Monogram/Logotype Research

Feb 2, 2021
3 min read

Brief

The aim of this module is to provide you with opportunities to explore external communication in an entrepreneurial context and the development of your identity and professional portfolio. It will provide you with an understanding of design concepts and methods to enable you to communicate information effectively within the multidisciplinary nature of design, including screen-based media, and allow for opportunities to integrate other specialisms such as: branding, photography and illustration.

To start off with this module the aim is to create my own branding identity. In the first lecture we were encouraged after seeing some secondary research from my lecturer to do some sketches of possible logo designs.

Examples from Lecture

National Theatre Logo, FKH Herion

This logo created by Ian Dennis (FKH Herion). Is very important to me because this logo was one of my first early influences in making me want to study graphic design. Two National Theatre posters from the 90s were up on the walls in my home. I would always stare at these posters and admire their artistry, the Logo was always an element that I admired and tried to retrace when doodling. To learn more about it for me has given me a very 'full circle' moment.

This Logo was created to replicate the brutalist architecture of the National Theatre. Dennis's design was very simple and it was chosen over his superiors more complicated design at the time. This logo influenced my original monogram (top left of my first page of sketches) which I have used through out school and until now. The combination of my initials on top of each other.

Mathew Hilton Studio Logo, Spin

This Monogram was created by SPIN for the furniture boutique, Mathew Hilton. This is a good example of a monogram a series of shapes used to create a logo, Here though you can see an outline of a 'M' and a 'H' within the shapes. The flow of the shapes is something I tried to incorporate when creating my own monogram.

Initial Ideas

My main idea for my sketches was that I want to create a simple style that I could use when writing my signature. So something that could be organic and natural. As I like to use less compute based techniques so having a monogram that is less structured typographically is something I would like to do.

Digitalised designs

These are the simple scanned and image traced shapes of my chosen logotypes.

Here is a development of my designs, I chose different colours and changed the stroke weight. However I was a bit stuck at how I was going to go any further. I decided to go ahead and do more research to find inspiration.

Further Research

These are just collection of designs I found on Pinterest which inspired me. I like the simplicity of these monograms none are too busy or difficult to understand. I then went on to look at profiles on Instagram of successful designers who are around my age (have only done a few projects and are starting out). I chose to look at the profiles of the designers who had won this year's The Design Kids Awards, a global competition getting young designers to display their best work.

Looking at their profiles there is a wide range of how they show themselves and display their brand. Some have created a monogram others have just used colours to show what they mean. Each of their logo's represent their work and who they are very clearly.

Continued Development

Possible Design #1

In this last image I used the image smoothing tool for my monogram. I like this monogram as it is a bit more abstract and only slightly resembles a 'PL'. I am still unsure on colours I chose the green as it is my favourite colour at the moment. However I think further down the line once I have properly decided what I want to put into my portfolio I will choose which colours seem to come across through out my portfolio.