FIRELANDES: A Logo’s Odyssey from Lab to Lifestyle
Recently, a close colleague and friend of mine achieved a commendable milestone: he secured funding for a groundbreaking scientific project named FIRELANDES. Now he needs a logo…
📣This article is a special edition, stemming from a personal endeavor that beautifully bridges the realms of Branding and Science.
First of all, Kudos to my colleague and friend for this success! 🎉 The project delves into the intricate relationship between climate change and escalating wildfire risks, particularly in the Landes de Gascogne area 🇫🇷. With such an impactful initiative at hand, the next logical step was clear: FIRELANDES needed a logo that would encapsulate its essence and mission.
From Concept to Couture: A Logo Worn with Pride
At the heart of this endeavor was a simple wish from the project director. He envisioned a logo that members would wear with pride. Whether on sweatshirts, t-shirts, or caps (the final decision was still in the air 👕), these items were meant to be tokens of appreciation for the team. More than just apparel, they symbolize a shared identity and a nod of gratitude for being part of the journey. Such gestures are quite common in the scientific community, binding members under the emblem of their shared mission.
Unlocking the Vault: The Sketches Often Kept Under Wraps
Given the intent of creating wearable pride, why not craft something that mirrors a brand while encapsulating the project’s core? The project’s name, FIRELANDES, presented a unique advantage. It wasn’t a lengthy abbreviation often seen in scientific projects but a concise, bilingual play on words. This brevity meant that the logo could stand alone without needing explanatory subtexts. The stars seemed aligned to venture into a “clothing brand” style design.
In a rare departure from the norm, I’m about to share something that’s seldom revealed when unveiling a final design to the public: the brainstorming trails. The essence of this article is to immerse you in the creative journey, so here are the different paths we considered (it’s out secret okay 🤫):
⬇From the top to the bottom⬇
- Logo 1: Drawing inspiration from the IUCN’s color palette, this design features the Maritime Pine, encased in a square, symbolizing a kind of a threatened status.
- Logo 2: The pine cone, which bursts open when consumed by fire, is the focal point here. Set against a vibrant red backdrop, the Roboto font adds a modern touch, making it reminiscent of a contemporary brand logo.
- Logo 3: Paying homage to the Basque clothing brand “64”, this design, however, leans more towards a French road sign indicating danger, cleverly alluding to the project’s theme of forest fires.
- Logo 4: A twist on the danger square, this logo introduces a hint of flame, evoking images of firefighter badges and staying true to the project’s core.
- Logo 5: The symmetrical pine cone takes center stage once more, this time being consumed by the fiery red square. A subtle touch of flame on the ‘A’ of FIRELANDES adds a playful nod to the project’s theme.
Logo to Lifestyle: The Unexpected Fashion Forward Design
After presenting the various design routes, both of us felt that one particular design distinctly stood out. This design not only encapsulated the essence of FIRELANDES but also perfectly aligned with the initial vision of creating a logo that’s both representative and stylish. Drawing inspiration from sportswear aesthetics (and yes, there might be a cheeky nod to “NorthFace”), the logo was refined to perfection. To ensure its longevity and adaptability, especially for textile printing, a comprehensive set of guidelines was crafted. The end result? A FIRELANDES logo that’s not just emblematic but also trendy enough to wear on any occasion. And as a parting thought, if you see FIRELANDES becoming the next big fashion label, just remember — we called it first, but only as a joke! 😉
Visual Annex: Snapshots from the Logo Guidelines
Just few examples of the guidelines
