20th March
I met with Penny at the Mammal Create office to explain my proposal and initial ideas in detail.
Progress
Action points
I met with Penny at the Mammal Create office to explain my proposal and initial ideas in detail.
Progress
- Researched existing tram networks and branding in UK
- Found the original tram line routes in Bristol
- Developed a modern network limited to 10 lines
- Initial ideas on developing a brand identity and network map
Action points
- Look at how trams can be run in terms of environment
- Research how existing networks use apps for mapping
- Investigate psychology of colour in terms of branding
- Limit project and focus on specific outcomes
29th March - Email from Penny with feedback from initial logo/network map:
Hi Scott
Thank you so much for your visual. It’s looking very good.
Initial thoughts:
The logo
Really nice concept and it works well large and small which is important for logo that’s travelling toward and away from you all the time!
I think you need more work to develop and refine it, as it’s rather a been-done-before device, you need to make it more uniquely Bristol Tram. Maybe work on the ascender – shear? Shear and add terminus blobs? Add or subtract parts? Chip into the bowl? How does it work reversed out etc. I’d like to see some detailed work on the logo independently of the map.
To be brutal, the type ‘bristol tram’ is neat but rather weak. I don’t think you necessarily need the initial caps here on the logo but I think there’s more work to do on the relationship between the type and logo marque as well as exploring font weights and letter spacing. Why not try and all caps version to explore the contrast and dynamic between the more serious/stern/sharper uppercase letterforms with the lovely efficient, fluid, travelling lines of your logo.
(See additional typography comments/notes below).
The map
Lovely clear and nice selection for colour palette ( be lovely to see some of these colours applied to the logo – even though vehicle livery may require a simplified palette).
Type is too small and general not strong enough. You have chosen a pleasing visual look with use of all lowercase but I think this, and the tiny size compromise clarity. Hang onto the the clarity and communication aspect of what you’re designing not just the appearance (hard I know!!).
This is s a travel map – think about being on the move looking at the map in a split second a s the tram arrives … it needs to be instant – whether it’s a printed map onythe wall or on your mobile screen – not time for scrolling or pinching the screen to expand! Test it out with friends and family…
ln (almost) other circumstances where you see these destination names, they have initial caps. I think this helps identification and leads the eye. Also consider, in a multi-cultural city like Bristol with many tourists visiting, aids recognition. (When travelling on the train in Japan, the more typographic synergy between guide books, maps, signage etc. the easier I could distinguish the unfamiliar place names.)
Very good work so far. Route map looking good. More exploration for the type and logo though. Any questions please ask me or Alastair. Have a Happy Easter weekend.
Top regards
Penny
Hi Scott
Thank you so much for your visual. It’s looking very good.
Initial thoughts:
The logo
Really nice concept and it works well large and small which is important for logo that’s travelling toward and away from you all the time!
I think you need more work to develop and refine it, as it’s rather a been-done-before device, you need to make it more uniquely Bristol Tram. Maybe work on the ascender – shear? Shear and add terminus blobs? Add or subtract parts? Chip into the bowl? How does it work reversed out etc. I’d like to see some detailed work on the logo independently of the map.
To be brutal, the type ‘bristol tram’ is neat but rather weak. I don’t think you necessarily need the initial caps here on the logo but I think there’s more work to do on the relationship between the type and logo marque as well as exploring font weights and letter spacing. Why not try and all caps version to explore the contrast and dynamic between the more serious/stern/sharper uppercase letterforms with the lovely efficient, fluid, travelling lines of your logo.
(See additional typography comments/notes below).
The map
Lovely clear and nice selection for colour palette ( be lovely to see some of these colours applied to the logo – even though vehicle livery may require a simplified palette).
Type is too small and general not strong enough. You have chosen a pleasing visual look with use of all lowercase but I think this, and the tiny size compromise clarity. Hang onto the the clarity and communication aspect of what you’re designing not just the appearance (hard I know!!).
This is s a travel map – think about being on the move looking at the map in a split second a s the tram arrives … it needs to be instant – whether it’s a printed map onythe wall or on your mobile screen – not time for scrolling or pinching the screen to expand! Test it out with friends and family…
ln (almost) other circumstances where you see these destination names, they have initial caps. I think this helps identification and leads the eye. Also consider, in a multi-cultural city like Bristol with many tourists visiting, aids recognition. (When travelling on the train in Japan, the more typographic synergy between guide books, maps, signage etc. the easier I could distinguish the unfamiliar place names.)
Very good work so far. Route map looking good. More exploration for the type and logo though. Any questions please ask me or Alastair. Have a Happy Easter weekend.
Top regards
Penny
Action Points
- Experiment with logo detail
- Explore logo type
- Map type needs to communicate quickly - size, caps etc
6th April - Email from Penny with feedback on map and logo:
HI Scott
Many thanks. Great – you are working so hard.
Fast first thoughts: you may be trying to refine/conclude design issues too soon. Take a step back.
Suggestion–have a look at different transport system maps. London tube map is very complex with zones under-laid but I still find it more legible. Collect for all major cities and analyse – type on an angle v type straight on, font weight, size, etc. Do a practical legibility test with people from different backgrounds, different ages etc, does a 72 year-old black guy find it as easy to read as a 14 year girl with limited learning or 29 year polish woman? You get the picture. Three attached to get you started berlin, London and Tokyo…
I think your original logo works but hasn’t been explored sufficiently. Spend 2 hours with it to see what it can become. Even cut and combine the two Bs – how might the old meet the futuristic?
Don’t be driven to get to the finish line too fast (I know it feels less scary to have everything pinned down but…) – it’s important to experiment and allow accidents to occur otherwise you won’t encounter fresh, unexpected ideas and coincidences. I didn’t design the MAMMALcreate logo to be little creature – it was an accidental exploration that I made into a logo.
As a client I would expect to see between 3 and 6 variation of ideas for the logo, not just one resolution.
I know this isn’t the easiest thing to do once you have your heart set on a look and feel but it’s an important thing to practice – adapting – as it happens a lot in designer-life!
Thanks again for all you hard work.
Top regards
Penny
HI Scott
Many thanks. Great – you are working so hard.
Fast first thoughts: you may be trying to refine/conclude design issues too soon. Take a step back.
Suggestion–have a look at different transport system maps. London tube map is very complex with zones under-laid but I still find it more legible. Collect for all major cities and analyse – type on an angle v type straight on, font weight, size, etc. Do a practical legibility test with people from different backgrounds, different ages etc, does a 72 year-old black guy find it as easy to read as a 14 year girl with limited learning or 29 year polish woman? You get the picture. Three attached to get you started berlin, London and Tokyo…
I think your original logo works but hasn’t been explored sufficiently. Spend 2 hours with it to see what it can become. Even cut and combine the two Bs – how might the old meet the futuristic?
Don’t be driven to get to the finish line too fast (I know it feels less scary to have everything pinned down but…) – it’s important to experiment and allow accidents to occur otherwise you won’t encounter fresh, unexpected ideas and coincidences. I didn’t design the MAMMALcreate logo to be little creature – it was an accidental exploration that I made into a logo.
As a client I would expect to see between 3 and 6 variation of ideas for the logo, not just one resolution.
I know this isn’t the easiest thing to do once you have your heart set on a look and feel but it’s an important thing to practice – adapting – as it happens a lot in designer-life!
Thanks again for all you hard work.
Top regards
Penny
Action Points
- Legibility test for network map typeface
- Logo exploration
26th April
Having decided upon a typeface (see Network Map research) and logo for the map and branding, I sent Penny my ideas before explaining the next step is to look at livery for the trams.
Hi Scott
Thank you for your update and for describing the lovely democratic way you selected a font for the brand! Yay!
All progressing nicely.
Do you think your logo brand palette is totally descriptive of a future-facing transport system? I realise you have a foot in history with the Bristol Bus logo and it is an elegant colour scheme … I’m not sure but I wait to see it applied to vehicle livery and staging posts…
Well done!
Top regards
Penny
Having decided upon a typeface (see Network Map research) and logo for the map and branding, I sent Penny my ideas before explaining the next step is to look at livery for the trams.
Hi Scott
Thank you for your update and for describing the lovely democratic way you selected a font for the brand! Yay!
All progressing nicely.
Do you think your logo brand palette is totally descriptive of a future-facing transport system? I realise you have a foot in history with the Bristol Bus logo and it is an elegant colour scheme … I’m not sure but I wait to see it applied to vehicle livery and staging posts…
Well done!
Top regards
Penny
Action Points
- Apply branding to vehicles and signage
- Evaluate whether branding colour palette works with modern system
3rd May
I had a meeting with Penny to catch up on the final stages of the brief. I explained that I wanted to refine the logo, branding of the tram and stops, a map, app and poster for the launch. She said that perhaps this is too much, and to focus on refining the brand itself.
Action Points
I had a meeting with Penny to catch up on the final stages of the brief. I explained that I wanted to refine the logo, branding of the tram and stops, a map, app and poster for the launch. She said that perhaps this is too much, and to focus on refining the brand itself.
Action Points
- Colour for logo/branding
- Vehicle livery
- Signage
- Map poster for stops
- App scamps
9th May
I emailed Penny with final logo idea and she was happy with the exploration and the decision I settled on. With only 2 weeks to go it was time to press on and get everything together for the final presentation!
Hi Scott
Good to see a bit more exploration - as long as it’s working for you – press on. As you say, not much time!!
Profile of tram looks very posh!
Thanks so much for keeping me in the loop.
Top regards
Penny
Action Points
I emailed Penny with final logo idea and she was happy with the exploration and the decision I settled on. With only 2 weeks to go it was time to press on and get everything together for the final presentation!
Hi Scott
Good to see a bit more exploration - as long as it’s working for you – press on. As you say, not much time!!
Profile of tram looks very posh!
Thanks so much for keeping me in the loop.
Top regards
Penny
Action Points
- Get the brief finished!