OUGD504 - SB02 - Logo Design

OUGD504

SB02

Logo Design

Information from Apple's Human Interface Guidelines

Embrace simplicity. Find a single element that captures the essence of your app and express that element in a simple, unique shape. Add details cautiously. If an icon’s content or shape is overly complex, the details can be hard to discern, especially at smaller sizes.
Design a recognisable icon. People shouldn’t have to analyse the icon to figure out what it represents. Take time to design a beautiful and engaging abstract icon that artistically represents your app’s purpose.
Keep the background simple and avoid transparency. Make sure your icon is opaque, and don’t clutter the background. Give it a simple background so it doesn’t overpower other app icons nearby. You don’t need to fill the entire icon with content.
Use words only when they’re essential or part of a logo. 
Don’t include photos, screen shots, or interface elements. 

Icon Sizes

Possible Designs

Top 3

Testing on different background colours

Against different backgrounds

From this experiment is clear the left side icon doesn't pop as much as the other two. This could be because the colours are too similar and there is not enough contrast. Also I am not able to see the orange detail in this logo. I will discard this logo as it doesn't work on such a small scale. The middle logo has a block dark background which struggles when the colour behind it is also dark (see navy and black). There is a lot of detail in this icon compared to the right hand side icon which could be its flaw. The right hand side icon is simple so no details are misconstrued. The colours contrast enough to stand out against most colours. 

Mock-Ups

Wave Icon

Swimmer Icon

The mock up shows that the illustration of the swimmer icon is too finely detailed for an app icon. There for the wave icon is the most successful and will be used as the logo/icon for this app.