Graphic Lab

This logo was created as part of a larger service re-design for a small-town youth centre. Scroll down to learn more about how this logo came together and see process images.

Goal:
Remind/inform people about the existence of the Graphic Lab and key brand components.

Audience:
People age 12-18 years old in Gibsons as well as influential adults in their lives (parents, teachers, counsellors, etc.)

Message:
The Graphic Lab is an unstructured art & design studio for teens.

Tone:
Hip and loose.

Strategy:
We created a mark shaped like a spray-painted dot as a referent to both art making and youth culture.

We chose the typeface Interstate because, as the official typeface of American highways, it conveys a sense of freedom. Furthermore, it is highly legible from afar. We tilted the text upward to create dynamism.

As you can see at the bottom of this page, one of the intended uses for this logo was to showcase the various design technologies (stamp making, vinyl cutting, button making, etc.) and branding options made available for free to youth at the centre.

The Logo Creation Process

We started with a visual exploration of themes related to youth culture, art, design and technology.

Deciding to go in the general direction of the paint splatter, we used some ink to physically create a few blots. We subsequently digitized them into vector images.

Then, we explored various grotesque sans serif typefaces. We decided to go with Interstate Condensed for its connection to the (youthful) car culture and sign design. We were also pleased with both its legibility and proportion.

Once the font selected, we explored various placement and angle options of the text on the mark. We also investigated using circular marks other than the inkblot (circle, cigarette burn, dot matrix dot), but decided to stick to the inkblot for its personality and dynamism.

The Logo in Action

As we mentioned above, the logo was created with the intention of being used to showcase the various branding technology available at the Graphic Lab. Find a few examples below.