Bronze Cohort Design Contest
Logo Entry
Designation is a full-stack digital design bootcamp centered in Chicago. I had the good fortune of joining their second wave of aspiring digital designers, the Bronze Cohort.
Each cohort at Designation enters a class logo design competition. The Bronze Logo Design contest called for a visual identity that would signify our class’s experience as well as characteristics of bronze as a metal.
The winning logo would be featured on our cohort’s t-shirt and other branded materials.
I. Exploration
We began by mapping out characteristics of bronze. At each characteristic, we added on a descriptive adjective that would inspire images. Words associated with bronze include: transformation, monuments, and being in third place.
II. First Draft Entry
“The Bronze Age” and the tools that resulted from its advancements resonated with me after the exploration. It connected with Designation’s mission to master digital tools through first hand experiences.
I went on to create a computer mouse icon in the fashion of an arrowhead. The mouse arrowhead would knockout the Bronze Cohort block to show the lasting impression of a tool’s use.
III. Review
During the first draft review, the direction I was headed was appreciated but it is not strongly conveyed in the first draft. I decided to emphasize the aspect of a lasting impression, similar to patina on a bronze statue.
The endurance of a bronze statue over time would gather patina from external factors that would contribute to its character. As Designation students go through the bootcamp over time, they grow their own patina from their interactions with each other.
IV. Final Concept
By gathering lessons over time from others, the Bronze Cohort will transform into designers with character.
The circles forming a “B” proved to be scalable through the logo’s different media. They fade as it goes up and away from its foundation.
Thank you for viewing!
