BRAND IDENTITY// 

After working on my repeated patterns, I liked the silhouette look of the bike frame and parts which I had drawn. I decided to start doing some digital drawings on illustrator using the pen tool. I drew the outline to stair sets, ledges, rails, and ramps. 

All of which would be immediately obvious to somebody apart of BMX. I also became interested in the use of negative space and how it can be use to create abstract looking designs, or either represent two different things at the same time. For example in this image, each face is represented through the negative space of another. This is the effect I was trying to create by placing a white shape on a coloured background. I think it works well as the eye is immediately drawn to the darker colour.

I continued to mock up different compositions as seen above. By overlaying different shapes or arranging them into a landscape. I didn't like the outcomes as I felt they didn't clearly represent what I was looking for so I decided to use them individually again, so that they could be used with my images or other designs, to indicate which discipline of riding the piece relates too.

I looked back at my research of brand identity and how different brands represent themselves through logos etc. I wanted to create a stamp like logo which could be easily recognisable and relate my work together. Here are a couple of images I found whilst researching into logos. 

I really like the simple shapes and subtle typography. I don't think that the logos need anything to complex on as the simple ones are visually more effective. I also like the textural feel to these two, which gives the idea of them being stamped/branded onto different products.

 

Above is a book on symbols which I found online. All these symbols are created within a circle, I really like the black and white approach and use of negative. I want to create a logo in a similar style, as this will relate to the logos which are in use in the BMX industry and by having such a simple logo allows me to use it on a variety of work as it will tie in with most ways of working.

I then started to use my simple silhouettes within circles. These circles would give a continuity throughout them and if they were used on separate pieces, it would create a relationship between them all. I created a number of different logos for each style of riding, so then I could narrow down to a selection of three or, if I needed multiples of each style, I would have more than one to choose from.

I kept them black and white, as this would make them more subtle and sophisticated when blended together with my designs/images. I also experimented adding in a texture look to them. I really like these, and as you can see on the designs below, it makes them appear as if they are stamped onto the design, and less digital, which I think makes them more appealing as it contrasts well with the digital background.

I am going to leave these logos as they are for now, but I want to bring them back into my work in the next couple of weeks as I think they will help me link my work together well.