What I Learned from Redesigning a Logo Using Heraldry

Have you ever wondered,
"How can I self-study the power of 'design'?"

Thank you for joining me again today.
I am Yuji Imai, an invention designer who creates new options!

　I felt that way when I was a high school student.
It must have been around 2003.

I will start with the conclusion.

There is 'value' in learning things that have been systematized.

There are many types of design, such as 3D, 2D, and spatial design, but what should one do to improve their fundamental design skills?
Or rather, what should one do to create
something cool?

Personal Experience

As a high school student, I felt that
just making things based on what I thought of
was inefficient.

Around 2003, I was studying abroad at a high school in New Zealand,
and I created my first personal logo in a design class,

It felt somewhat childish, and

I vaguely thought, "There must be some kind of rule for making things look cooler."

So, I decided to study and create it myself.

What is the coolest thing in a logo?
What I came up with at that time was 'heraldry'.

Europe and Japan have a history of heraldry, and since it has been systematized over time, I thought that

the secret to coolness might lie there.

The requirements I was able to understand at that time
can be summarized as follows:

European historical emblems created to meet those conditions
evoked a sense of authority and high status.

However, the more I researched, the more I realized that there were many things I couldn't use carelessly,
and I felt that creating one seriously and authentically would be difficult.
(There are rules about orientations that only royalty can use, and various other restrictions.)

But it would be a waste to give up here!

So, this is what I ended up with.
(It's embarrassing to show what I made when I was in high school, though...)

What I learned from trying this out is that,

・When you create something according to rules, the
visual impression is improved to a certain extent.

・Rules have history and meaning behind them, so
if you only imitate the surface, it remains just a look,
and it may not become attractive in a deeper sense.

・However, because I tried it, I understood the rules, meanings,
and the importance of cultural background and ways of thinking.

After that, since I have a Japanese cultural background, it became a trigger to think about
what can I do precisely because I am Japanese? and, beyond just the superficial appearance,

about the cultural backgrounds and ways of thinking of other countries as well.

Compared to the first logo...

The pop-style one has become more serious-looking.

Conclusion

・There is 'value' in learning things that are systematized.

・It is important not just to look at the surface, but also the ideas and cultural background behind it!

That is what I mean.
If you are interested in something, I think you should try it.
Even if you don't do it well, learning from actual experience becomes a valuable experience for yourself.

⭐️Thank you for reading today as well⭐️
⭐️⭐️I would be happy if you could leave a comment⭐️⭐️

P.S.

I haven't made any coats of arms since then, but
since I've been incorporating mottos into my designs recently,
I am definitely still influenced by it.

I have been featured!

https://note.com/kisha_koku/n/nafefb12d9639?nt=_4251392

Thank you very much, Mr. Kishakoku!