MDM620 Week 1:
Logo Concepts
My Top 3 Picks:
DESIGN RATIONALE
Logo 3: Oak Tree
with Round Frame
Design Decisions:
The oak tree symbolizes strength, growth, and sustainability, aligning with the brand's values of nurturance and educational value.
The round frame creates a sense of unity and completeness, while the visible roots emphasize a connection to nature and grounding.
The double wooden door in the trunk evokes a sense of wonder and discovery, resonating with the brand name "Wonder Wood's Workshops."
Typography choices: Orpheus Pro Bold conveys elegance and tradition, while Berlin Sans Reg adds a modern touch for balance.
Process and Research:
Competitor analysis revealed that many wooden toy brands use simplistic tree icons. This design differentiates itself by incorporating detailed roots and doors to emphasize storytelling.
Inspiration was drawn from imagery of ancient oak trees and fairy-tale illustrations, which helped refine the concept.
Visual Aid:
Why It is Strong:
Represents the brand theme of wonder and sustainability through detailed elements.
The combination of typography and iconography creates a memorable and versatile logo.
Logo 5: Fir Tree
Silhouette in
Negative Space
Design Decisions:
The capital "W" represents the brand name, while the fir tree silhouette emphasizes the natural and sustainable theme.
Negative space adds a modern and creative touch, visually engaging the logo.
Typography choice: Orpheus Pro Bold reinforces the brand's elegance and timelessness.
Process and Research:
Research into negative space logos (e.g., FedEx) inspired the creative use of the tree silhouette within the "W."
Competitor logos often lacked dynamic elements, so this design aimed to stand out with its innovative approach.
Visual Aid:
Why It is Strong:
It combines simplicity and creativity, making it adaptable to various branding materials.
The fir tree silhouette directly ties to the brand's focus on nature and sustainability.
Logo 11: Tree Rings
& Forest
Design Decisions:
The tree rings symbolize growth, time, and craftsmanship, reflecting the brand's dedication to quality and sustainability.
The dense forest and flying birds evoke a sense of adventure and imagination, appealing to the target audience.
The branded "W" adds a personal and rustic touch, reinforcing the connection to wood and craftsmanship.
Process and Research:
Research into tree ring patterns and their symbolism informed the design.
Inspiration was drawn from rustic branding techniques and nature photography.
Visual Aid:
Why It is Strong:
Captures the essence of the brand's values through detailed and meaningful elements.
The combination of natural imagery and typography creates a visually appealing and emotionally resonant logo.
References
Andersen, H. C. (1915). World of Tales: The last dream of the old oak. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.worldoftales.com/fairy_tales/Hans_Christian_Andersen/Andersen_fairy_tale_26.html#gsc.ta
Chen, C. (n.d.). Tree Rings and the Tales They Tell. National Park Service. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.nps.gov/articles/000/tree-rings.htm
Digital Synopsis. (n.d.). Creative logo design ideas that cleverly use negative space. Digital Synopsis. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://digitalsynopsis.com/design/creative-logo-design-negative-space/
Joseph, J. (2016). Negative spaces in logos: A how-to guide (for dummies, by a dummy). Prototypr. Retrieved from Medium https://blog.prototypr.io/negative-spaces-in-logos-a-how-to-guide-for-dummies-by-a-dummy-e37571908a1c
LinkedIn. (n.d.). How do you choose the right color palette and textures? LinkedIn. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://www.linkedin.com/advice/0/how-do-you-choose-right-color-palette-textures
Spelman, E. (2018). Into the woods: The psychological significance of forests in fairy tales. Medium. Retrieved April 14, 2025, from https://espelman.medium.com/into-the-woods-the-psychological-significance-of-forests-in-fairy-tales-2dbd9fa01c04