Tech Magazine Logo & Branding Design

We're launching an independent online publication for software engineers and
technical leaders. It covers how production systems are built and run:
software architecture, AI-assisted engineering, code quality and operations,
and the business side of SaaS. The readers are experienced developers, so the
brand has to feel credible, calm and editorial, closer to a serious magazine
than to a startup.

The name is one word, 11 letters, a blend of a tech term and an economics
term. We'll share it with shortlisted designers.

WHAT WE NEED
- A primary logo: a wordmark, plus a simple symbol or monogram that also
works on its own
- Horizontal and stacked versions
- An icon version that stays clear at favicon size (16px and 32px) and as a
social media avatar
- Full-colour, black and white (reversed) versions
- A short brand sheet: colours, clear space, minimum size, and do's and don'ts

WHERE IT WILL BE USED
A website header (small, about 26px tall), favicon, email newsletter header,
social profiles and article share images. It has to hold up very small and
in a single colour.

STYLE DIRECTION
- Editorial and timeless: think respected publications and well-designed
developer brands
- Confident and simple, with a clear idea behind it (a nod to "stacks",
layers or systems is welcome, but not required)
- Current palette: near-black ink, warm cream and one green accent. We're
open to refining it
- Please avoid: glowing gradients, circuit boards, robots or brain icons,
code brackets as the whole idea, and anything that looks like a template

We have a temporary wordmark today and are open to a completely new
direction.

PROCESS
- 2–3 initial concepts, each shown in context (a site header, a favicon, a
dark background)
- One direction refined, with at least 2 rounds of revisions
- Final files: SVG, PDF and transparent PNG in several sizes, plus the source
files (Illustrator or Figma)

REQUIREMENTS
- Original work only: no stock elements, templates or AI-generated artwork
- Full copyright and ownership transfer to us on final payment
- Fluent English and regular updates

TO APPLY
Start your proposal with the word "ledger" so we know you read this. Include:
1. 2–3 logos or wordmarks you've designed that you think fit this brief, and
why
2. Your process and timeline
3. Your fixed price for the scope above