REBRANDING WEBKNOSSOS
WHY DID WE GO THROUGH A REBRANDING?
10 years ago, we started developing WEBKNOSSOS in very close collaboration with the Max Planck Institute for Brain Research. At first, it was designed as a specialized software for a narrow problem space. Today, we are very proud of what we have achieved: WEBKNOSSOS is a highly advanced tool for visualizing, sharing, and annotating large 3D images, particularly useful for electron microscopy and neuroscience. Its development is ongoing and active, with a focus on expanding its capabilities, (for example to support multi-modal microscopy and time-series, see our roadmap), as well as becoming a more versatile tool for many fields of life sciences.
WHAT WE WANTED TO COMMUNICATE
We redesigned our brand to better reflect our identity as a young, experienced and innovative team. We are committed to advancing life sciences research through our cutting-edge and open-core product. We felt that the previous design failed to effectively convey these key aspects of our company, so we went looking for a new visual identity.
HOW WE DID IT
- LOGO & FONT
At first, we considered replacing our clover logo with a stylized “W” to better align with the name “WEBKNOSSOS.” This felt like a more logical and fitting symbol for our brand and would avoid any confusion or distraction caused by the previous clover logo which had no relation to our product.
After a brainstorming session with our whole team, three of us started making designs for a “W” logo. A lot of designs… until we decided that incorporating a “W” alongside the word “WEBKNOSSOS” resulted in a redundant aesthetic and that the “W” designs were not specific enough to our tool.
Thus, we decided to approach the logo design process differently, opting for a more abstract and open-ended approach. We eventually landed on the idea of using a simplified, stylized representation of a dendrite, emanating from a circle. On top of focusing on our tool and its origins in the field of neuroscience, this playful shape reflects the imaginative and creative team that we are.
2. FONT
To fit this logo, we aimed to find a highly-readable sans-serif typeface that complements the round and curvy aspect of the logo while also conveying trust and competence through its readability. We decided to go for the typeface “Nunito”, which also works well on the UI of WEBKNOSSOS as well as on our website.
3. COLORS
We then moved on to figuring out the colors. We wanted to show that we are not simply an average developer team, but one that has a unique style and a forward-thinking mindset. We narrowed it down to two options: one that looks original and unexpected for the science and research world, and another one, more traditional, but still fresh and modern.
In the end, we decided to go with the second option. Even though it was more traditional, we felt like it was a better fit for our company and the scientific research field.
RESULT
We hope that when you see our new brand online, you will think of a skilled and imaginative team that approaches the complexities of life sciences with creative solutions, all while never compromising on technological excellence.
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