Creating the Logo and Website
London based freelance graphic designer Olenka Gibbs designed the logo and website for Ivy House Productions. We asked Olenka a few questions about her process and design inspiration for the logo and artwork associated with the Ivy House Productions branding…
What’s your background?
I’m a graphic designer with a background in web content in media. I worked as a web manager and in digital marketing before the start up I was at got acquired by Amazon and I transitioned into a designer – mainly visual design and UX. Now i’m enjoying freelance work and getting involved with some amazing projects such as branding, web design, print deign, mobile and TV apps and my own projects.
What inspires you?
It depends on the project I am currently involved with but I love researching and opening my eyes to small details you wouldn’t normally see. In every day life, books, maps, travel and friends are the solid sources of inspiration.
What was the brief for Ivy House Productions?
I was asked to design the logo and website for Ivy House Productions. As a new company it needed a fresh look and feel as a brand identity – an entity in itself! I spoke to Jessica and asked a few questions to get a better idea of the brand she wanted to convey and what she had in mind – this is an ideal way to find out the purpose of the logo, who she envisages coming to the website and a chance to understand the company. Some ‘buzz’ words that came from that meeting were: Leaf, Traditional, Art nouveaux style, Simple, Elegant – which was my starting point from a creative perspective. There was also a nod to the drama college the name was inspired by – a charming ivy covered building in Hampstead that holds a lot of nostalgia with Jessica.
How would you describe this style of artwork?
It’s inspired by the art nouveaux and Arts & Crafts movement with patterns and soft, natural geometrics. The font is an art nouveaux based font which is a bit more formal than the usual curly fonts which wouldn’t necessarily work in different sizes. We didn’t want to go overboard with the styling, but just take inspiration from that style.
What do you think the artwork conveys?
A sense of nature and playfulness, but also elegance and calm. The colours were a branding choice and needed to be carefully thought through to look ok o a screen (at the end of a program) and also on use on all the stationery. When designing a logo, it’s good to see it on not only a white background, but also on a black background. The muted colours then transfer to the website and everything else as a colour palette.
Where did the design inspiration come from?
Mainly images from Mucha, William Morris and a lot of looking at real life Ivy plants! There are so many types of ivy, it became a bit obsessive to find the right shape!
Why is branding important?
it’s so important to convey your company with the correct branding – it’s the instant connection, a moment to convey what your company is, it’s ethos, it’s form and everything! When it’s right you don’t even think about it, everything just looks right. It really changes the trust an audience has in a product or a company. The smallest of details, like a logo, makes all the difference.
If you could design anything, or for anyone, what would it be and why?
I have so many lists of projects just waiting to happen! A few things on that list would are… a pickle/ chutney brand, a wine bottle label, a garden(!?), a cookery book and loads more I am keeping under wraps. I’d love to work on more TV stuff as I am from a media background and remote controls annoy me so much, there must be a better alternative.
How do we get in touch with you?
Please drop me a line at hello@olenkagibbs.co.uk, or @olenkadesigner on Instagram. I really love hearing from people and want to get involved with collaborations and projects especially when you work with ace people such as are at Ivy House Productions.
Portfolio: olenkagibbs.co.uk
