Overview
We recently completed a Logo design for a vintage aviation company that provides flying lessons and apparel called Northwind. The name alludes to the wind of flight and a connection with the open skies.
Our task was to create a brand identity, including a logo, colour palette, and typography guidelines, for a vintage aviation company that offers flying lessons and sells apparel such as hats, T-shirts, and jackets.
Our design thinking
To kick off the project, we ran a virtual workshop with the client, engaging them in interactive tasks.We got the client thinking about what companies Northwind aspires to be, what the main problem they are solving as a business is, who the target audience is, and who their main competition is. This workshop guided our initial research and set the foundation for the project. We next moved on mood boarding. Using the workshop outcomes, we crafted a mood board with a muted colour palette and a blend of black and white with coloured photography. This exercise visually defined the brand’s intended look and feel. Once we were happy with the mood board, we moved on to the fun part… the design! The main challenge was to create a logo to suit both sides of the business. We needed something slick and modern that could rival brands like Northface, Shackleton, and Tracksmith, but also have the retroaircraft’s vintage look and feel. We experimented with many different icon marks and typography choices before landing on the final design!
The wordmark is Gotham; we chose Gotham becauseit’ssleek and straightforward. Its minimalistic yet bold aesthetic pairs well withaviation'sdaring, adventurous nature. The icon symbolises a compass pointing in the direction of the north. The flow of the circular design also represents the circular motion of aircraft propellers. This icon gives the feel of movement and direction. We created mock-ups showcasing the brand in different contexts to bring it to life. These visuals offer a glimpse into thebrand’spotential and how it seamlessly adapts across various other mediums.
Finished product
The client’s satisfaction was our ultimate goal, and we are thrilled to say that they were super happy with the outcome. Not only did they love the branding, but they also asked us to design their website and merchandise later this year. This positive feedback reassures us that we have successfully created a brand that not only meets but exceeds our client’s expectations. We are also excited about the future, as we look forward to continuing our collaboration with Northwind and shaping the brand’s identity further in 2024.
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