Primary artwork design plan and concept considerationsThis short article discusses the development of a logo concept leading to a design.We begin this concept with the knowledge that it is designed in context for theUnited States of America, and that the country is in a state of watchfulness andreadiness as never before in her history.In keeping with America's most visible icon, we use the eagle as a basis sincenational interests are at stake. Departing from the traditional one-headed eagle weemploy a two-headed variant. This is for two reasons. Reason one is a symbolism ofthe twin towers which are at the epicenter of America's new wariness. Reason two isto convey a heightened state of watchfulness in all directions.The eye within the lens aperture connotes the technological element of theincreased surveillance which has become unfortunately necessary in these difficultand dangerous times. You will notice that the eye in the aperture is not wide open inthe primary image, but is instead partially closed.This treatment is to convey a somewhat covert feeling, but is also reminiscent (byvirtue of the half-open eye) of a statement made by a Japanese Admiral shortly afterthe attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941 ...which was unexpected, initiallydevastating to America's naval fleet in the Pacific and which took a toll on the moraleof the American public. That statement was;"I fear that we have awakened a sleeping giantand filled him with a terrible resolve"Admiral Isoroku YamamotoEmpire of JapanDecember 7th, 1941It should be obvious to anyone familiar with the American spirit that history is clearlyrepeating itself (in this way) in the wake of the attacks of 9-11!In the alternate example we see the same image, but with the eye / aperture wideopen. There is a 'glaring, big-brother look' to this which can be considered from twopoints of view ... one; Is the image to provide a 'threatening posture' to anadversary? and two: Is the image to inspire those at home without intimidatingthem?This evokes the question as to whether an image is meant to be aggressive orinspiring. Neither is wrong, depending on application ... both have a 'use' as such.Perhaps the question should always be; What is the 'big picture' and whichapplication serves the broadest range of uses?The bottom line, as always, is the choice, preference and decision of the end user ...not artistic difference, opinion or interpretation.Finally we look at the tail. There is one long feather extending down from the tailwhich is also not typical of an eagle, let alone America's traditional eagle depictionsin art and heraldry. The feather points straight down ...just as the lenses ofsurveillance satellites do! But most importantly it symbolizes the traditional long tailof the Phoenix bird ... that mythical bird who could rise again and again from ashesto be as strong, proud and beautiful as before.Thus concludes this short discussion about how a crest or logo can be created withdepth and significance. This technique cannot apply to each and every situation tothe same degree because not all situations will have the required history andmessage to convey. However the principle does apply, because a crest or logorepresents a unique entity ...and all effort should be applied to make the final artworkas intimately tied to the organization as possible.Design Concept 1Design Concept 2Design iconic version 1Design iconic version 2
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Crest & Logo Concepts and Designs Discussion
Primary artwork design plan and concept considerations
This short article discusses the development of a logo concept leading to a design.
We begin this concept with the knowledge that it is designed in context for the
United States of America, and that the country is in a state of watchfulness and
readiness as never before in her history.
In keeping with America's most visible icon, we use the eagle as a basis since
national interests are at stake. Departing from the traditional one-headed eagle we
employ a two-headed variant. This is for two reasons. Reason one is a symbolism of
the twin towers which are at the epicenter of America's new wariness. Reason two is
to convey a heightened state of watchfulness in all directions.
The eye within the lens aperture connotes the technological element of the
increased surveillance which has become unfortunately necessary in these difficult
and dangerous times. You will notice that the eye in the aperture is not wide open in
the primary image, but is instead partially closed.
This treatment is to convey a somewhat covert feeling, but is also reminiscent (by
virtue of the half-open eye) of a statement made by a Japanese Admiral shortly after
the attack on Pearl Harbor December 7th, 1941 ...which was unexpected, initially
devastating to America's naval fleet in the Pacific and which took a toll on the morale
of the American public. That statement was;
"I fear that we have awakened a sleeping giant
and filled him with a terrible resolve"
Admiral Isoroku Yamamoto
Empire of Japan
December 7th, 1941
It should be obvious to anyone familiar with the American spirit that history is clearly
repeating itself (in this way) in the wake of the attacks of 9-11!
In the alternate example we see the same image, but with the eye / aperture wide
open. There is a 'glaring, big-brother look' to this which can be considered from two
points of view ... one; Is the image to provide a 'threatening posture' to an
adversary? and two: Is the image to inspire those at home without intimidating
them?
This evokes the question as to whether an image is meant to be aggressive or
inspiring. Neither is wrong, depending on application ... both have a 'use' as such.
Perhaps the question should always be; What is the 'big picture' and which
application serves the broadest range of uses?
The bottom line, as always, is the choice, preference and decision of the end user ...
not artistic difference, opinion or interpretation.
Finally we look at the tail. There is one long feather extending down from the tail
which is also not typical of an eagle, let alone America's traditional eagle depictions
in art and heraldry. The feather points straight down ...just as the lenses of
surveillance satellites do! But most importantly it symbolizes the traditional long tail
of the Phoenix bird ... that mythical bird who could rise again and again from ashes
to be as strong, proud and beautiful as before.
Thus concludes this short discussion about how a crest or logo can be created with
depth and significance. This technique cannot apply to each and every situation to
the same degree because not all situations will have the required history and
message to convey. However the principle does apply, because a crest or logo
represents a unique entity ...and all effort should be applied to make the final artwork
as intimately tied to the organization as possible.
Design Concept 1
Design Concept 2
Design iconic version 1
Design iconic version 2
