite work here though.

I went for VAG Rounded for this one. I doctored the y because I liked the idea of the descender come from the middle of the letter. I quite liked having the ascenders and descenders extended to differing lengths.

This was based on a free Larabie typeface called Eden Mills. The moment I saw the typeface I said; “This is it!” The client said; “I’m not a vulcan.” More Larabie free fonts.

This one was based on a retro typeface, Bauhaus heavy, which can look modern given the correct treatment. A very distinctive y which I like.

Another Larabie typeface was used here called Forgotten Futurist. I messed around with this one alot and I think it’s my favourite.

I thought I’d have to do one logo with an icon or symbol. What icon could I use for applications? I went for a cog thing.

Here’s a question for everyone – graphic designer and layperson – which one did the client go for?