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.
One small note, the chair seems to sit so high compared to the Capitaine word, caused by that black seat and grey foot. Lowering the seat to the baseline might do the trick?
Ovan : Yeah, been trying to get that balance right. I aimed to have the tip of the chair curving up towards top of the 'C', so like a nice natural angle. Which I think looks nice, but as you say, it then makes the top of the chair sit quite high.
The shape of the seat appears to form a "t" shape too when I look at it, that's one of the first thing I noticed. I did like the previous version, but this one is very strong too and an interesting direction for it.
Really nice, at first I though "oh you should have stuck with the train" - but then it all seemed to make sense. Especially when you see it in context, it's a much more friendly/inviting logo for sure.
The right side of the "foot" of the chair is longer than the left side. Is that on purpose?
On the other hand, the gray parts look a bit blurry, but I guess that you just reduced the size of a vectorial version. Anyway, to be used on the screen at that size, a bit of pixel-to-grid snapping would make it sharper.
Maybe a window would prove to create even more of a friendly environment, but I'm sure you've tossed that idea around?
I also felt the same about the chair sitting to high and felt it was a little large for the type. Instead of trying to explain, I rebounded this shot. The height of the chair meets the height of the 'p' 'descender' (now ascender). I think the chair is more tucked in which stresses the comfort concept.
I love that you were able to push past the train concept after so much development and were still able to 'arrive' at yet another solid logo comp! That being said, the chair looks way comfy! I always enjoy your shots and explanations :)
Ryan : Just left a comment over on your rebound, cheers. :) By the way, any particular ideas on the the window? As in maybe using a window to frame/contain the chair, or top portion of it?
Graham: Personally I don't necessarily think it needs any sort of window. I think the inclusion of a window would make it difficult to maintain the flow and simplicity of what you have there. Ryan's suggestion is spot on!
@Graham Considering that most of the visual weight of the chair falls behind of the vertical bar, it almost looks like it would fall over to the back.... maybe it should be off to the other side?
With pixel to grid snapping I mean that the gray parts look blurry because of antialiasing. The outline of that shape probably fell on the middle of a pixel. Adjusting it to fall right between pixels would make it look sharper.
Graham: For the window - I feel like an open window 'seated' at the top/right of the chair could be an viable option. It's got to be an open window to keep with the friendly/comfy concept though. I originally thought a window with a lowered curtain would be cozy/private, but that would probably come across as cold/isolated.
For possible window shapes, you've done the extensive research/explorations I remember from here :)
I think the 4th shape from the top/left in the 4th column could be a nice shape to start working with, but I yanked a few to see how they'd look. Again, I felt a rebound was a more efficient explanation :)
20 Responses
Pro
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 2 years ago
Pro
Olivier Vanbiervliet
I love this one!
One small note, the chair seems to sit so high compared to the Capitaine word, caused by that black seat and grey foot. Lowering the seat to the baseline might do the trick?
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Ovan : Yeah, been trying to get that balance right. I aimed to have the tip of the chair curving up towards top of the 'C', so like a nice natural angle. Which I think looks nice, but as you say, it then makes the top of the chair sit quite high.
Will look at some options for this. :)
over 2 years ago
Great solve Graham. How does the chair look in all black? It'll be good to see this concept evolve. Great work :)
over 2 years ago
The shape of the seat appears to form a "t" shape too when I look at it, that's one of the first thing I noticed. I did like the previous version, but this one is very strong too and an interesting direction for it.
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Mark : The 't' was more of a fluke, and I saw that late last night. Did think about playing on it some more, but not sure on that right now.
Michael : Initially it was all black and looked OK (all black example), felt a few grey tones would help life it a little.
over 2 years ago
Graham: Yeah you're right, the grey tones work better.
over 2 years ago
Pro
Andy Birchwood
The arm rest seems a bit blocky... could you taper it? or maybe take the angle of the terminal on the top curl of the C?
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Andy: your're right, it is pretty blocky compared to rest of chair. Will tinker with that in next revision. :)
over 2 years ago
Pro
Vaclav Bedrich
Slightly perfect ;) as always. What font is in there ? I am not so sure about that and I love it.
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Vaclav : The font is Foundry Sterling Demi and book. Foundry Types
over 2 years ago
Pro
Liam McKay
Really nice, at first I though "oh you should have stuck with the train" - but then it all seemed to make sense. Especially when you see it in context, it's a much more friendly/inviting logo for sure.
Awesome work. Love it.
over 2 years ago
The right side of the "foot" of the chair is longer than the left side. Is that on purpose?
On the other hand, the gray parts look a bit blurry, but I guess that you just reduced the size of a vectorial version. Anyway, to be used on the screen at that size, a bit of pixel-to-grid snapping would make it sharper.
Cheers :D
over 2 years ago
Rebound
Alignment Rebound Suggestion
by Ryan Colgin
Maybe a window would prove to create even more of a friendly environment, but I'm sure you've tossed that idea around?
I also felt the same about the chair sitting to high and felt it was a little large for the type. Instead of trying to explain, I rebounded this shot. The height of the chair meets the height of the 'p' 'descender' (now ascender). I think the chair is more tucked in which stresses the comfort concept.
I love that you were able to push past the train concept after so much development and were still able to 'arrive' at yet another solid logo comp! That being said, the chair looks way comfy! I always enjoy your shots and explanations :)
</suck-up>
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Ryan : Just left a comment over on your rebound, cheers. :) By the way, any particular ideas on the the window? As in maybe using a window to frame/contain the chair, or top portion of it?
over 2 years ago
Pro
Graham Smith
Miro : The chair base was intended to be off like that, but not sure it works. When you say 'pixel to grid snapping' what do you mean?
over 2 years ago
Graham: Personally I don't necessarily think it needs any sort of window. I think the inclusion of a window would make it difficult to maintain the flow and simplicity of what you have there. Ryan's suggestion is spot on!
over 2 years ago
@Graham Considering that most of the visual weight of the chair falls behind of the vertical bar, it almost looks like it would fall over to the back.... maybe it should be off to the other side?
With pixel to grid snapping I mean that the gray parts look blurry because of antialiasing. The outline of that shape probably fell on the middle of a pixel. Adjusting it to fall right between pixels would make it look sharper.
over 2 years ago
Rebound
Window (Shape) Rebound Suggestion
by Ryan Colgin
Graham: For the window - I feel like an open window 'seated' at the top/right of the chair could be an viable option. It's got to be an open window to keep with the friendly/comfy concept though. I originally thought a window with a lowered curtain would be cozy/private, but that would probably come across as cold/isolated.
For possible window shapes, you've done the extensive research/explorations I remember from here :)
I think the 4th shape from the top/left in the 4th column could be a nice shape to start working with, but I yanked a few to see how they'd look. Again, I felt a rebound was a more efficient explanation :)
over 2 years ago
On another note, thanks for the mention and I'm quite obsessed with your Logo Clinic project as you may can tell.
over 2 years ago