[Review] DesignEvo: Is this the Canva of logo making?

I was very excited when I found out about DesignEvo. The interface reminded me very much of Canva, a graphic design web application that allows users to create layouts and graphics using a drag-and-drop interface. With access to millions of photos, layouts, fonts, and graphic elements - it's my one-stop shop for quick design solutions. DesignEvo pretty much works the same way, except it's geared more towards logo making, something designers and non-designers would both benefit from. It's free, easy to use, and has relatively fair pricing packages should you want to purchase the logo you created.

To show you how awesome and simple to use this application is, here's a very quick logo project I created through the app. Aaaand if you want to try it for yourself, just head on to DesignEvo.com to start working on one.

By the end of this article I'd be giving away 3 100% off purchase coupons that you can use to buy a logo! Joining is easy, so please stick around! You don't need to join, I'm sharing the coupon codes at the end of this post!:D

30-minute logo design, is that possible? Oh yes!

Project: Logo for Surf and Perf

Brief: Surf and Perf is a small technical blog covering topics around Software Automation and Web Design. It used to be dedicated to Software Performance Testing alone (hence the blog name), but the owner starting dabbling in different fields of automation so the topics grew. The owner needs a logo for their website at www.surfandperf.com.

Keywords: quality assurance, web design, web, software testing

Preferences: simple, minimal, clean symbol

Process:

Timer starts now?

DesignEvo has tons of logo categories to choose from. But since we already established that the company is software related and technical, let's ignore the other cats and head straight to Technology & Communication

At this point, I didn't really have a concept in mind. I just scrolled through the many options and filtered those that struck near the keywords.

Aaand I stopped at this:

There were so many similar templates with a check mark and a computer but this one seemed most relevant because all the lines could stand for something.

✔  Check mark for quality assurance
✔  Computer for web surfing
✔  Brackets for coding/web development

I guess it was love at first sight. So I took it and started editing. The next step is really just a matter of placing your title text.

And we're done! How easy was that? You can choose from several fonts, and add shapes and backgrounds too. I didn't though, because the brief asked for a simple mark. Finally, you can download your logo by clicking on the Download link on the upper right corner of the page. Or for better appreciation, check out the Preview link first to see your design in several mockups.

 Looks legit!

The checkout process is very simple. After clicking the download link, you'll be presented with  3 download options. 1 free and 2 paid.

The inclusions are all included there. For this project, I could very well just pick the FREE version because all I needed was to place it in a website, and that wouldn't take up more than 500px of space. But for demo purposes I got the PLUS version because I wanted to see the inclusions of the download pack.

DesignEvo accepts paypal and credit card payments and you're guaranteed a secure checkout process.

FREE COUPONS TIME!

Here are 100% off coupon codes you can use at DesignEvo should you want to purchase the logos you created for free. I'm scrapping the giveaway mechanics 'cos I noticed it wasn't taking off so well, so might as well just give the codes to anyone who'd ask.

Each code is good for 3 uses, valid until December 31, 2018. And since it's all out here, first come first served basis applies. If the code doesn't work that means it's been used already.

Here you go:

DEP100FFHY1A

DEP100FFHY1B

DEP100FFHY1C

To use, just follow the Checkout page and click on the "Have a coupon?" link to enter the code.

Back to the download

As promised, the download pack contains a complete set of files you'll need should you want to further edit the logo.

✔  Font file

✔  Hi-res images (in transparent and white bg)

✔  Vector files (pdf and svg)

What I found missing though is the document file stating the right to register a trademark.

So finally, I would recommend DesignEvo for:

✔  Those who want to create a logo quick

✔  Those who don't want to pay too much for a logo

✔  Those who don't mind generic looking logos

✔  Those who don't mind public domain fonts 

✔  Those who want to look for logo inspirations

✔  Those who want to discover new logo trends

✔  Those who are just starting a business and don't have much capital on logo and branding

Having a logo for your brand/business is important, and DesignEvo offers a practical solution to that!

Don't miss the giveaway!

[GIVEAWAY] Win GCs from Franck Provost Paris, Status Hair Salon, The Zen Institute, and I Do Nails! [CLOSED]

I mentioned some entries back that i was planning on giving away a couple of gift certificates that i won't be able to use because of their locations. Dahil dyan, eto na! I'm giving away some 3k worth of GCs to two lucky winners.

The mechanics are super simple as usual: like, follow, share, comment, repost, retweet, regram... you know the drill! i always try to make it easy for you to earn entries so make sure that you do them all! Who knows if i throw in a couple more gifts hehe

Here are the prizes and essential GC details as well:

Prize #1:

1. Franck Provost Paris 
- Php 1,500 worth of GCs from Franck Provost Paris
- Valid at Franck Provost branches at Jupiter Makati, Molito Alabang, and Manila Peninsula (Makati).
- Valid from November 2014 to November 2015. GC value must be used in 1 visit, and is not valid for cash back. GC value is not convertible to cash. Only 1 GC per person will be honored per redemption.

2. The Zen Institute (A Medical Spa)
- 15 minutes complimentary Ultralipo (Body Sculpting) or Resolift (Facial Contouring) treatment worth Php 5,000, and a promo rate of Php 1,000 for Diamond Peel and Facial Spa (regular).
- Valid at the follow branches (and by appointment only): Tomas Morato and Sto. Tomas Batangas

Prize #2:

1. Status Hair Salon
- Php 1,000 worth of GC from Status Hair Salon
- Valid until December 31 2014 at the following branches: Robinsons Galleria, Katipunan, Tomas Morato, Eastwood, and Greenhills

2. I Do Nails
- Php 500 worth of GC from I Do Nails
- Valid at the following branches: Eastwood Mall, and Tuscany Mckinley Hill

Mechanics:

1. Open to everyone who has a Metro Manila mailing address

2. Contest will run from December 2 - 10, 2014

3. Winner will be announced within the week of closing date, and will receive a confirmation message via email

4. Prizes will be shipped to the winner's Metro Manila address

5. If you win, all of your entries will be validated for completeness. 

Alright, off you go to the Rafflecopter!

a Rafflecopter giveawayIf you're having trouble loading the Rafflecopter widget, you may also access it here!

We have our winners!

Congrats to the following people! Email sent!

Lastly, thank you to everyone who joined my second giveaway! I pray that each and everyone of us will enjoy the merry season in perfect health! God bless you all and stay tuned for more giveaways! :)

[Review + Giveaway!] A chill night at SF Bistro - McKinley Hill, Taguig [CLOSED]

if you're looking for a cozy place to hang out with your friends for a good drink, and a dynamic menu that offers sound gourmet fusion dishes, here's a chill place you might want to try out!

last week, terai and i got to experience SF Bistro (yup, that's san fran!) for the first time. it's located at the ground floor of Tuscany Private Estates, right in front of McKinley Hills Village, and just a good walking distance away from Venice Piazza. :) so if you work around McKinley or BGC, there's no reason to miss this place out!

honestly, i don't know what's distinct with san francisco's food offerings that are categorically different from the more commonly known american foods like burgers, steaks, and mashed potatoes. but looking at the menu, i figured that SF Bistro is generally an american fusion restaurant so i was excited how the food is going to come out!

Ambiance

the place is a bit small and could come off as pretty cramped, you know when you have to tip toe your way between chairs? haha i even knocked off a lamp. sorry! 

they have a bar counter, and a small space beside the stairs for a performer (preferably solo hehe). the lights are a bit dim for my own liking (and photos) though hehe. but anyway, the overall feel of the place is cozy and relaxed. and with that guy singing over there, there is totally no reason to not loosen up. his voice is amazing! upstairs is where the kitchen is and a function area :D yes, they accept reservations!

Menu

Here's a peek at their menu, they have a lot to offer specially with the drinks (just click to enlarge)!

Aaaaand, the food!

Here's what we ordered during our visit :)

Spinach Dip
Php 195.00

those are crispy tortilla chips, served with a special spinach dip. you could never go wrong with nachos talaga, and this dish is no different. we loved how the dip is so cheesy! simot sarap samin to! hahaha

Ginger Detox
Php 80.00

MY FAVORITE DRINK! i'm a sucker for ginger and anything with detox in it (i've caught the detox fad bug!). this is most probably cold water infused with lemon, ginger slices, and mild sweetener, at least. and the result is an extremely refreshing healthful kick. YOU HAVE TO TRY THIS. i will definitely do this at home since it looks so simple hehe

Portabello Truffle Pasta

Php 205.00

From the menu: Linguine pasta tossed in our creamy sauce in mushroom. Served with two slices of bread

it may look like a glammed up carbonara but it's more than that. the sauce is amazing and tastes very sosyal. hahaha ano ba. this is my favorite among all the dishes we tried! 

Beef Sliders
Php 245.00

From the menu: Grilled beef patty with lettuce, tomato, in cocktail buns. Served with our cucumber sauce.

that's two mini burgers served with drizzled onion rings. aside from being super cute, they also taste great! 

Chicken and Shrimp Chimichurri
Php 365.00

From the menu: Grilled chicken and shrimp in herbs and spices in creamy chimichuri sauce

we told ourselves not to eat rice so we won't gloat easily but the curious sounding dish caught us. we loved how the rice was specked with a lot of herbs but still didn't taste too overpowering. the chimichuri sauce was super creamy, and the lemon which we squeezed to death provided a great contrast to the dish. it could use some more salt and seasoning though, but maybe that's what the condiments are for hehe. >XD

Barbecue Ribs

Php 250.00

From the menu: Slow roasted pork ribs in our very own barbecue sauce. Served with a choice of rice or dirty mashed potato and buttered vegetables

The best seller for entrees! when we read the menu we were like, DIRTY MASHED POTATO? yung totoo? apparently it's a term used to describe mashed potato which isn't totally peeled. in short, may balat. so dirty daw. haha #amused

we enjoyed this a lot! the pork was tender, the barbecue sauce was strong, but was perfectly tamed with the mashed potato. perfect combo diba! at my buttered vegetables pa. 

Vanilla Ice Cream

Php 135.00

Mojitos

Classic Mojito - Php 150.00

Ginger Valley - Php 150.00

terai ordered the Classic Mojito, and i can't get over the ginger feels so i opted for the Ginger Valley! hahaha! she loved the ginger mojito better because obvious ba, GINGER IS OZOM!

aaaaand that's all! i hope you loved this feature as much as we loved eating there! i'm gonna be wrapping this up soon with their contact details aaaand MY VERY FIRST GIVEAWAY!  ma-excite ka, dali! HAHAHA

thanks for having us, SF Bistro!

Location, contact, and stuff!

San Francisco Bistro

G/F Tuscany Private Estates

Upper McKinley Road
McKinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio
Taguig

Hours: Monday to Sunday, 11am - 2am

Phone: 9492744

Email: reservation.sfbmckinley@gmail.com

Facebook: sanfranciscobistro

Twitter: @sfbistroph

Instagram: @sfbistro

Giveaway time!

hahaha welcome to my first ever giveaway! >XD the rules are simple! just key in your entries using the rafflecopter widget below and get a chance to win Php 1,000 worth of SF Bistro Gift Certificate and a surprise gift from me!

Note: Rafflecopter widget might not work on mobile

Terms and Conditions:

1. Open to everyone who has a Metro Manila mailing address, 

2. Contest will run from September 10 - 17, 2014

3. Winner will be announced within the week of closing date, and will receive a confirmation message via email

4. Prizes will be shipped to the winner's Metro Manila address

a Rafflecopter giveaway

We have a winner!

Thank you so much to everyone who joined! Congratulations to Joy Rebleza! I've sent you an email :)

Stay tuned for more giveaways! :)