The current logo for Napoleon, Ohio has been in use for that past several years resulting from a crowdsourced contest, which I did not enter. Most symbols for city related institutions draw from two main symbols of the region, the Maumee river and the Henry County courthouse (which is listed on the National Historic Register.) As a personal project, I have long wanted to give the branding an overhaul and and here is the start of that effort.
Since the courthouse is prominently placed central to town and maintains high visibilty, I focused on it as central to my rebrand, capturing its essence using a thick lined, minimalist style.
Since the courthouse is prominently placed central to town and maintains high visibilty, I focused on it as central to my rebrand, capturing its essence using a thick lined, minimalist style.
Primary logo (left) and alternate mark (right)
I also took a vexillological approach and designed a municipal flag (Napoleon currently lacks one.)
I based my design on Roman Mars' six rules for flag design.
1. Keep it simple. (A 6-year old should be able to draw it from memory.)
2. Use meaningful symbolism.
3. Use 2 to 3 basic colors (defined as red, white, blue, green, yellow and black).
4. Do NOT include lettering or seals.
5. Be distinctive (or be related).
The blue stripes represent the Maumee River and Miami & Erie canal running parallel through the city of Napoleon.
The golden circle with the courthouse silhouette represents the opportunity afforded by Napoleon being the county seat and largest entity within Henry County. It is a subtle nod to the city slogan, "Heartland values, flowing opportunities."
The twin stars represent the dual industries of manufacturing and farming which were part of the founding of Napoleon. The first industry in the city was manufacturing for the neighboring farming industry in Henry County. The six pointed style is distinctly German as a nod to the immigrants who worked on the Miami & Erie canal and were the first residents of Napoleon.
I left the background white in accordance with the "use 3 colors max." guideline, and because it afforded a nice contrast with the other elements. I questioned the direction of the blue stripes, but ultimately kept them in their current orientation because they mirror the direction that the river flows in relation to town and when viewing the flag from left to right, they thematically suggest the upward mobility afforded by the "flowing opportunities" of the city slogan.
1. Keep it simple. (A 6-year old should be able to draw it from memory.)
2. Use meaningful symbolism.
3. Use 2 to 3 basic colors (defined as red, white, blue, green, yellow and black).
4. Do NOT include lettering or seals.
5. Be distinctive (or be related).
The blue stripes represent the Maumee River and Miami & Erie canal running parallel through the city of Napoleon.
The golden circle with the courthouse silhouette represents the opportunity afforded by Napoleon being the county seat and largest entity within Henry County. It is a subtle nod to the city slogan, "Heartland values, flowing opportunities."
The twin stars represent the dual industries of manufacturing and farming which were part of the founding of Napoleon. The first industry in the city was manufacturing for the neighboring farming industry in Henry County. The six pointed style is distinctly German as a nod to the immigrants who worked on the Miami & Erie canal and were the first residents of Napoleon.
I left the background white in accordance with the "use 3 colors max." guideline, and because it afforded a nice contrast with the other elements. I questioned the direction of the blue stripes, but ultimately kept them in their current orientation because they mirror the direction that the river flows in relation to town and when viewing the flag from left to right, they thematically suggest the upward mobility afforded by the "flowing opportunities" of the city slogan.
