DESIGN NAME: Jellyfish
PRIMARY FUNCTION: Investment Firm Corporate Identity
INSPIRATION: The target customers of my clients are mainly located in eastern countries such as Japan, China, Korea & Singapore. Combined with a corporate name "Jellyfish" that was already chosen, it was clear to me that my inspiration would have to come from the east.
I conducted thorough research about the symbolics of jellyfish in eastern traditions and mythologies, mapping the differences between each culture and region, and learning the advantages and disadvantages (or more correctly, challenges) in its' reference.
My first findings were rather upsetting as most topics were about food where jellyfish symbolizes a powerless prey without a brain and without a spine.
I then decided to expand my research to cultural traditions and mythologies that are not directly related to Jellyfish, where I learned about Yin and Yang and about the basic elements of Earth and Water.
This inspired me to find the strength in my jellyfish, and through that to create a unique new creature that projects power and strength, and while still resembling the shape of a jellyfish, it no longer seem a weak, spineless creature.
I came across a Japanese myth about how the Dragon Ryujin sent the Jellyfish to bring him a monkey's lever to cure his rash, but when the Jellyfish returned empty-handed, the dragon in his rage beat the jellyfish so hard he crushed all the bones in the jellyfish's body, which is why according to this story, the jellyfish has no bones. Imagining the physical contact between the dragon and the jellyfish, I visualized in my mind a fusion between the two creatures.
In Chinese culture, the dragon is Yang, and there is a traditional blessing to a newborn child to one day become a dragon. This lead me to realize that I need to turn my jellyfish into a dragon by any means necessary. Learning how in Chinese tradition the Dragon is related to the basic element of water, the concept of fusion in my mind grew even stronger.
On a practical and simple level, the jellyfish is a water creature. On a traditional level in some eastern cultures, the Dragon is related to the element of water. The fusion between the simple and traditional on the basis of water adds an additional layer to the concept as it symbolizes loyalty and reliability, which are key values of my clients firm.
I looked at the dragon costume used in New-Year's parades. It welcomes the new year as a symbol of beginning and of prosperity. I looked at its head, how round it is, and at his tongue poking out of his mouth - and saw my jellyfish!
I knew that the fusion should be also expressed through colors. Inspired by red and blue, traditional Japanese colors, in my mind I assigned the red to the dragon and the blue to the jellyfish. The surrounding white circle is a symbol of beginning. A start of something new. A balancing perfection. My own Yin and Yang.
As there is no good without bad, no victory without loss - The jellyfish and the dragon have merged and united.
UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: As the name Jellyfish was a given starting point, I found the biggest challenge in creating a presentation that while resembling the shape of a jellyfish, has no qualities or characteristics in common. Trough study, research, inspiration and creativity I Eventually created a fusion of creatures and cultures, emphasizing strength and respecting my clients, their customers and their customer's cultures.
OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: The sense of the corporate identity I created is achieved through the total use of the design in all my clients media. In the logo itself there is a layer of hidden interactivity that is achieved through its' appearance. While some viewers may first see a jellyfish and others might see a dragon, all viewers will get a sense of power and strength from the graphics, realizing the projection from the fused creature I created.
PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started on May 2013 in Tel-Aviv, Israel. Ended on October 2013 in Tel-Aviv, Israel.
FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
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PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: From scientific drawings of jellyfish in professional literatures I learned the different types and shapes of jellyfish. Using pencil on paper I sketched my own jellyfish inspired by and evolving from those shapes & elements. The ideas on paper were scanned to my Mac where using a digital stylus, Adobe Photoshop and Illustrator I worked to simplify the jellyfish, transforming it to be more 'flat'. Lastly, I used Autodesk's 123D Creature and Meshmixier to bring the creature to realization in 3D.
SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: Products of my work consist of corporate style guide, logo, business cards, stationary, posters and email signatures. In addition I created a 3-dimensional model of the logo and printed it using an advanced 3d printer which allows me to foresee the marketing byproducts my client and I can create in the long run, such as USB memory stick give-aways holding the firm's marketing material and champaign corks for luxurious champaign bottles celebrating new customers and success of existing ones.
TAGS: Branding, Hand drawing, Myth, Fuzion, Creature, Poster, Logo, Art, 3D, Corporate Identity
RESEARCH ABSTRACT: I conducted an online research that consisted of thorough reading and study of cultures that were new to me. My research objectives were to identify the symbolics I could use in my design and that will best serve my vision's realization. I created a local archive of articles, stories, images and drawing that I inspected and analyzed on daily basis. I presented my clients with two options for selection, out of which the current design was chosen as-is.
CHALLENGE: The obstacles were the given company name that had intuitive and non-positive connotations and target audience from completely different cultures. In addition, to complete my vision's realization in 3D at my quality standards, I had to gain proficiency in 3D tools in a very short period of time. I created a product of quality and sophistication that my clients who are citizens of the western hemisphere, feel comfortable and confident 'wearing' for their business in the eastern hemisphere.
ADDED DATE: 2013-11-30 08:15:01
TEAM MEMBERS (1) :
IMAGE CREDITS: Image #No 1: Photographer Liron Leibu
Image #No 2: Photographer Liron Leibu
Image #No 3: Photographer Liron Leibu
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