Icon/logo overhaul

[raucao]

@5apps is willing to sponsor an overhaul of the current logo, so remoteStorage looks the best it possibly can, especially when we launch multi-backend support and an improved widget/connect dialog. We already found a good designer who's interested.

Let's use this issue as public briefing room. If anyone has ideas and comments they want to add before Dalius begins working on the first new version, please chime in as soon as possible! I will then update the brief accordingly, if necessary.

Project brief

Background

remoteStorage in a nutshell: users can tell Web apps to sync data where they want it, without the app developer ever hosting or touching their data.

Given the developer is using the official client library, users can choose between Google Drive, Dropbox or RemoteStorage. The latter is an open-source protocol that can be used by anyone to create data storage/sync servers. App developers can use this library to easily integrate support for data sync via these options into their apps.

remoteStorage is an open protocol, as opposed to being an open-source software package. It is similar to email in that regard. As long as your server speaks the remoteStorage protocol, any app that supports it can sync app data on your server. It doesn't matter what technology the app or the server are built with, as long as everything speaks the same language in form of the protocol.

If you want to see how it works for yourself, you can get a storage account at 5apps and try e.g. sharing a file with Sharesome.

Objective

The main objective is to improve the existing official remoteStorage icon/logo. It should be modern, professional and distinctive.

Requirements

• The icon needs to be recognizable as the remoteStorage icon, as existing apps and websites already use it. That is it should be an orange box thingy with the same diamond shape somehow.
• It needs to look good in both small and large sizes. (If necessary, we could probably create a responsive SVG and add more details for bigger versions.)

  Desirable qualities

• Convey the project's openness. (Currently it does that with the open-box metaphor. Personally my brain oftentimes doesn't see the box, though.)
• Convey the idea of interconnectedness (sync among any devices or apps)

  Assets

Existing assets of the current logo can be found in the logo/initial directory in this repository: https://github.com/remotestorage/design/tree/master/logo/initial

Questions?

If you have questions or any other comments regarding this brief, please add them as comments to this issue. Thanks!

[gregkare]

I like the new perspective so far!

[galfert]

I like the perspective better than the original as well.

[DaliusStuoka]

Gilli, I think those revisions look great! Works well in small sizes too, great job indeed!

[raucao]

\o/

Yay, we're making progress! :)

So the next question would be how to proceed with shaping it and who wants to do that. At the moment, the exact shape is a bit off, and ideally we'd have an optionally enhanced 3d look for large sizes in the end.

Most edges currently look a little bit like it's a thin ribbon, while the top left and right look more like a structure with depth. I like the idea of a nice ribbon-type finish with subtle lights and shadows. But I think whoever has the skills to finish the design should decide what to do, of course.

Edit: also, @DaliusStuoka you've probably thought of something long ago already. ;)

[gillisig]

I think it would probably best if @DaliusStuoka would take it from here. He is likely more familiar with proper branding procedures :)

[raucao]

In fact, @DaliusStuoka told me via email that he'll finish it!

[raucao]

I think we should close this thread and maybe have @DaliusStuoka open a new one for the final process.