My brother was working on a web-app for a RedwoodJS Developer Competition.
He’s something of a computer wiz. Up all day and all night, working tirelessly on creating this amazing app with incredible features and functionality. I assisted where I could with UI/UX mockups/sketches, testing, and feedback. But it was still missing one thing: an identity. A logo, branding, a mission statement, etc. “You keep doing what you’re doing,” I said. “I’ll make you a brand.”
The key to creating a brand for someone else’s creation is to learn their vision, be open to feedback and criticism, and understand that making them happy is as important, if not more important, as creating a good end-product.
I guess that’s true with just about any task for any client… anywhoo….
The prompt:
The application already had a defined color palette, so I was to work within that.
What it didn’t have was a name, logo, or identity.
Name: something simple, easy to remember, easy to say.
Logo: monochrome, modern, minimalist.
Identity: the niche of this app is an event-hosting platform that boosts small business growth, and fosters communication between a community and its businesses. So something to do with that.
The name and word mark- “Yurtle” inspired by Dr. Seuss’ “Yertle the Turtle”
The design mark, with outline, matches the word mark.
The design mark, simplified with no outline
Example of an app icon.
Mission statement:
Yurtle, inspired by the enduring spirit of turtles and the community-centric ethos of Dr. Seuss's "Yertle the Turtle," champions the power of local engagement, inclusivity, and community. Our turtle logo, a testament to the values of deliberate exploration and sustainability, mirrors our platform's commitment to responsible community involvement.
Just as every turtle mattered in Yertle's stack, every user, event, and small business holds significance on our platform. Yurtle not only connects users with nearby small businesses and events, but also generates creative event ideas, fostering a vibrant ecosystem of event creation and participation. This homage to both the natural world and a beloved literary classic encapsulates our mission: to make every event a meaningful journey, and every participant a crucial part of the community.
See the Yurtle app for yourself here.
The Yurtle application/project has since been shelved. Perhaps at a future date we will revive it and begin beta testing with local small businesses.
Interested? Reach out.