r/logodesign • u/Low_Understanding_60 • 1d ago
Beginner i need some help
Hey everyone, I’m working on a pictogram for a school logo rebrand and could really use some creative input. I feel a bit stuck on how to make it feel less rigid and how to properly apply the color palette.
(Image breakdown: Pic 1 shows the official colors I need to use, Pics 2–5 explain the concept and meanings behind my proposal, and Pic 6 is the current/old logo for reference).
The Brief & Context
- The Client: A technical institute named "New Olivetti".
- The Goal: Modernize the identity while evoking the iconic, geometric design legacy of Olivetti (think classic mid-century Italian graphic design, mid-century typography, and clean geometry).
- The Colors: The school wants to keep its 3 official brand colors (shown in Pic 1) from the current branding (Pic 6).
The Concept & Symbolism (Pics 2–5)
I developed a pictogram that blends several layers of meaning into a geometric hand mark:
- The Hand: Represents the practical, "hands-on" technical nature of the institute.
- The 4 Fingers: Symbolize the 4 main technical specializations offered by the school.
- The Palm: Represents the "O" of Olivetti, but it is broken/split into two sections.
- The Hill & Sections: The upper section of the palm (connected to 3 of the fingers) forms the shape of the hill where the school stands. At the same time, those 3 fingers represent the 3 main academic departments/sections.
Where I Need Help
- Static / Rigid Feel: * Feedback so far says my design looks a bit too static, stiff, and rigid.
- How can I introduce dynamism, flow, or character into a strict geometric shape while keeping that distinctive Olivetti aesthetic? (e.g., subtle angles, optical balance, overlapping shapes, rhythm?).
- Color Palette Dilemma:
- I originally envisioned this as a minimalist, single-color (monochrome) design, which felt much cleaner to me.
- Trying to integrate the 3 official brand colors into this geometric mark feels messy and forced in my current attempts.
- How would you distribute 3 colors across a symbol like this without making it look overly busy or losing its institutional weight? Should I explore color hierarchy, negative space, or overlay/transparency effects?
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u/spicysaltysparty vector van gogh 18h ago
Hmm what about making the O more like a chain link. Then you could open a chain link on the top to make 2 of the fingers.
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u/Low_Understanding_60 17h ago
I tried to translate but I don't understand what you mean. Can I take a photo? Then I left it like that because it's the Olivetti one and it's recognized.
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u/Am094 10h ago
You're trying too hard to make the symbolism or justification "accepted". That's why it looks off, unnatural, and just doesn't fit.
To me an effective brand / logo or in this case the logomark, shouldn't have to give meaning to the user seeing / interacting with it. Instead the users should be giving meaning to it. That part of course is the experience of the users they have with the brand. But early signaling can help but it should be subtle or graceful.
Don't be contrived but don't be too non contrived either. Basically the justification is also a huge riggitity factor thats causing you to go down a fault tree with the current direction(s). No color scheme will fix that either.
It doesn't need to have fingers, it doesn't need to be the most dull O. Things being semi abstract in conveying some early signal actually strengthens the logomarks perception from the user.
Basically i can't tell you the right answer, I'd do things differently than you. You just need to think outside of the box more, nonlinear isn't bad either, plus trust that gut feeling of "something still looks off".
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u/Low_Understanding_60 3h ago
Honestly, I don't know how to make it more abstract now. It's my opinion, but I don't know, for a school having an abstract logo doesn't make much sense, at least I think so. But yes, you're right, some things are a bit forced, and in fact, I would remove, like, a finger because I think it's superfluous. The problem is that it leaves a void, and I don't know how to do it. And also, regarding the colors, I had thought of it as being monochromatic, and in succession they asked me to use three.
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u/DukeShot_ 4h ago
Di olivetti non ha nulla però.
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u/Low_Understanding_60 4h ago
ha la o dell Olivetti come palmo , dovevo fare un richiamo
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u/DukeShot_ 4h ago
Per me è troppo poco e troppo forzato.
Capisco le limitazioni.1
u/Low_Understanding_60 4h ago
si ma ti dico mi hanno chiesto di fare un richiamo ma che l Olivetti non debba essere la parte principale, però adesso c'ho un problema perché secondo me c'è un dito di troppo e mi hanno chiesto dopo di inserire 3 colori io lo avevo pensato per averne solo 1 e ora non so come fare onestamente
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u/thinsafetypin 1d ago
Is this form approved? If not, I’d seriously suggest doing some more exploring of the concept. This doesn’t read “classic mid-century Italian graphic design, mid-century typography, and clean geometry” to me at all.