This was a great brief set by an up and coming website. Codename:Shirley is a new online collaborative design and creative community. They are a platform where companies, brands and punters of all shapes and sizes can upload briefs for creative reprobates from the world over to pitch for and win. The brief consisted of branding and designing their website.
I enjoyed taking on this brief because there were no guidelines, I could think outside the box as much as I wanted and this allowed me to just go crazy with the idea. The term 'Codename' is often used in military cases when the mission is kept anonymous. This is a quirky take on how the site works; promoting the option to remain anonymous when pitching an idea to the client. I played with this idea by using 'Sherlock Holmes' in the logo. Using an egg(this relates to further ideas in the site!) with pen scribbles to illustrate the facial features.
The Website Idea:
By giving the website a theme this instantly makes it more memorable and recognisable. I sensed a very friendly team behind Codename: Shirley and it was clear from your brief that you wanted a website that welcomed users and offered a fun and creative environment to exchange design ideas. I wanted to translate all that onto the screen:
Theme:
I played on the idea that this website offers anonymous identities; as this is a big selling factor for the site. I decided to use a ranking system which allows users to become a little more competitive(positive competition!) when it comes down to pitching work. The characters which represent the different stages in the ranking system creates their 'temporary identity' and allows users to see who's credible on the site by looking at what character they are. This quirky yet informative system encourages users to produce outstanding work and socialise with others to improve their status on the site.
Main Typeface:
"Londrina" is a typeface that is quirky and fun which brings out the great team behind this project and speaks in a friendly tone to the users. It's almost hand-written style is informal yet professional. Perfect fit for this occassion.
Copy Typeface:
"Melbourne" is a friendly typeface complimenting the main typeface well. The condensed style offers an elegant solution to having large chunks of informative text, making the site easy to read.
Colours:
Light/dark orange: Orange is associated with joy and sunshine. It can represent enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, attraction and stimulation. A combination which works well to showcase a friendly, creative website.
By giving the website a theme this instantly makes it more memorable and recognisable. I sensed a very friendly team behind Codename: Shirley and it was clear from your brief that you wanted a website that welcomed users and offered a fun and creative environment to exchange design ideas. I wanted to translate all that onto the screen:
Theme:
I played on the idea that this website offers anonymous identities; as this is a big selling factor for the site. I decided to use a ranking system which allows users to become a little more competitive(positive competition!) when it comes down to pitching work. The characters which represent the different stages in the ranking system creates their 'temporary identity' and allows users to see who's credible on the site by looking at what character they are. This quirky yet informative system encourages users to produce outstanding work and socialise with others to improve their status on the site.
Main Typeface:
"Londrina" is a typeface that is quirky and fun which brings out the great team behind this project and speaks in a friendly tone to the users. It's almost hand-written style is informal yet professional. Perfect fit for this occassion.
Copy Typeface:
"Melbourne" is a friendly typeface complimenting the main typeface well. The condensed style offers an elegant solution to having large chunks of informative text, making the site easy to read.
Colours:
Light/dark orange: Orange is associated with joy and sunshine. It can represent enthusiasm, happiness, creativity, attraction and stimulation. A combination which works well to showcase a friendly, creative website.
