BARCS REDESIGN
COLLABORATORS
Unofficially: BARCS Baltimore logo designers Animal shelter logo designers TOOLS USED Google Image Search Adobe Illustrator The Noun Project Wordmark.it FINAL FORM JPEG Files |
PROJECT SUMMARY
I am now officially very behind on Creative Market's 30 Day Challenge to become a better designer, but that's not going to stop me from forging ahead- I'll just be moving at my own pace. The Challenge: Rebrand a local charity. It didn't take me long to decide I wanted to tackle a redesign for BARCS, the Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter. When I moved to Baltimore, I was interested in finding a volunteer position, since I missed that warm giving feeling I'd come to love from my involvement with Alpha Phi Omega in college. I also wanted to meet some new friends and pet some pups. BARCS was perfect! I trained to be a dog walker and a matchmaker. While I don't think there is anything wrong with the current logo, besides being a bit outdated, I thought I'd tackle this project more for my own learning. |
There were many steps in this process, so I am going to lay it out and walk you through my approach.
But first, if you're interested in output over process, here is a glimpse at the progression from the existing logo (left) to my version (right):
But first, if you're interested in output over process, here is a glimpse at the progression from the existing logo (left) to my version (right):
STEP ONE: I examined the existing logo and made three collections:
1) Logos for animal shelters and organizations
2) Logos for various prominent Baltimore organizations
3) Assorted images of animals (from The Noun Project) and pet adoption
Click to enlarge.
2) Logos for various prominent Baltimore organizations
3) Assorted images of animals (from The Noun Project) and pet adoption
Click to enlarge.
STEP TWO: I analyzed the collections and picked out attributes to replicate/improve
Shared Attributes of Favorite Logos
More square than rectangular Minimal color Look good in gray scale Font that feels timeless Images that aren’t clip-arty One clear identifying symbol Design that makes you want to look closer |
Main Focuses of BARCS Logo Redesign
Condense/Create square logo option Update font to be more modern Incorporate animals in more subtle ways Add Baltimore-centric elements? |
STEP THREE: I hit the paper
I did a lot of sketching to figure out how to convey the animals. And I'm not a great artist. But it's always easier for me to get started on paper than to jump right into digital design tools.
BARCS is mostly a cat and dog shelter, and within the dog population most of the dogs are classified as pit bulls. I do not agree with classifying shelter dogs by breed because of the detrimental affect it has on which dogs are selected for adoption, but in Baltimore there are regulations against certain breeds (including pitties) in the housing market, so unfortunately this system can't change.
Okay sorry, tangent. So even though the previous logo featured three types of animals, I eventually decided to focus on dogs and to keep their breed fairly ambiguous.
BARCS is mostly a cat and dog shelter, and within the dog population most of the dogs are classified as pit bulls. I do not agree with classifying shelter dogs by breed because of the detrimental affect it has on which dogs are selected for adoption, but in Baltimore there are regulations against certain breeds (including pitties) in the housing market, so unfortunately this system can't change.
Okay sorry, tangent. So even though the previous logo featured three types of animals, I eventually decided to focus on dogs and to keep their breed fairly ambiguous.
STEP FIVE: Back to Illustrator
![Picture](/uploads/6/0/5/9/60598659/7990444.jpg?336)
After playing around with a few options (and going down a very strange road when I started drawing a lot of cat and dog noses and tongues), I chose to feature my dogs in a way that conveys their vulnerability and sweetness- asleep, lying together, enveloped by a heart-shaped dog bed.
After some time getting it 'right' digitally, I ended up with this image, created completely by hand in Illustrator.
After some time getting it 'right' digitally, I ended up with this image, created completely by hand in Illustrator.
STEP SIX: Adding text
Wordmark.it is my go-to website for seeing all of the fonts* on my computer and seeing which would work best for my purpose. I tried a few, and ended up liking the timeless look of Futura best (3rd on the second image). I also liked the way the capital B curved with the heart and the S wasn't too narrow compared to the C.
*I know, typeface is the appropriate term. You're rolling your eyes. But there is a point where descriptivism wins over prescriptivism, so let's just get on board.
*I know, typeface is the appropriate term. You're rolling your eyes. But there is a point where descriptivism wins over prescriptivism, so let's just get on board.
STEP SEVEN: Final tweaks and the feeling of accomplishment!
I can imagine future iterations with color, like one dog is Ravens purple and the other is Orioles orange, or with the top dog replaced with a cat. I like that it has the potential, with sufficient exposure, to be recognizable by only the heart.