OUGD503 - Stubborn Git

Stubborn Git is a company that distribute craft beers, they specialize in Belgian ales. The company has a wholesale side to it under a different name but Stubborn Git is for small orders to individuals. The client explained that he wanted the branding to be quite trendy and appeal to young professionals who have disposable income. He asked me not only to brand stubborn git but also propose a website design. Alongside the we design and the branding he wanted a series of illustrations. Although illustration isn’t a particularly strong skill of mine I decided to undertake the project anyway.

I began by putting together a mood board of imagery that was similar to the design style the client had asked for. This not only gave me ideas for the project but was an efficient way to communicate how I had understood the client's brief. 

One initial idea that the client requested was the use of a circular format logo that incorporated a bottle cap and buttons for the website that also incorporated bottle caps. I was dubious about this idea at first but pushed forward with it. I began by trying to illustrate the buttons both by hand and on screen but concluded that the best way to incorporate the bottle cap was by using it as a stamp (shown above.) 

Bottle cap buttons on initial web mock up.

Colour scheme taken from image of belgian beers.

I put together a rough style guide for the brand to see if I was on the right track. The client was happy with the type and the texture but asked for incorporation of illustration in the logo.

Type - After experimenting with various stencil and slab serif typefaces to try and achieve an industrial, prohibition era feel I decided on Futura. I feel this will be more attractive to the target audience and the simplicity suits the circular format.

 

Texture  -For the website background

I wanted to use a distressed texture to fit with the prohibition era style. I experimented with

a few colours but decided that using white and a light grey looked the best and was the least distracting. 

The top colour scheme is what I was originally working with. The client wanted to use a burnt orange so I made sure to incorporate this. I then used various shades of brown which I took from the colours of different types of beer. I discarded this colour scheme as I felt it wasn’t very harmonious and slightly dull.

I made a new colour scheme with two shades of orange and then 3 shades of grey. This was much more understated which I think suits the target audience better. 

As illustration isn't an area that I feel particularly comfortable in I asked for my friend to do some illustrations for me. 

The client didn't like the way that any if the illustrations looked in the logo. He wanted the stubborn git character to look snobby and debonair. I also thought it would be better if the illustrations were simpler.

Shown above are the web mock ups that I sent to the client. 

Due to time limitations I decided to try and illustrate the character myself. The client asked me to illustrate the character in various scenarios which would apply to various sections of the website.

Discarded page header designs 

I traced one of my illustrations on illustrator to make the logo symmetrical, clean and bold.

     

Logo Variations. Client is still undecided on the four designs directly above.

Shown to the right are some of the illustrations that I am producing for Stubborn Git. Although I have completed the branding and web design this project is ongoing. The illustrations are a work in progress. I will also be working with this client to design gift vouchers for Stubborn Git. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to complete everything the client wanted for the module deadline submission but I will continue to work with him and help to apply my branding to every element of the Stubborn Git corporation.