Inspired by the PEOPLEThe human body was the core of the inspiration since the cave man. It inspired him to draw the first ever hand made drawings, and it remained the same through out all the art periods and the history of creativity overall. The graphic shapes inspired by the human figures are full of grace, dynamics and sophistication and they offer a lot of expression approaches. So the art itself found it’s place in the graphic design niche as well, and the element of the body and movement offered a nice base for incredible logo solutions to. We meet them around all the time and some of them are really underrated knowing how hard it really is to achieve an high quality standard when replicating such a complex form. And as in every technique we talked about so far, the wide range from really simple all over to the super complex forms can be found and analyzed. Sometimes those logos offer the direct movement and strength messages but sometimes they are used to describe the subtle character aspects of the figures. Since we are involved in every aspect of human actions and behavior there is no boundaries when it comes to usage of this illustrative technique and designers love to reach out for the logo solutions inspired by the people.
Showcase
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Interview
CZ Custom logo was designed by
Jan Zabransky, very talented designer from Czech Republic. He is one of the busiest as well but he somehow found a spare second to join us for this interview, so let’s use that opportunity while we still have a chance!
1) Hello, Jan! Why did you decide to have a body figure for this logo and use this illustrative technique?
Hi Alen, illustration in CZ CUSTOM logo was intentional. First of all I want to introduce to reader background of clients brief. Logo was done for specialized on-line store of Angus Hobdell & Ghost Products Inc. E-shop is the home for all IPSC International Practical Shooting Confederation) and USPSA (United States Practical Shooting Association) shooting needs. Major part of the logo is illustration of Angus Hobdell – awarded US Multi Grand Master, 4 times STI/American Handgunner Shoot Off winner and multi-British & European champion. Handgun, he is shooting with on the illustration is CZ 75 SHADOW
Custom Shop pistol. This pistol is the flag ship of store product portfolio and it is presented by characteristic details and shape. So this brand is visually presented especially by portrait of his owner in logo, who is well known in community of customers and target audience.
2) Can you pick out 2 or 3 more logos from this selection and tell us why do you like them?
My favorite logo among this collection is definitely Roy Smith´s Yoga Australia. About two years ago it was one of the logos I saw and then “fell in love” with logo design and started my career as logo designer. Thanks for this moment of inspiration if you read this, Roy. Why I like it so much? It looks great, communicates subject to target audience, it is simple and unique! At first sight attracts and grabs attention by a smart idea with negative space, original style and well
elaborated execution. It is instantly representing subject to target audience. There are anchored answers in design, that immediately tells story about who, what and how. It works across all media, through all sizes. Design is so brilliant, that there is not even color needed to gain attractive look. And what is most important, it is unique logo, is good enough to stand test of time and will be recognized in competitive environment. That is why this logo is iconic. But all logos in your collection are masterworks. We should discuss why is it so for the long time. I let me pick two more from this selection that
I like very much. It is Gerhardt Bakery for great style of illustration and 4R for simplicity and sporty look.
3) Is there any special approach to this kind of style: do you use photography for a base, traced images, how does it work?
My approach to illustration is usually based on photography. As I have photo I trace basic shape into vectors and after that modify details, shadows and outlines. In case of CZ CUSTOM logo there wasn´t photo of Angus Hobdell in desired position available. I needed position of a shooter with attention on a pistol and face in this illustration so I searched through dozens photos of shooters on internet until I found it. In tracing and vectorizing stage it was hardest to draw shooters face recognizable as Angus Hobdell´s. There were modifications needed on a shape of a gun, too. That was important because gun has to represent specific model in this illustration.
4) Do you maybe know of some well known global brands that use the same style for their own visual identity, like NBA for example?
Redesigned KFC Colonel from 2009, AkzoNobel is beautifully done and especially some of US and Canada sport clubs logos from as you said NBA and NHL to NFL as well.
5) And at the end, as usual, feel free to share some tips to other designers that could improve their skills for this kind of logos.
Most important is study to draw, study anatomy of a human and animal body, perspective principles, shading and do a lot of portraits. Comic books are great inspiration for this too. It is a lot of time consumption work but it’s the only way to make realistic and good looking illustrations
