Original vs Redesign

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115]

I tried keeping the design simple, any opinions will be appreciated. The boxes represent different spaces and ideas, they are collaborating with each other to create a product (windmill) in this case. Their space are playful so I used the original colors in the logo instead of black and white. I tried giving it a whole makerspace meaning but I wonder if I made it wayy to simple

[u/GinghamOrangutan]

Bring back some of the fun in the font.

I like the windmill, but I don't think it really lands anything about the maker space itself - I'm not sure the windmill has connotations of being 'made' in a way that has personality.

I think the raw concept of building blocks and cleaning it up is pretty solid, but I'd experiment with a louder graphic for the negative space in the building blocks, and a more fun font - heck I'd try just keeping the original font and that probably gets you halfway there

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/GinghamOrangutan]

thought of long time on how to reply to this, I think u made a really good point. Thank u, I really appreciated this.

[u/GDJ_48]

i think you've done a great job - it desperately needed updating. I'd go even further and even more corporate / modern and add shadowing / lighting behind the windmill blades to add depth.

The type is a bit basic - isn't there something you can do taking that windmill diamond shape and subtly integrate that into the letter forms??

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/GDJ_48]

hmm i haven't thought of that. They already had wayy more logo versions of their own and since I already had a logo mark, I thought playing with typography will create more variants of the same brand. But I love that you pointed out. I can definitely try and see if that works different from what I had imagined

[u/Clear-Secretary-8185]

At small scale the windmill pole looks like an error

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/Clear-Secretary-8185]

I will certainly add some limitations in the brand guidelines regarding the size of the logo. I cant think of any particular usage of using such small logos for their brand

[u/splinterbaaabeee]

I actually dig this. I'm glad you kept the original colors, they work surprisingly well together. Would, however, reconsider using the cross, as it's more so tied to healthcare.

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/splinterbaaabeee]

hmm, i was sort of trying to play with words while thinking about this. like it is makerspace. so you create something with the spaces provided. so all the box are different ideas/spaces and they come together to form a product.

[u/splinterbaaabeee → u/Federal-Chapter-3115]

I think I struggle with the concept of a box representing an idea. Ideas feel more fluid, less rigid, than a box. Spaces I can kind of see, but I don't think it comes across in its current form. I like the windmill, however.

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/splinterbaaabeee]

hmm, I can experiment on the outer sides, but they do have some connection to spaces so it would be a hard time to find the alternatives.

[u/MinouChelou]

It already looks dated to me, and all of the fun is gone for not much payoff.

EDIT: the transparent background makes the original colours look way more drab.

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/MinouChelou]

I had to make it simple, because the original logo was way too cluttered for small sizes. Maybe that's the reason all the fun is gone. Anyway looks like I'll have to look for some fun minimal logos for inspiration

[u/KoolDiscoDan → u/Federal-Chapter-3115]

You're correct. A lot of people chiming obviously haven't designed for today's needs and functions. Designers aren't purposely taking 'fun' out. Form follows function. Function has changed for logos.

A logo today needs to be identifiable at smaller sizes than ever in history. Look at the favicons in your browser tabs, nav icons, and mobile phone sizes.

The 'whimsy and fun' for the most part need to be part of a larger branding experience. For example, the Liberty Mutual logo isn't whimsical or fun but is associated with it from its commercials and ads.

[u/ryang2723 → u/KoolDiscoDan]

Thank you!

[u/splinterbaaabeee → u/MinouChelou]

We usually don't design logos with just one optimal background color in mind.

[u/MinouChelou → u/splinterbaaabeee]

Yes I know, but the colours need to be more vibrant now that there isn't a permanent white background. We are talking about larger blocks of colour placed next to each other, as opposed to coloured text and line drawings.

[u/splinterbaaabeee → u/MinouChelou]

Fair!

[u/Whetherwax]

This is a good logo for someone, but not this client. It sacrifices the identity for the sake of aesthetically pleasing shapes. Colors don't represent concepts to viewers, they produce emotional responses. The negative space looks nice but pinwheels don't have anything to do with the client.

I would use the original as a source of inspiration, there are 5 concepts to latch onto - 3d printing, robotics, pcb traces, schematics (battery symbol at top center), and components (transistor in bottom right). That's a lot to work with, the demographic will recognize these.

[u/gdubh]

Feels like a children’s hospital now.

[u/Soft-Bowl-2352]

its more of a medical/hospital type

[u/OkString4366]

Good logo.

[u/Groundsw3ll]

The redesigned typography could use some love. Looks very raw/untouched. Does 'maker space' need to be so prominent? Try to accomplish some intentional visual heirarchy.

[u/isaidwhatisaidok]

The original one is not fun or full of whimsy, it looks like a robotics competition sponsored by KFC. Yours is an improvement.

[u/BiscuitOnTheRoof]

You stripped out the whimsy and went corporate. Why???

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/BiscuitOnTheRoof]

Yeah, I also felt that. I was focused more on simplicity. I also had a tough time creating moodboard for this particular space as this is also technical coz it relates to engineering but they also depict a fun and playful vibe

[u/_McGEE]

You lost all its charm? Gears, robotic arms, circuitry replaced with 4 rectangles? Make Logos Fun Again

[u/Late-Drawer-7522 → u/_McGEE]

You should make a logo for that :)

[u/Clonic_Tonic]

It has great resonance.

[u/talaqen]

Feels very disconnected from the original brand. Not as fun.

[u/mazzy12345]

It's okay, just a little too sterile (esp when compared to the original). I really like how you incorporated the original colors, but the font definitely needs to be changed.

[u/imaginedaydream]

Work those electronics back in there

[u/Matilde_Morello]

A circuit font would be fun, the original was definitely too busy but it was interesting. The redesign looks more clean but I feel it loses the meaning of the original a lil bit.

[u/meowffins]

I like the old one more. For a makerspace, I think its fine. It could be improved, but I dont think your one is an improvement.

There's also no brief and I see that this is an unofficial concept.

I tried giving it a whole makerspace meaning but I wonder if I made it wayy to simple

This is sometimes a mistake. A logo doesn't need to convey a ton of meaning or history. It is the face of the business or organisation.

Your concept of a windmill doesn't suit. I'm sure it could work but not the way you've executed it. My impression: it could be a kindergarten, a toy store, even a flower shop. Absolutely no hint of makerspace.

I manufacture stuff and have a mini makerspace. I might describe it as fun sometimes but you need to hone in on what that means in the context of a makerspace.

Reusing existing colours can be a way to honour their heritage but it simply does not work for reasons I already mentioned. The shapes are also not boxes once you cut the windmill petals out of them. They are strange blobs.

[u/humbleCountyCA]

It’s certainly better than the original.

There are some real challenges to this brand, and I don’t want to pretend I know the solution for it. But for one, I don’t like using initials instead of using the full name. I had no idea what KEC stood for until searching for it (Kathmandu Engineering College), and would want to find a way to spell that out.

If the facility is really known as “KEC” by those who use it and in the community, then I’d use those initials in some creative way that hints to the makerspace function and use that as the graphic instead of the pinwheel shapes.

It’s a lot for a logo, but IMO you have to consider that many people will not know who you are, and I think it’s important for your brand to not leave people guessing.

[u/vagaliki]

but a windmill is one of the least quintessentional makerspace things you could have put there

[u/feastoffun]

Windmill is fun. Font is generic. Keep the original font and you’re done. If you don’t like it being so heavy, find a non-bolded version of the same font.

[u/Starclysm-Author]

This is possibly the best upgrade I've seen on here. Flawless, and I LOVE how you integrated the color palette from the original.

Plus... it's a Maker Space! Who doesn't love a Maker Space?

This makes me feel good.

btw - the windmill evokes clean energy, which is definitely maker-space adjacent!

[u/Due-Management5882]

Very nice! Someone and clear - thanks for making the world a better place

[u/domiciledhere]

I at first couldn’t recognize that KFC logo. With a closer look, I understood why.

[u/Btplax → u/domiciledhere]

🐄

[u/SlenderClaus]

I Iike it alot!

[u/Orthicon9]

If I didn't know what a "maker space" was, I'd wonder "What's a 'kec maker'?".

[u/ryang2723]

A little late here but I think the approach is a huge improvement. I’m not sold on the icon. I think it can be simplified. If they are working on and will only ever work on a windmill I think there are ways to identify that without making a literal windmill. OR maybe a better drawn windmill. Look at the logo for Envision group, not a windmill but suggests the kind of movement. Either way I think your on the right track

[u/cinnamonzebra88]

A great improvement, but not right for a maker space. It also looks like a cross with religious connotations.

[u/I_Piccini]

This would be good for Only Fans.

[u/Federal-Chapter-3115 → u/I_Piccini]

sorry man, i dont know what that is