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Logo Design Snapshot – Zulu Safari

Snapshot

This is just a snapshot of a logo and identity design I have finished for a project called, Zulu Safari. The Snapshot’s main purpose is to provide brief and to the point information on that design. It will be linked to the images currently existing in my portfolio.

Zulu Safari

The client is a family missionary, zipping around Africa and who needed an identity to distinguish himself. To try and modernise the sometimes antiquated perception of missionaries as a whole.

The challenge was to avoid any obvious cliché associations with safari, zulus, africa, religion etc. It was a potential field of cliché mines. Yet not to make it so clinical or generic to have no meaning at all.

After many sketches and head banging sessions, I developed this very symbolic icon that has several meanings and associations. Many subtle variations were considered.

The main logomark consists of the initials, ‘Z’ and ‘S’. Yet, when drawn in a certain style, creates the impression of a face, the eyes and nose.

Unusually, this logo often appears without the the logotype, so it’s a very symbolic picture, that at it’s heart, is full of history and culture and multiple meanings. People have seen snakes, some have seen subtle Zebra associations. It’s designed to conjour up these associations in a loose and friendly way.

This bottom image is used as a profile pic for twitter etc, so is actually very recognizable and very unique.

And breathe...

Article Posted On: July 2, 2009 by Graham Smith
Posted In Categories: Brand Identity, Logo Design Process, Logo design, Portfolio, Typography

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Nick Wichman says:

July 2, 2009 at 1:44 pm

Graham! I love it. It is so… iconic. I think this kind of design is what I strive for. I want to create more than just type with my logos. Wonderful.

I did a logo for a Ugandan Orphanage recently. I’d love to hear what you think! http://www.bethesdainternational.org/.

@nickwichman
Mike Rock says:

July 2, 2009 at 1:45 pm

nice – slight feeling the ZS overpowers when with the logotype
- Graham Smith says:
  
  July 2, 2009 at 2:04 pm
  
  Yeah, I know what you are saying. The thing is, the logo was designed to be used ‘without’ any type, as a standalone icon.
  
  So any type I do place, is more of a lable, and is purposefully small so that it DOES allow the logomark to shine.
  
  It’s not a usual logo in that sense, just a different way of presenting. Breaking the norm so to speak
Aditya Saxena says:

July 2, 2009 at 1:51 pm

wow! what an idea to come up with and then , reproduce it in a way so efficient. Nice job.
- Graham Smith says:
  
  July 6, 2009 at 2:42 pm
  
  It was a challenge, trying to see past the obvious… so glad I stuck with the initial idea. It was a huge challenge to make this icon just right.
Karyn Romeis says:

July 3, 2009 at 9:09 am

Speaking as both an African and a Christian, I’m so glad you avoided the cliches. They’ve been done to death! If the client is happy with the result, then it’s job done. Good on yer!
duncan mcduncan says:

March 30, 2010 at 5:09 pm

this is really cool!