Keeping it simple

Professor Taylor asks you to take note of how simple a logo can be in this example of Bloomingdale's Web site:

Kelina's Stationary Set

Design Strategy:
My dream is to work for a music magazine. I wanted to somehow incorporate writing and music in an image while still representing myself accurately. I created a record using layering concentric circles each treated with a gradient. The label was created by another circle. Using the knife tool on two circles, I created the lines around the red label.

There is something about records that modern MP3s or CDs have and although it is an outdated technology, they are classic and hip. After finishing the record, it looked like it still needed more. Somehow I had to still incorporate writing other than writing “journalist” on the record. I then decided to create the arm of the record player. Rather than using the regular needle tip, I used Live Paint on the tip of a fountain pen to create the needle. I connected it using simple lines to create the idea of a full record player without all of the pieces.

I wanted to keep the letterhead and envelope simple. I continued the color from the label as the background.

For the business card, I chose to do a different size 19p square because the logo would be compromised if it were too small or cropped too much. The square shape is modern. I also chose to do a two-sided business card to accommodate both the full logo and all of my personal information.

Choice of typefaces:
I chose a modern sans serif font in caps for my name. Veranda is used in all text on the business card, letterhead and envelope. The font is slightly stretched in order to emulate the fonts used on real vinyl records. Using the Paintbrush tool in Illustrator, I made a ‘K’ and ‘I’ and created the small initials on the record.

Color:
The color red was chosen for the label and background because it is an attention grabbing color. It is C- 15%, M- 100%, Y- 90%, K- 10%. It is not a Pantone color because it was taken from Illustrator.

Paper:
All pieces were printed on the normal 8 1/2 x 11 sheets of paper from the labs.

Logo Design

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Design Strategy:
Again, I tried to design my logo to fit my personality, as well as the internships I will be applying for. Since I want to work for a fashion magazine, I designed it to appear chic and elegant. I played off of my last name, “Glass”, and the fact that I want to write for a fashion magazine and added a glass slipper. I found the “glass flashes” on illustrator and thought that they added a depth and a new dimension to my logo.
My stationary is relatively simple. Because my logo takes up a good portion of the top of the paper, I left my address at the absolute bottom. I wanted both to be centered and stack nicely on top of one another. I repeated the “glass flash” motif at the bottom, using two on one side and one on the other because a symmetry is more eye pleasing than symmetry.
Since my logo is so girly, I wanted my business card to be a funky shape, so that it would stand out in the fashion industry. Square business cards are becoming more and more popular and seem to be very en vogue right now. I got rid of the “glass flashes” because I thought that they distracted from my information. I used the purple to add more color and make it less boring. The back of my card is just my original shoe with the “glass flashes”. It is facing the opposite direction so that it still has the she of an “L” and appears to be the opposite foot.
I used just the shoe and my name for the front of my envelope because it was simple and elegant. I moved my return address to the back of the envelope so that the front was not overcrowded and I kept the “glass flash” motif on the back.

Choice of Typefaces:
I chose didot for my type family because I wanted to keep the continuity my resume and my logo. Didot is also a very fashion forward type family.

Color:
I stuck with the same basic color theme that I had used in my resume, because I wanted my resume to match my logo. I chose light purple, PantoneDS165-3C (C=35%, M=70%, Y=0%, K=10%) because not only is it my favorite color, but it is a color that is often equated with flowers and my first name, Lauren, means crowned with laurels. For the inside of the blue lettering, I used PantoneDS246-8C (C=20%, M=0%, Y=5%, K=0%). For the outside of the lettering, I used a slightly darker blue to accent the inside, and still give the lettering a glassy texture, PantoneDS230-8C (C=30%, Y=5%, M=50%, K=5%). I also used this blue for the shoe, which I traced in illustrator.

Paper:
I chose to use normal paper for my stationary because it is more economically feasible and the bright white color compliments the blue.

Effective logo

Now, I know very little about cars or their stereotypes--this is purely my interpretation!! But this is one of my favorite logos--Cadillac. I think this logo works because at this point, it's been used by the car company for so many years that's it's identifiable with their quality and reputation. I think the circular logo principle we discussed in class yesterday applies here--it's round and pleasing to the eye. I think this logo is extra fun because of how the inside of the circle is split up so much--especially with such bold colors like black, yellow, blue and red. The silver trimming around the colored circle adds a touch of sophistication, and makes the logo look shiny and impressive on the front of a car. I also like the Cadillac logo because of the mini flags that are created within the circle. To me, that makes me think very distinct adjectives about the company--powerful, luxury, worldly and a little diplomatic.

Gestalt Principle

After cruising around brandsoftheworld.com, I came across this logo for the Gnome Desktop project. I think that this logo is a great example of the gestalt principle because it is simple, yet it is visually attractive seeing that the footprint, when looked at from the correct angle, also resembles the letter "G". I thought that the designer's idea for the logo was very unique and eye-catching at the same time.

logo

This is the logo for AAA, obviously. I think this logo exemplifies 2 of the gestalt principles we learned about in class. It's use of color and repetition serve affectively. Granted the repetition is unavoidable because it's the company's initials but it's certainly helpful in the design aspect. Repetition helps things stick in people's minds and it also brings the design together. The use of red is very wise because red is a color that attracts the eye and causes the reader to look at it.