Sketches

Below are the sketches that resulted from the research, ideation and mind maps for Marrakesh, my city of choice. I was then required to post the sketches to the discussion board for instructor and peer review.

Modern Culture

Traditions

Geography

My Comments on the Activity

In what ways did you connect and synthesize the research to transform your work in a way that elevates it to entirely new forms?

I find that much of Marrakesh’s modern culture is actually quite ancient. Mosques and Middle Eastern architecture make interesting shapes that I’ve enjoyed exploring. I like the idea of transforming the shape of the mosque into a keyhole through which the viewer can peer into another world—and then using that keyhole to stand in place of the 2 A’s in Marrakesh. I think that idea may have possibilities and I’d like to explore it more.

How did you employ accurate and persuasive evidence of reason in problem-solving through your notations while rejecting less acceptable approaches?

One source described Marrakesh’s culture as youthful but, after researching it further, I haven’t seen that manifested. Until I see that youthful culture in other sources and how it plays out, I have abandoned the play and fast-forward icons and Beats headphones in my logo exploration.

In what ways are your solutions unique, or innovative, by comparison to existing logos found through research that represent cities?

The use of the mosque is central to the culture and more unique to Morocco than perhaps features in other city logos. Also, water fountains seem to be very pronounced and unique in the culture of Marrakesh and I’m interested in finding a way to perhaps make that work as well. I have not yet explored type styles, but I intend to choose a font that “feels” Moroccan and is innovative and unique in that way.

What technical skills or competencies did you acquire through this work?

I have found this process really liberating! I feel as though I have in some way reconnected with the younger me who used to love sketching and scribbling. Always when I sit down to design a logo, there’s a faint pressure and stress. But this stream of consciousness sketching feels therapeutic. Somehow, I find it stress-relieving and it is yielding good fruit.

Peer Review

Hello Dorothy Batts!
The logos that have been sketched out remind me of Airey’s Aim for Distinctionsection of chapter 3. “A distinctive logo is one that can be easily separated from the competition” (Airey, 2014). Logo 12, 24, and 38 all show distinction by incorporating “Marrakesh” into the logo itself. The way two buildings were used in place of the “A’s”, and the monkeys in place of the “R’s” is what stands out as a distinct factor to the two images.

One thing to think about is think small. David Airey (2014) states, “Don’t forget your design may also need to accommodate smaller, yet necessary, applications”. For the first 80 sketches, the logos with “Marrakesh” within, they seem they could be too large if they were to be shrunken down into a smaller size logo.

One last thing, “The simplest solution is often the most effective… simplicity also makes your design easier to recognize, so it stands a greater chance of achieving a timeless, enduring quality” (Airey, 2014). The line work and the way the logos were kept simple, they are all logos that would stand a chance of achieving timeless quality. Overall, the logos were very clear on which was for geography, tradition, and modern culture. Great job Dorothy!

Sources:

Logo Design Love, Annotated and Expanded Edition, Second Edition. (2014, August 20). Retrieved from https://ce.safaribooksonline.com/book/branding/9780133812589

MDMFA Grading Rubric:

Connect and Synthesize – Level 4

Dorothy did an excellent job by connecting her research with her logos and sketches. She was able to make a clear connection with Marrakesh to geography, modern culture, and tradition. I would give Dorothy a 4 for this category because of the way she was able to keep her sketches simple, yet not too simple to where the logos do not stand out. Each logo stood out and I was able to depict what they were for because of the way she clearly researched Marrakesh beforehand.

Accurate and Persuasive Evidence of Reason in Problem Solving – Level 4

I would give Dorothy a 4 for this category as well because she was able to show multiple examples of each sketch while keeping them all unique. Dorothy employed accurate and persuasive evidence of reason in problem solving by showing accuracy while staying creative at the same time.

Unique or Innovative – Level 4

Dorothy was able to stay unique and innovative through all of her sketches, which really show by the fact that she drew more than just the expected 25 sketches. She did not stop at what was expected, but kept her creativity flowing. I would rate Dorothy with a level 4 for her creativity and innovativeness because of the way she did more than what was expected, but her sketches did not all resemble each other. They were all creative within themselves.

Technical Skills or Competencies – Level 4

Dorothy did a great job of following Airey’s 7 elements of iconic design. She was creative with each sketch but did not go overboard. I would rate Dorothy as level 4 for her technical skills by the way she was able to keep her sketches simple, yet distinctive. Her hard work shows through her sketches.

Peer Review 2

Hi Dorothy Batts,

Overall, the designs created are very good and the way they expressed the culture in the designs is very apparent. The simplicity in the word logos were astonishing as they still portrayed the culture. The A’s in Marrakesh to look like the arches in Marrakesh building designs is absolutely genius. Most of the logos were relevant and incorporated tradition. The mint logo with the monogrammed M is very simple but incorporated something that Marrakesh is known for within their tradition.

There was some logos that weren’t so distinct, for example, the camel in negative space with Marrakesh behind. Going in and making the camel a little more obvious would help with the lack of clarity going on in the image. However, the successful execution on many of the logos with the fountain is very unique and can be seen used in small and large mediums. All the logos did show tradition very well and you have done a great job in showcasing it.

MDMFA Grading Rubric

Connecting, Synthesizing, Transforming Level 4- Dorothy did an exceptional job in connecting the research to the solutions. There were many unique solutions that could honestly work for any environment, mood, or season. Using single objects such as the water fountain or the man doing acrobats in the form of the letter K showed a creative and unique way to the solution.
Solving Problems Level 4- Dorothy showed different forms of the use of the images and they incorporated the traditions of Marrakesh very well
Innovative Thinking Level 3- Dorothy did an exemplary job when it comes to uniqueness in the logo designs. Although some designs were repetitive such as the namaste hands or the use of the star from the Moroccan flag, Dorothy did a great job implementing them in different ways
Acquiring Competencies Level 4- Dorothy did great in creating a new, unique, and improved solution while following the Airey’s seven steps

Airey, D. (2014, August 20). Logo design love, annotated and expanded edition, second edition [Safari Books Online Edition].