Hello, community. I should first introduce myself to this list. I'm a semi-long time exit relay operator. Although I'm still a newcomer, I have a few years of graphics design experience, I'm good with Linux systems and decent with servers, I do a bit of web development and design, and I'm currently learning Javascript. In addition, I can be useful when it comes to writing. Although I have a lot on my plate at the moment, I'm a big fan of the Tor project and I'm willing to help out wherever I can (whenever I can).
I have a total of 1 (one!) website, which is a Tor exit relay notice site (http://68.118.171.187/) that I've put way too much work into, since it's the only thing that I can work on as far as websites go.
I thought I'd offer some input into this discussion. As has been said before, we really should get a style guide going before we design any actual branding, logos, etc. I'm not too sure about where we're at in this undertaking, but has anybody tried reaching out to the EFF about this? They have a knack for good design, and they've done artwork for Tor before. They're never reluctant to help out the Tor project. Maybe they can help with this. Just an idea.
Now, in complete disregard for what I just said, I'd like to talk a bit about the logo. This is, I think, the most important part of our project's presentation. Once the style guide is finished, it should be one of the first things to (re-)design.
Marck Al's visual identity mockup is a start. Thanks for putting in some work, Marck. The onion layers concept is something I'd like to see be kept in the new logo. It's an homage to the design of Tor itself. I like the 'O' design. In a way, it gives an impression of the layers of an onion (which is the goal of this design, of course). It's alright, but it would be better to give more emphasis on the concept of layers. Perhaps add more 'layers' to the 'O' and make them less thick? I also like the way the layers get darker as they move outward, once again in homage to the way Tor itself is designed (more and more layers of encryption added as data moves through the circuit).
As noted in a post to the Tor subreddit (https://pay.reddit.com/r/TOR/comments/1vvren/green_a_good_colour_for_tor/), the rest of the logo is a bit generic. It's a bit corporate-looking as well. I prefer the rounded corners of the original logo's typeface; it gives off a more friendly vibe. As a sidenode, getting more involved with the subreddit about the redesign is a great way to get some discussion going and opinions formed.
I'm not much for designing from scratch, but I've attached a little something that I threw together which replaces the middle onion symbol with Marck's 'O' symbol. We haven't yet decided upon the new color palette, but I've colored it a nice earthy blue color (blue chill to be exact) for now. Inkscape SVG and regular PNG versions are attached. Don't be too hard on it. It's just a rough mockup. :)
Hope this wasn't too long of a message. Interested in your feedback. Regards, Robert
Robert Charlton:
Now, in complete disregard for what I just said, I'd like to talk a bit about the logo. This is, I think, the most important part of our project's presentation. Once the style guide is finished, it should be one of the first things to (re-)design.
I'd like to quote: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-23/tor-anonymity-software-vs-do...
In photographs he’s often with his laptop, and on the cover of his computer, a sticker shows a purple and white onion: the “o” in the word “Tor.”
The current Tor logo has years and years of recognition. It's the only thing close to a “brand” that Tor currently has. Changing it drastically is going to be a really costly move. I am really not convinced that it's worthwhile
I strongly agree with what Robert Charlton has said about logo. I don't think we should change Logo in the process of redesign as it is what people identifies and associate with. Changing logo might lead to confusion among many novice users.
In my opinion, right now our focus should be on structuring the site layout and make it easy to use for all users.
On 24 January 2014 14:35, Lunar lunar@torproject.org wrote:
Robert Charlton:
Now, in complete disregard for what I just said, I'd like to talk a bit about the logo. This is, I think, the most important part of our project's presentation. Once the style guide is finished, it should be one of the first things to (re-)design.
I'd like to quote:
http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-23/tor-anonymity-software-vs-do...
In photographs he's often with his laptop, and on the cover of his computer, a sticker shows a purple and white onion: the "o" in the word "Tor."The current Tor logo has years and years of recognition. It's the only thing close to a "brand" that Tor currently has. Changing it drastically is going to be a really costly move. I am really not convinced that it's worthwhile
-- Lunar lunar@torproject.org
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There is a middle ground: make the onion look more sleek, abstract, stylized, while still recognizable as an onion. Not too hard to do. Could make the logo (and the project) look less hobbyist and still very much be recognizable as an onion, as a derivation/evolution of the old logo, as a hint on the not-so-big-business-but-rather-grassroots nature of the project. And save everybody from the time bending, energy crushing black hole that discussions about all-new logos usually tend to become. That said: this is not urgent, this is not a show stopper, nothing else depends on it. One day, when the time is right, a proposal for a better logo will just surface. That day will not come before some other work is done and everybody has a good feeling about the project being on a good way. Let’s not fear that discussion but also let’s not start it before everybody is ready.
Cheers Thomas
(and sorry that I can’t really help because I have to finish my work on visionion first, which will take another few weeks/months/who knows)
On 24 Jan 2014, at 12:15, Shweta Agrawal shwetaa2015@email.iimcal.ac.in wrote:
I strongly agree with what Robert Charlton has said about logo. I don't think we should change Logo in the process of redesign as it is what people identifies and associate with. Changing logo might lead to confusion among many novice users.
In my opinion, right now our focus should be on structuring the site layout and make it easy to use for all users.
On 24 January 2014 14:35, Lunar lunar@torproject.org wrote: Robert Charlton:
Now, in complete disregard for what I just said, I'd like to talk a bit about the logo. This is, I think, the most important part of our project's presentation. Once the style guide is finished, it should be one of the first things to (re-)design.
I'd like to quote: http://www.businessweek.com/articles/2014-01-23/tor-anonymity-software-vs-do...
In photographs he’s often with his laptop, and on the cover of his computer, a sticker shows a purple and white onion: the “o” in the word “Tor.”The current Tor logo has years and years of recognition. It's the only thing close to a “brand” that Tor currently has. Changing it drastically is going to be a really costly move. I am really not convinced that it's worthwhile
-- Lunar lunar@torproject.org
Tor Website Team coordination mailing-list
To unsubscribe or change other options, please visit: https://lists.torproject.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/www-team
-- Thanks & Regards Shweta Agrawal +91 9007988075 ________________________________________________________________________ Tor Website Team coordination mailing-list
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thms/ao thomas lörtsch tl@rat.io tomlurge@someOtherServices °|´ ^^^
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Lunar -
Robert Charlton -
Shweta Agrawal -
thomas lörtsch