Fieldwork Communications: Logo for a small strategic communications firm

Masculine

Generally, we appreciate strong colors. Although much of our work revolves around marine- and seafood-related subjects, we do not want to restrict designers to the blue/green/white/gray palettes that are ubiquitous. If they work well in this project, that’s fine, but designers should feel free to go outside those palettes or go bold if they feel it is the right thing to do.

not sure

Over the years, Fieldwork has come to be focused on Strategic Media & Stakeholder Relations - at least that's about the closest we can come to describing our work in a few words.
In practice, we work with clients - mostly environmental non-profits and trade associations connected to the commercial fishing industry - and do things like:
• Media relations (writing op-eds, talking to reporters, pitching stories)
• Build and support alternative communications channels that we can push our clients' agendas across, like West Coast Trawlers' Network, Commercial Fishermen for Bristol Bay and Alaska Waypoints
• Develop and support national coalitions of organizations who come together to lobby lawmakers and policymakers and work toward common goals
The term 'fieldwork,' in this case, borrows from both politics and from the social and physical sciences. In politics, fieldwork is about interfacing and communicating actively with constituent groups at the grassroots level; building coalitions; organizing events, etc.
In the sciences, Wikipedia describes it this way:
“Field research or fieldwork is the collection of information outside a laboratory or workplace setting. The approaches and methods used in field research varies across disciplines. For example, biologists who conduct field research may simply observe animals interact with their environments whereas social scientists may interview or observe people in their natural environments to learn their languages, folklore, and social structures constitutes field research.
“Field research involves a range of well-defined, though variable methods: ‘’informal interviews, direct observation, participation in the life of the group, collective discussions, analyses of personal documents produced within the group, self-analysis, results from activities undertaken off or online, and life-histories. Although the method is generally characterized as qualitative research, it can (and often does) include quantitative dimensions.”
So, this is meant to convey that we ground our work in real-world observations, realities and our experiences. A lot of our credibility as "a PR firm" working with seafood-related clients derives from the fact that we have worked and to some extent still do as commercial fishermen - actual harvesters of seafood.
Under "What kind of design are you looking for?) we selected three types, because, frankly, we're not sure which works best for us. We like the idea of a mark, or a stamp, or an imprint or some other kind of image that conveys our identity and also the natural world, solidity, hands-on effectiveness.
We are open to the idea of minimizing the word "communications" in the design and making Fieldwork the dominant word. We have also thought that switching it up conceptually by adding a slash between Fieldwork and Communications might be considered, because they are somewhat distinct concepts. So: Fieldwork/Communications. We would be open to that if it worked well in a design.
We are an LLC, so that can be included, although we don't feel at all strongly about it.
Finally, we might mention that a lot of our work revolves around saltwater fish and seafood of the West Coast and Alaska (salmon, halibut, cod, etc.). We almost hesitate to mention this, because we are, after all, called Fieldwork, not Fishwork, and we don't want our logo to say nothing but fish. Having said that, we are open to some kind of fish or saltwater image, but think that if it is used, it should be balanced with other natural imagery (mountain, tree, landscape?). Perhaps 2-4 small icons as part of larger stamp or mark? (Please take this ONLY FOR WHAT IT'S WORTH, and not as clear directive.) We trust the judgment and instincts of great designers.
We like to think that we are imaginative and open to non-traditional ideas. We do anticipate incorporating this logo in a new website and on business cards.
Thank you very much for taking the time to read through this, and for your interest in this project.