In our re-branding we needed to incorporate the well-known YWCA triangle for consistency and association with international affiliates, whilst still ensuring that the logo appeared strong and current. We came up with a brighter colour palette which, combined with bold, modern typography, gave the brand a fresher feel. The main logotype is made up of a single uninterrupted line, inspired by YWCA’s ability to bring separate elements and people together to create a greater whole. This unique logo continues off and around the page, representing the ongoing guidance that the YWCA provides throughout people’s lives.

It was a delight to be able to work with such fabulous organisation that helps our community so extensively. We were also commissioned to undertake a photo shoot to further develop the YWCA QLD brand, which you can check out here.

The logotype itself has been created from a single looping line, and can be read from either direction. We fed this ambigram into an ‘acoustic picture transmitter’ to create a number of Loop spectrograms. (For the uninitiated: spectrograms show how the spectral density of a sound varies with time.) To get the idea of layering and complexity across, we printed three of these colourful spectrograms onto acetate and then photographed them from different angles, playing with the lighting and placement of the spectrograms.

This identity was then applied to a range of collateral, including posters, advertisements, brochures and an animation for the Judith Wright Centre window display.

From the crew at Oblong:
Kellie, Tim, Emma, Gem and Leon.

Inspired by the creative layering techniques used by live looping artists, we created an identity that plays with the relationships between sound, time and depth. The logotype itself has been created from a single looping line, and can be read from either direction. We fed this logo into an ‘acoustic picture transmitter’ to create a number of Loop spectrograms. (For the uninitiated: spectrograms show how the spectral density of a sound varies with time.)

To get the idea of layering and complexity across, we printed three of these colourful spectrograms onto acetate. Then, with the help of the lovely Aj Moller and our very own version of smoke (blu-tac) and mirrors (coat-hangers), we photographed these sheets from different angles, playing with the lighting and placement of the spectrograms. The result, as you can see on the left, is an interesting and colourful image that could never have been achieved by just using the computer.

Held at Brisbane’s most beautiful venue, the State Library, TEDxBrisbane is split into four sessions with four feature speakers, interspersed with ‘brain bursts’ (short 3-minute talks). The theme was All you need is… with each of the four sessions focussing on a different area: to connect, to be open, hope, and change. The speakers were incredibly diverse but united by their outstanding success in their respective fields.

It seemed that almost every TEDx attendee agreed that Eva Cox, old school political activist and feminist, was the most compelling speaker of the day, despite the fact she was speaking via a terrible Skype connection. She articulated beautifully so many thoughts about the state of our society and how we could improve it, reminding everyone that “we need to remember we are living in a society, not an economy.” Her rapid-fire delivery of countless valid points certainly hit home—at one point the crowd cried “nooo” in unison when the video cut out, and gave her a standing ovation once she’d finished.

Another of our particular favourites was Mara Bun, CEO of Green Cross Australia, who spoke about the concept of inertia in regards to sustainability, shedding light on important facts about the consequences of our actions and how they continue on well into the future. Andrew Bartlett used his 18 minutes as a Q&A session with Mr. Hassan, an refugee from Afghanistan. Mr Hassan’s story was both enlightening and heartbreaking—if only something like that could get on national television! The final speaker was Jeff Waldman, who hangs up swings wherever he can in the hope that adults will come across them and rediscover the pure joy of childhood and the power of a push. He finished his talk with an uplifting and joyful video of his recent trip to Bolivia, a perfect way to end the day.

All in all, it was a fantastic day filled with great ideas and inspiring people. Fingers crossed we can attend again next year!

Photos from Flickr, taken by Mark Lobo.

It was decided that the Scoop logo should be drawn in a fat, freeform script, to suit the rest of our decadent dessert-themed branding.The process began with lots of rough sketches, to get a feel for how the type might flow. Once I was happy with the way the letters were looking together, I continued to draw, trace and refine the individual letterforms, concentrating on achieving a consistent angle and weight in each letter. Then, I scanned my final sketch and converted it into a vector, adjusting the letterforms as I went. Finally, I added colour, shine and depth to give it that Scoopy feel.

You can see the final product on our new newsletter sign-up forms. Shameless plug: Why not sign up to our Scoop while you’re there? Once a month we’ll send out a short and sweet selection of what’s new in the studio, Behind the ‘Blong posts like this one and even the occasional sprinkle of special offers.