Designing the pictorial mark for my brand, Ataraxia, was a challenging yet rewarding experience. I struggled with the creative process initially. I was unsure how to visually represent my brand in a way that felt both simple and sophisticated. However, once I started brainstorming ideas, the design started to take shape. The final symbol, combining the letter “A” with a snake wrapped around it, represents my brand’s identity and the exotic leathers used in our handbags.

Techniques and Tools
For this project, I relied on both traditional sketching and digital design tools on Adobe Illustrator. I started with pencil and paper, sketching out rough concepts before moving to digital software.

1. Concept Development: I first focused on the core elements of my brand—luxury, sophistication, and exotic materials. I knew I wanted to feature the letter “A” for Ataraxia and incorporate a snake to symbolize the exotic leathers used in our bags.
2. Typography Selection: I chose a font that felt elegant and timeless, fitting the high-end nature of my brand. I wanted the letter “A” to stand out, making it both bold and refined.
3. Snake Illustration: I began by sketching a snake’s head and body on Adobe Illustrator. I experimented with different shapes and positions until I found one that wrapped around the letter “A” in a way that felt natural and dynamic.
4. Refinement: After getting the basic design, I layered another “A” over the snake’s body to create the illusion of the snake wrapping around the letter. I made sure the proportions and positioning were balanced, ensuring the design would work well in various sizes.

Critique

Strengths

• Creativity: I feel the design is creative and clever, encapsulating the essence of my brand. The snake wrapping around the letter “A” is a simple yet meaningful way to combine the brand name with a symbolic element.
• Symbolism: The snake perfectly represents the luxury and exotic nature of the leathers used in Ataraxia’s bags, giving the logo depth and relevance to the brand.
• Elegance: The chosen font and clean design give the logo a timeless elegance, aligning well with my brand’s sophisticated image.

Weaknesses

• Simplicity: One of the challenges with this design is that it may be a bit too simple. While I appreciate the clean lines, I feel there could have been more visual complexity to make the symbol stand out even more.
• Realism: I initially wanted the snake to look more realistic, especially by adding scales to its body to give it texture and depth. However, this would have complicated the design, so I decided to keep it more minimalist. Looking back, I wonder if adding subtle textures would have made the snake appear more lifelike without detracting from the logo’s simplicity.