i need a logo  

"Read"
has a specific meaning in graphics and typography: comprehension/translation of what is written or drawn. Sorry; you would have had to be an art student, perhaps. THREE reads easily and obviously; THRE3 is apparently supposed to be read as the same word (with some unspecified twist), but I don't think the mind/eye reads it as "three" very successfully. It could as easily mean "there" -- to my eye.

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oh no, I agree with you and understand what is meant by 'read' in visual art terms. I don't find it attractive either and if it is part of the kmart clothing deal think its even more poorly concieved. The thing is we don't know what 'thre3' is meant to represent so its all pretty moot.
But not being a graphic designer don't know how it could have been re-worked into something more pleasing. The idea of '3-ness' could be presented in so many different ways without resorting to a simple literal reliance on font.
I know thats not what the original poster had in mind but to paraphrase someone the good designer gives the client not what they think they want but what they never even dreamed of.
Reserve Bank of Australia graphic - Gordon Andrews.

With all due respect SDR...
I'm with whitespike on this one:
"But how hard is this, really ? I'm no graphic designer, but this assignment seems like nothing more than selecting the right typeface."
You could not have oversimplified a truly difficult process unless you had actually taken the time to DESIGN a method to do so.
As graphic designers we get asked on a DAILY BASIS to actually EMBRACE the challenge of taking difficult brands, "THRE3" in this instance, and devise compelling solutions to do what you have mentioned does not readily jump off the page. Sometimes you can tightly kern Helvetica and get a KNOLL logo, and sometimes you have to finesse something like a THRE3 into something that WOULD read easily or roll off the tongue. But FOR THAT degree of exploration, just compensation is in order. This "request" does offer the promise of an interesting excercise, but it's payoff?...not so much.
It seems simple enough to design a CHAIR, I mean, it's only A CHAIR right? It's just something you put your ass on, how hard could it be?

Could you
translate "You could not have oversimplified a truly difficult process unless you had actually taken the time to DESIGN a method to do so" for me ?
The bank logo posted above is an attractive and unusual form. In what way(s) does it say "bank," or "secure," or whatever else a bank logo should say ? I don't get anything of that nature out of it. If it pleases the client, that's good enough ?
I can see that there might be ways to make THRE3 read in some appropriate and meaningful way. Maybe all right angles -- a strictly orthogonal dedicated font. And I of course agree that such research should be compensated.
Anyway, according to our hosts we're not supposed to be discussing graphic design on this site. I say let's let it go. Best of luck with your professional careers. If you can recommend a graphics chat site, I'd be interested.

Sure SDR...
I meant that in order to oversimplify the process of graphic design MORE than your statement already had, you would have had to INVENT a way of doing so.
I'm not trying to pick a fight with you BY ANY MEANS, it;s just that when you LIVE a PROCESS day in and day out, when someone reduces that process to A FONT CHOICE...
As far as relevance to this site, MANY parts of the design process are similar REGARDLESS of the medium. That is why I turned the argument towards simplifying the act of designing a chair to merely something someone sits on.. Perhaps that reference is one that we can all appreciate the absurdity of.
SDR, I did not mean to "call you out", I know that your input has been more valuable and more established than my own. I am on this site as a NOVICE in terms of furniture design so the majority of my comments related to such are as an admirer and not a PARTICIPANT IN THE PROCESS and I try to stay out of conversations where I would only paint myself into a corner. I believe you weren't taking a stab at graphic design OR graphic designers so that is why I am attempting to be conciliatory. BUT, when someone crosses into a territory that I DO participate in (successfully or not ;0)), all bets are off.

Sounds good
to me I certainly didn't mean to step on any toes, myself.
Too bad we don't have a worthy graphics problem to coalesce around. I would never suggest that all of graphic design, or logo design specifically, is merely a matter of type selection. This cut-rate problem did seem to me to be one which could be dispatched with an available font, since the gimmick is the numeral. But of course each designer would approach the problem from his or her own perspective and experience. And I am not a trained graphic designer.

Actually, while furniture...
Actually, while furniture design and architecture is the central focus, I recall Patrick or Alix saying that they had written the "no talk about graphic design etc" rule on day one. And that such talk among regular members should not necessarily be discouraged.
How can you deny its place in design discussion?