I'm stoked in a big way.
#1
@steem-bounty dubbed me winner of the logo design contest they recently hosted. Pretty sweet, right? What's better than doing something I love (design) on something I love (Steemit) to get something I love (Steem). Bam! It's a good day.
But here's the thing: it's not just about making pretty graphics. If you're an artist, it's about the journey. It's about expression and finding yourself within the process.
For designers, it's different. It's not necessarily about the "journey". It's all about the destination. Design is about purpose and strategic planning. There has to be a "point".
So when there's a "point" worth being passionate about, that's the stuff that fuels a designer's creative juices. That's what wakes us up in the morning. Which leads to the next point...
#2
Steemit is a platform that breeds loyalty. Why? Because it puts its money where its mouth is. It rewards content. It rewards engagement. It fosters teamwork and relationships. We lift each other up so that each day we're slightly better off than we were the day before. That's a cool concept.
Steem-Bounty is an automated application that highlights the same principles that make Steemit great. It provides Steemit users with the ability to integrate reward systems within their posts. Wait, what? Yeah, that's right. I'll say it again. It integrates reward systems within the posts.
What does that mean? It means that if you seek out or stumble upon a post that uses the Steem-Bounty tool, there's another layer of funds just sitting there, ripe for the taking. If that doesn't get your inner-viking excited, I dunno what will.
It makes life easier for the poster hosting the contest while also making the contest more enticing to the participants.
It's a win/win.
Bottom-line: I'm excited to play my part in what I'm sure will become a widely-used tool within the Steemit ecosystem.
That being said, I never officially created a post to properly display the Steem-Bounty branding in all it's glory. Chances are, the powers-that-be may want some tweaks, but that's okay. It just gives me a reason to make another post, haha.
So let's get this show on the road!
We'll start off with overall construction of the logo's icon. I utilized Golden Ratio mathematics to....what? You dunno what that means? Good. It gives me a reason to make another post.
Where was I? Oh yeah. So I basically used aesthetically pleasing math (yes, there's such a thing) to produce the lines, curves, and individual elements in a ratio that is proportional to...
...ah. You don't care, do you? Fine.
As you can see, the concept revolves around a rifle scope that emphasizes Steemit's upvote symbol. Users are encouraged to produce the highest quality content possible to be rewarded with the bounty that's sitting there in virtual space. The upvotes of the "owners" and the community are central to the system.
The Colors palette hints at the relationship with Steem/Steemit. The Typography choices are sans-serif typefaces that suggest a clean, modern style with a hint of character.
Creating a logo is one thing. Creating a BRAND is something else entirely. In my opinion, the better the logo can be interpreted with only ONE color, the more iconic it is. The more impactful. Think Apple. Think Nike. Often times, less really IS more.
To pull off one-color versions requires the use of negative space.
Now let's add some magic sauce. More color. Maybe a touch of gradient or opacity here and there.
Now we're cooking.
I know you've already seen the mobile phone mockup at the top of the post, but let's play with the branding a little more.
Here's a few concepts in how the branding might be utilized.
Well, thanks for making it this far.
In the future, I'll be sure to post some behind-the-scenes insights on my overall work flow, the software, and fundamental design principles that guide the entire process.
Now go do a search for any steem-bounty posts out there. Sound your barbaric yawp, and go WIN THOSE BOUNTIES!