The making of the Odessa city visual identity

Overview   Process   Hi Res   Vector  

A promissing idea surfaces.

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Researching the concept’s potential.

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Preparing the illustration and testing its viability.

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It turned out too flirty. Making adjustments.

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Adding some more adjustments.

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During the process, more visual metaphors appear.

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Drafting a presentation.

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Art director: No, the shape needs more refinement.

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Completing the first phase.

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Preparing a presentation.

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Working on the text portion. Combing through old magazines and papers for some ideas.

odessa process lettering 01

First round.

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Preparing the short list.

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Approving the third version with the art director.

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Meanwhile, picking the signature typefaces.

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Showing the logo to a native Odessian, his reaction is: “It’s no damn anchor and no damn heart, it’s a protein bodybuilder with a giraffe-like neck.”

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Taking the comment into consideration and re-thinking the form of the logo. Studying anchors and hearts.

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Applying corrections.

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Fine-tuning.

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Art director: I’d like it somewhat brighter.

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The “native” comments concerned the text as well. Making alterations.

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In the same time, making the calligraphic composition. Trying different hands.

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The script is no good: too much drama. Attempting to make the line steady, calm, and confident instead. Done with writing and moving on to drawing.

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Scanning and sending to the art director.

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Drawing the chosen option.

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Art director: Good. But you need to bring “cc” to one size.

Type designer: Same for “ss”? Then D can be fashioned after the Russian version and I can be dressed up with a tail, otherwise, all these vertical lines are plain boring.

Art director: “Ss” does not have to be one size, since it can’t be read as Russian “Ssu,” not a particularly nice word.

Re-doing the “c.”

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Art director: The third from top is ok and the first one in English.

Smoothing up some details.

Thinking up extra style elements: the arrows and knots.

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Order a design...