Are these chinese characters understandable? I am designing a logo for my company, starting from a chinese word (which i am not mentioning not to influence you, i am including it below in a spoiler).

I simplified the ideograms a lot and I wonder if in the process the original meaning was lost:




Are both versions undestandable?
The second version, the vertical lower one, is very simplified, would a Chinese person be able to read it?
Is that little stroke on top of the first character needed or can i remove it? It triggers my OCD


The solution to the enigma is down here, if possible answer with a spoiler not to influence other commenters!
It is plain as day that the two characters in both version of the logo are 烏黑 (pitch-black)in native Chinese's eyes.

The top stroke of 烏 doesn't need to touch the frame, but you can't remove it if you want the character to remain legit.

Invert the color can make it stand out more

You have the option of reducing the four dots at the bottom of both 烏 and 黑 to one straight stroke. That make it more abstract looking. (native Chinese would take a second to recognize the characters, but they will recognize them no doubt) 



(I was a graphic designer too, I suggest you try different fonts to get different feel. Your current design is basically a seal. I am sure you have more different concepts)