I like to play with ideas over time, often it brings me to a point of design where I’m happy with what I’ve done and can move on to new ideas. Most of the time, I put an idea down without anyone else seeing it, and without saving the file. I think it’s a good way to play. Play is important in being able to come up with a good end concept.
The following images are little plays with the church name/logo I had from about 2010 to about 2011. With no set brief or organisational identity, it’s fun to play around with the ideas behind what things could be. I’m pretty crap at sketching ideas without a computer – so it doesn’t look as romanticised as photos of a sketch book. In each design I’m trying to get at a concept and play with styles which I personally would enjoy, not necessarily what would work.
Yin and Yang
With a high number of immigrants from Asia coming into Eastwood, I wanted to hark back to a potentially familiar symbol for many. Hence the ‘ea’ yin-yang feel. Of course Christianity comes nowhere near that idea of yin/yang with two equal sides.
Granny Smith
Eastwood is home to the Granny Smith Apple. My church has been an integral part of Eastwood’s existence for over 100 years with the local primary school being built on originally church grounds. This idea of an apple would be clear and present in people’s minds as they observe the logo, the claim of the logo being that the church is tied in with Eastwood’s identity (though it doesn’t have a symbol of its own). I thought this idea was okay but left it as it seemed to be more of an advertisement for the suburb than the church.
Eastwood Exclamation
As you will notice, most of these revolve around the name of the suburb rather than the church. This one particularly interested me with the word ‘Eastwood’ because of the way the letters combined. I liked the way the ‘t’ could be subtly interpreted as a cross (I don’t like this idea usually) and the ‘d’ at the end could be turned into an exclamation. Again it felt like more of an add for Eastwood than the church itself.
The Social Network
Churches are a bit like the first social networks. A group of people who would otherwise not come together, and probably wouldn’t hang out with each other except for their shared interest in Jesus. Churches are full of people from different backgrounds, different paths and many are heading in different directions. This struck me as a fairly strong concept and rings true at all levels of church structure. Lives intersect under Christ, unity is had where otherwise it would not be had.
Each line represents a life heading in a different direction. Some are of similar colour, all pass each other at some point. Chaotic yet unified, you will find all of this in a local church. Bright colours relate to the brightness and diversity of the community we belong to at Eastwood. The quite obvious red cross was previously hidden under layers – I preferred it this way.
