Ed. Note: Of course people can be critical about a design competition – though voting will take place in poll form after the hurricane – but if you are critical please show a little decency and don’t be rude about it. We’re just trying to have a little fun.

Entries are now closed for the U Street logo design competition, but we will have lots more competitions coming up for other neighborhoods. Also I’m feeling a Hurricane Sandy competition as well…

Logo by Drew Litowitz

“This logo represents the vibrate, elegant side of U Street, with its many art galleries, music venues, and cool hangout spots.”

Logo by Erin Pedati

“Here’s my submission for branding U Street. I’ve worked/attended school in DC for over a decade, but recently moved to the U St Corridor. It’s always been my favorite part of the city, especially because of the wide variety of concert/music venues. Not only is this neighborhood steeped in a rich jazz tradition, but it’s also home to 9:30 Club, Black Cat, and newer places like U Street Music Hall.

Anyway–I tried to convey that here, with the musical silhouettes, against another icon, row houses. I also wanted to incorporate elements of the DC Flag.”

Logo by Sebastian

“My primary motivation was, “What would I like to see on the front or back of a shirt that would communicate clear pride in the neighborhood immediately from close up or far away?” A simple design is necessary to answer that question. I included the hashtag because the hashtag is a marker for something unique. It puts a word within a sentence above it, commanding a more significant purpose and existence beyond those words around it. The diversity of this neighborhood puts it on the same plane. I was inspired by the metro, as it has a very significant influence on the neighborhood’s development. That is why I included the yellow and green around the hashtag. The lettering for “Ustreet” is also intentional: It matches the station markers on the metro map (non-transfer stations, which the U St. station is: White with a thick black stroke/border). The line underneath is the straight east-west line of U Street on a map, and the drop off on the right (east) is where Florida picks up and starts heading east at 7th street. The thin black border around the entire design is optional, and more there so when you post it there is a frame around the image.”

Logo by G.C.

Logo by Ana Tobin