DIONYSUS WINE & MUSIC BRAND IDENTITY AND MOBILE APP DESIGN
THE CLIENT
This app design was created as part of a proposal idea for a client who has recently become disabled and is transitioning into a different work structure. He has years of experience in the wine industry as well as an envious record collection and wanted to share his knowledge while promoting a private wine consultation business. The videos he is in the process of creating online will serve to educate viewers through mini lectures about specific wines and his views on how they could "pair" with favorite music tracks. These regular broadcasts will be uploaded onto the app and create an accessible library which also includes more in depth information about the wines and records discussed. The app has the potential to engage a wide variety of users of all age groups in various locations, thereby helping the client to facilitate a new work life in a way that suits his physical change in circumstances. The goal of the overall look and feel of the site was to reflect both the retro to contemporary span of music genres while communicating a fun, casual, and welcoming vibe.
THE PROCESS
I began this project by first interviewing the client in order to create a brief and roadmap for the project. I needed to find out what brought him to a place of wanting to create this new venture, what his vision for it was, when he wanted to launch, what challenges he felt he might face in its creation, and ultimately how I, as a designer, could help him to overcome them. Here are some questions I asked myself to help summarize:
I then spent some time researching other wine professionals in his area that were also marketing themselves for wine consulting and education. The client gave me some names to check out and I looked at how they marketed themselves online, what they offered, how up to date their website were (they were not), where my client could find a special niche. I then researched wine professionals located around the country who were offering virtual tastings online and other events on a regular basis. I found quite a few accounts on Instagram. I then went back to my notebook to settle in on a personality for the brand. I like using personality sliders for this stage.
Here are the conclusions of my research.
I then set about the process of creating a visual identity starting with a logo. I narrowed the brand and product into four objects/qualities and brainstormed some visual ideas surrounding each one.
Creating a mood board is a must. I like to work with both literal and abstract images.
I then began to sketch out logo ideas based on these themes.
The final logo design in two variations.
Some mock-up designs to present to the client:
Now for the app design. Here is my final paper wireframe. It took a few iterations to make sure the user flow was addressed at every point.
Here is the app structure created in Adobe XD. In discussions with the client, I created another variation of the logo without stroke. It helped to create a more contemporary feel.
Finally, here is the completed app design. Click the logo to view the prototype in Adobe XD.
