The first step in a re-branding project for the Howard Steamboat Museum website was to design a logo that better suited the client’s needs. After testing out several logos and branding packages, they decided they needed something that spoke more to the historic nature of the museum and its involvement in steamboat development.
The original steamboat silhouette was modeled after the Belle of Louisville, featuring the iconic steamboat smokestacks with trailing wisps of smoke to draw the eye. I provided two options for the placement of the paddle wheel so the client could decide which was more accurate to the line of steamboats they are known for. Additionally, the first four designs were duplicated with windows included for added visual interest.
I discussed the first set of logo designs with the client, asking for their thoughts and requests, if any were present. They asked for a way to incorporate the red color into the boats with the paddle wheel in the back, so I accomplished this by changing the wheel to the same red as the logo type on four of the original logos. Upon receiving the second set of logos, they were very pleased with number twelve.
After releasing their new logo to the public through social media, some supporters of the museum requested that the boat silhouette more prominently feature the swooping, swan-like lines that the original Howard Steamboats were known for.
To accommodate this request, I did further research on the structure of the boats in order to accurately portray this in a flattened form. The challenge was to display these curved lines from a side profile point of view, as they are not as apparent when you look at these boats directly from the side. To accomplish this, I changed the perspective slightly, bringing the front of the boat slightly forward while still maintaining the view of the entire form, most importantly the back paddle wheel. The new version was met with positive reviews from both the client and the museum’s patrons and is currently in use for all aspects of the museum’s web presence.
