Design Process and Visuals
I wanted my logo to be creative and show that I have bold and innovative ideas. I hope to have a job in a creative field, so being able to portray this was a number one priority. I came up with several ideas to express myself as a creative individual. I ended up using a whale with water spouting from it. The water I created looks vibrant and fresh. I emphasized this spouting water throughout my design, taking it from the whale and having it appear on each one of my pieces. This helped to give the whale meaning and show that it reflected my creativity. On each one of my pieces, I altered my original business card logo in some way. I think being able to vary the design was key in keeping each piece interesting. The whale that rests on top of my last name and is integrated into the waves made for a very fun, youthful design.
I also chose an interesting shape for my business card. I knew from the beginning that I wanted rounded corners because I thought they were interesting and rather trendy. The (almost) square shape that I chose is fun and innovative. The shape of my business card complements and frames my design to show its uniqueness.
Choice of Typefaces
I used Myraid Pro for my last name in the waves and Antique Olive Std for my name on the front of my business card. Although I altered the font in illustrator to work with my design, I chose this font because it most closely resembled what I was looking for. I wanted a tall, sans serif font that was clean and modern. I think it comes across as a very playful and approachable font. I used Else NPL Std for my contact information to contrast with the san serif. I always like pairing san serifs with serifs because it helps to give the design a bit more professionalism. Else NPL Std is a very pretty font with smooth serifs and varying strokes.
Choice of Color
I wanted my business card to be bright but tasteful at the same time. The two main colors that I chose were a navy (100/95/3) and lime green (47/0/100/0). These colors are often used to express nautical themes so I thought the two would work well with my whale design. Color was very important in my design because I used it to portray the bright ideas spouting from the whale. I used several different colors within the water to add a burst of life to my design.
Note: This is Melia's first project comment.
ReplyDeleteKristen,
I probably come off as really creepy because I always drool over your projects, but there's something about your design aesthetic that I really enjoy. Your poster project had this vintage, pop art vibe that I loved, but your business card logo has been my favorite work of yours.
What's so great about your logo is how versatile it is. You you can tear off the spout of water, position it anywhere else on your stationary set, and maintain this strong cohesiveness. Great visual gestalt- not only in the repetition of the spout, but in the colors as well. The first thing that struck me was the cool, saturated color palette you used. I agree with your rationale that it has a very nautical theme.
I'm very interested to know, why the whale. I used a robin in my logo because my last name is Robin-son. Stevie used a dinosaur in her logo because she wants to be a museum curator. What is the significance of the whale? I think it's adorable, but the only symbolic references to whales in literature that I can remember is when the whale swallowed Jonah and Pinocchio.
What will make your business card stand out on an employer's desk amongst dozens of other applicants, is the shape. Square is "wild and crazy" to begin with, the rounded corners just bring it over the edge. It's a very forward statement that you're unconventional, a little funky, creative and bold.
So, that's it. Great job, Kristen!