Captaine Train Logo Concept
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Show and tell for designers.
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9 Responses
Interesting project this. Been approached by a young pair of chaps based in Paris to come up with a logo for their own online ticket booking system. Since SNCF lost it's monopoly selling French train tickets, it has meant that anyone with the desire can sell train tickets online.
Their focus is on total simplicity and ease of use, a real opposite to the website experience offered by the main SNCF ticket agency.
You can see a screenshot of an early prototype site with logo in place, gives you a good idea of what I have to work with :
Logo in context
It's still in development, but gives you an idea on how they hope to make the whole online experience simple and quick. They will not be selling ad space, so the entire experience is based on necessary information only.
The main issue was not falling into a 'captain America' cartoon mascot trap. They didn't want a mascot of any kind, thankfully. But they did want a logo that conveyed the sense of simplicity along with some kind of visual cue to 'speed and efficiency'. So really, dumbing down the 'captaine' rather than playing on it.
The logomark needs to be simple, clean, somewhat discreet and compact. The logomark will be used on the site minus the wording.
So this is my first concept for them. A streamlined train shape based on a few French trains, so it's more a hybrid shape. Kept the details to a total minimum, hence only having the windscreen to help convey the meaning.
The idea of the 'lines' was to try and get around the 'captain America' trap, but also implying superhero speed and efficiency. The italics for 'captain' also help imply this without using any cliche imagery.
It needs to be a sensible and clean solution, as it will be nationally rolled out, so an element of neutrality is required.
almost 2 years ago
Pro
Liam McKay
Absolutely love the logo, especially when seen in context. I love what they've done, or at least started with in terms of the design, and the vision is quite a refreshing one.
Fantastic project, and your part was executed very well indeed, nice one.
almost 2 years ago
Pro
Jason Vanlue
Yeah nice one Graham. Only thing I would change is the "r" in train - I'd just tweak the ligature so that it lined up with the "a" instead of dipping down. The rest of the word mark seems to flow together but the "r" currently throws me a bit.
almost 2 years ago
Looking good especially in context of the website. The blue lines remind me of the AT&T logo though but that's probably just the colour. Alongside the text it looks different enough.
I like the typography but I'd second Jason about the "r", it's hanging over a tad gloomily. Severe the arm and redraw it more traditionally I think would make the type look a lot more uplifting and friendly.
almost 2 years ago
Jason/David : Yeah, you guys are spot on. That 'r' is kinda odd isn't it. This is only my first choice of font, so have some others to try. BUt this is nice, it has a nice flow to it. But if we end up using this font, then yes, will be adjusting that rouge 'r'.
Font is Sone by the way. http://new.myfonts.com/fonts/soneri/sone/
almost 2 years ago
Liam : Thanks, it is a nice project. It's been great talking to the clients and seeing the work they are putting into this.
The web design is so very clean compared to many e-commerce sites, so hope they keep it as clean as it is now. Crucial data not withstanding.
almost 2 years ago
Pro
Gavin Elliott
Nice work Graham. Seeing it in context is great. Very refreshing.
almost 2 years ago
Rebound
Capitaine Train Icon Suggestions
by Graham Smith
After the initial logo concept, I have looked at the best way to create a French train icon that captures the many varieties of these streamlined trains. I don't want to pick on a train in particular rather to create an 'average' look.
At the same time, simplifying it as much as possible. So initially I have 4 train icons with 6 variations of the windscreen. I am not expecting that it 'has' to be one of these, quite likely further rounds of icon design will be needed.
Look at the logo concept in context on the proposed website :
Logo in context
So it's not my intention to create a uber realistic design, but a clean and detail free icon. One that when you look at it, conjours up the general sense of a French train, but also one that makes you feel that booking tickets via Capitaine Train will be a quick, clean, streamlined process.
Capitaine Train is not a train company, but a ticket booking company.
almost 2 years ago
Rebound
Capitaine Train Logo
by Graham Smith
A slight 'departure' from the previous train icon. Epic pun intended. Guh. :)
We have looked at a whole variety of train styles and profiles, as well as looking at ticket shapes, merging ticket into train, window icons but yet to find something that seems to work. Through the process, the client has realised they don't particularly want a train or a ticket in the logomark.
The client was keen to have some sort of coach/train carriage connection, as they sell train tickets, but don't provide train services. Although I can see the connection, trying to visualize the carriage only part of a train is a little tricky, as there really isn't much to look at. And I really wanted to avoid anything that look dull or flat or even motionless. To me, a carriage is nothing without a train, and evokes a feeling of an 'abandoned carriage' almost.
THE CAPITAINES CHAIR
So thinking long and hard, the idea of a single modern train chair came to mind. After looking at a great many chair styles, I penned up this version, a sleek, modern and comfy look chair. It's only a first concept to show the client the change of 'direction' and see if the general idea is worth pursuing.
The chair is what all customers use, it's the element that you will spend the most time in/on. It helps get you to your destination in 'comfort'.
But what I also liked is that is evokes a certain feeling of 'being in control' or in the drivers seat to a degree, facing the journey ahead. That this ticket it all about you, not a train full of random people. You have booked your ticket (via Capitaine Train ofcourse), you get to the station, you wait for the train then you sit down in the seat you might have booked. Now you sit back and relax. This is your ticket and your journey.
In Context
I guess not the obvious choice for a train ticket service, but I feel it's more than appropriate.
Reversed out version
over 1 year ago