RKIVAL D E S I G N 3 4 0 / G R A P H I C I D E N T I T Y / S H AY N E S M I T H
RESEARCH
BRIEF Rkival (pronounced as “archival�) is a new software program that utilizes proprietary technology that increases compression exponentially. Rkival allows its users to organize their collection of media files efficiently. The program and app also introduces a unique cataloging and inventory interface that appeals to the modern user. It works with laptops, iPads, iPhones and MP3 car stereos. Marketed to a young, tech-savvy audience with major storage needs for music, video and other related media files, this program and app is simple to use but is also identified graphically as energetic, exciting and cultish yet still easily identified and deciphered. The management feature of this program and app prides in the ability to work seamlessly on multiple devices. Once a song file is added to Rkival, for example, the user would be able to play the song in their laptop as well as their iPad, iPhone and MP3 car stereo. Rkival acts as a digital cloud file system that specializes in media files. When installing Rkival, first-time users will have the option to transfer their files to Rkival from iTunes, Google Play, or from a specific folder on their computer or device. Storing your files on this program is a safe and reliable method and also acts as a way to back-up your media files.
WORDLIST MOOD
ARCHIVE
APPS
SEARCH FOR TECHNOLOGY:
technical
storage
compression
software, program, files, computer, devices, storage, cloud,
energetic
catalog
connection
apps, security, database, data, folders, music, video, media
exciting
music
communication
cultish
video
interaction
SEARCH FOR MOOD:
sharp
media
engaging
technical, cultish, geometric, symbolism, rebel, youthful,
modern
collection
reduction
modern, simple, compressed, secure, exciting, energetic
youthful
possessions
simplify
rebel
files
mobile
SEARCH FOR IMAGERY:
simple
management
functional
shield, lock, tech, media, connection, archive, compression,
secure
back-up
user-based
connection, interaction, communication, mobile, engaging
BRIEF & WORDLIST
03
RESEARCH
COMPARATIVE STUDY Other logos for software programs or media apps.
COMPARATIVE STUDY
05
RESEARCH
REFERENTIAL IMAGERY Images that reflect the topic and interfaces of what target users are conditioned to look at.
REFERENTIAL IMAGERY
07
RESEARCH
MOODBOARD Images that portray the mood of Rkival and inspire its graphic identity further.
MOODBOARD
09
IDEATION
SYMBOL SKETCHES Initial ideation of the symbol/icon for Rkival.
SYMBOL SKETCHES
11
IDEATION
SYMBOL REFINEMENT Digital refinements of the Rkival symbol.
SYMBOL REFINEMENT
13
PROGRESS
SYMBOL FINALISTS The top three symbol solutions with aesthetically-appropriate titles. 1. This symbol involves a 3D box that represents the collection of media files one would have contained or compressed in the software program Rkival. This 3D box had been recreated in multiple ways, but through rotating my final recreation in a series of 45-degree intervals I found at -90 degrees the 3D box also resembled a shield. The imagery of a shield corresponds to the security a user would experience with their files when using Rkival. I changed the right side of the box to lines in order to enhance the shield as well as open up the 3D box as if it is full of files. This simultaneous representation solidifies the idea and portrays it as a kind of surprise. 2. The idea started out with the concept of connection and integration of different devices through showing four different arrows/triangles pointing at each other as if they are connected and interacting with each other. The colors make this simple shape energetic and bright. 3. From playing with a line-art piece, I formed the letter R (for the first letter in Rkival). Then I added different bright, exciting colors to enhance the 3D effect. I found this shape looked good on top of a rounded corner box like an app icon as well as by itself. This symbol fits the mood as being modern, geometric, youthful, cultish and exciting.
SYMBOL FINALISTS
15
IDEATION
TYPOGRAPHIC IDEATION Sketches and digital refinements of the typographic logo.
TYPOGRAPHIC IDEATION
17
IDEATION
TYPOGRAPHIC IDEATION Even more digital refinements of the typographic logo.
TYPOGRAPHIC IDEATION
19
PROGRESS
TYPOGRAPHIC FINALISTS The top three typographic solutions. These logo v ariations each have their own unique take on the title Rkival. All of them use visual relationships within the lettering. 1. A consecutive right-triangle shape in the letters is repea ted in this logo. First seen in the negative space of the letter R, it is repeated in the negative space in the K, the V, and the counter of the A. The type is partially slanted with emphasis on the R. 2. The second variation connects the letters with a line down the middle. There is a lot of symmetry happening within the letters as well as some asymmetry. The V and A, for example, are identical but flipped, where the line down the middle also is the crossbar of the A. The K and I are perfectly symmetric vertically and the R and L are asymmetrical. 3. The third typographic logo relates the letterforms together through geometry. There is a relationship between the r and l and the V and A because they are the same shapes but reflected vertically. There is a relationship between the K to the V and A in the angles of the K’s arms and the angles of the V and A.
TYPOGRAPHIC FINALISTS
21
IDEATION
COMBINATION IDEATION Digital ideation of the combination mark.
COMBINATION IDEATION
23
IDEATION
COMBINATION IDEATION Even more digital ideation of the combination mark.
COMBINATION IDEATION
25
PROGRESS
COMBINATION FINALISTS The top three combination mark solutions. As combination marks (type with integrated symbol), these variations have their own representation. 1. The first c ombination mark depicts a stack of files as to relate to the idea of collecting your media files on the software program, Rkival. The colors of the files are brought to a 80% opacity and the colors are also put into the I and L of the type. 2. I used the symbol of the 3D box / shield to create a combination mark. The symbol represents a box more in this one, where the title is coming out of the box. The type is stylized in a way to connect with the lines of the box. A suggestion of motion is portrayed in this logo. 3. The third combination mark has a distinctive style in both the lettering and the graphics. Although it may be hard to read, that can be supported by the mood of “cultish”, a logo that is almost secret or mysterious in its title but once you know what it says, it’s more appreciated. That kind of reading also can support some of my typographic logos. In this combination mark, Rkival is surrounded by triangular graphics that portray the idea of compression. The triangular graphics relate visually to the filled in shapes in the letters.
COMBINATION FINALISTS
27
PROGRESS
LOGO FINALISTS The final symbol, typographic, and combination mark logos .
LOGO FINALISTS
29
PROGRESS
FINAL LOGO The final logo decision for Rkival.
FINAL LOGO
31
EXPANSION
BRAND ELEMENTS Standard brand elements for Rkival, including a letterhead (front and back), folder, envelope, business card (front and back), and iPad and iPhone opening screens. Paper for letters will be dark blue paper with a triangularpattern design on the back. Letters can also be printed on standard white paper, when necessary.
BRAND ELEMENTS
33
EXPANSION
SOFTWARE UI Software user interface (UI) design for Rkival, for use on desktop and laptop computers. Each page in this section will show different screens a user will encounter while using Rkival. The design uses the same color scheme as the Rkival logo, and maintains a clean, flat, youthful, focused and technical look that appeals to the modern user. Below is the sitemap for this software. When a first-time user installs Rkival, they will first receive an option to transfer their files to Rkival from iTunes, Google Play, or from a specific folder on their computer or device. Returning users will return to the screen they were last viewing. On each music, videos, and photos page the user will have an option to view the content as a list, tiles, or, in the case of photos, small thumbnails.
MUSIC
VIDEOS
PHOTOS
PLAYLISTS
ALL VIDEOS
ALBUMS
ARTISTS
MOVIES
ALL PHOTOS
ALBUMS
TV SHOWS
TRACKS
MUSIC VIDEOS
GENRES PODCASTS
SETTINGS
SEARCH
Playlists
Artists
Albums
TRACK
Tracks
Podcasts
ARTIST
ALBUM
GENRE
YEAR
PLAYS
1
Easy Yoke
4:43
Favela
Easy Yoke EP
Chillwave
2014
9
Majestic Casual
2
Follow
3:44
Tom and Laura Misch
Follow - Single
Hip Hop/Electronic
2014
6
3
Hot Hands
4:13
Darius
Romance EP
Deep House
2014
17
Weekend Jams
4
I Wanna Be Down (Grades Remix)
4:14
Brandy
Brandy
Deep House
2014
4
5
Man x Woman (Prod. Full Crate x Mar)
4:39
Mar
Form EP
Electronic
2014
8
6
Puppet Talk (Space Gang Remix)
3:06
Flying Lotus
Ideas+ Drafts + Loops
Chillwave
2013
14
7
Stay With Us
3:58
Seoul
Stay With Us - Single
Indie
2014
2
8
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg)
4:02
BANKS
London EP
Electronic
2014
Chillwave Hard Electro Summer Days Rewind + New Playlist
TIME
Genres
9
You Are Why I am Invisible
2:03
XXYYXX
XXYYXX
Indielectronic
2013
17
10
Chronicles of Fallen Love
5:38
The Bloody Beetroots
Hide
Electronic
2013
13
11
Actors
4:02
Still Parade
Actors - Single
Indie
2012
8
12
Lovin U
4:16
Stwo
Beyond EP
Chillwave
2012
13
Aaliyah’s Boat
7:26
Satin Jackets vs. Aaliyah
Satin Jackets vs. Aaliyah
Deep House
2013
14
Tough Love (Pablo Nouvelle Remix)
5:16
Sailor & I
Tough Love
Chillwave
2013
15
What Never Was.
4:43
Resotone
What Never Was. - Single
Chillwave
2013
16
Deezy Daisy (Oxford Remix)
4:27
Portland
Deezy Daisy EP
Indielectronic
2013
6 2
17
Always (Classixx Remix)
5:32
Panama
Sophomore EP
Indielectronic
2013
21
18
Life Size Ghosts (Catching Flies Remix)
4:14
Mt. Wolf
Stars EP
Indielectronic
2013
22
19
Soul In The Hole
3:21
Nasty Ill Brother S.U.G.I.
Soul In The Hole - Single
Hip Hop/Electronic
2012
21
20
All I Heard
5:06
Mitzi
Truly Alive
Indielectronic
2013
21
Made To Stray
4:47
Mount Kimbie
Cold Spring Fault Less Youth
Indielectronic
2013
22
My Heart
5:54
Luvless
Various EP
Deep House
2013
2
23
Every Night
5:38
Lane 8
Every Night - Single
Deep House
2013
4
24
Porto
3:30
LASERS
LASERS EP
Electronic
2013
5
25
thts.rt$100
3:01
Knxwledge
Knxwledge
Hip Hop/Electronic
2012
6
26
Ha21
7:13
Kania Feat. Nigel Mphisa
Kania Feat. Nigel Mphisa
Chillwave
2012
7
27
In My Arms (Maths Times Joy Remix)
4:06
Karma Kid
In My Arms
Chillwave
2013
28
Drops
2:51
Jungle
The Heat EP
Chillwave
2013
9
29
Girl
3:01
Jeftuz
Jeftuz
Chillwave
2013
10
3:59
Janet Jackson
Indielectronic
2013
11 13
30 31
Astral
2:14
J.u.D.
Dreams EP
Indielectronic
2013
32
Missed
2:34
Greyhat
Missed - Single
Indielectronic
2013
33
Sleepless (Cosmo’s Midnight Remix)
3:33
Flume
Sleepless
Electronic
2013
2
34
Clair De Lune (Motez Remix)
5:21
Flight Facilities
Clair De Lune
Hip Hop/Electronic
2013
2
35
Onceagain
4:18
FloFilz
Some More Remixes
Tech House
2012
2
36
Stayed
4:28
Figgy
For The One EP
Deep House
2012
1
37
Never Enough
5:59
Falcon Punch & Roller Radio
Never Enough - Single
Deep House
2013
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
SOFTWARE UI
35
EXPANSION
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
BANKS Brandy Darius Falcon Punch & R... Favela Figgy Flight Facilities FloFilz Flume Flying Lotus Greyhat J.u.D.
Flume (Deluxe Edition)
Flume
Sleepless
Sleepless Remixes
Sleepless (Manila Killa Remix)
Wash Blood
Majestic Casual - Chapter 1
B.I.G. Flume
Janet Jackson Jeftuz Jungle Kania Feat Nigel... Karma Kid
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
19 21 Above From The... Abyss Alive (Remixes) All of a Sudden All The Girls Allen Stone Alone (Single) Alphaville EP ALX Ambivalence Av...
Adele - 19
Adele - 21
Jack Dixon - Above From The Below
Dead C T Bounce & You Killing Me - Abyss
Empire Of The Sun - Alive (Remixes)
Explosions In The Sky - All of a Sudden
Siriusmo - All The Girls
Allen Stone - Allen Stone
Amt Ancova Anger EP Animal Another Level
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
SOFTWARE UI
37
EXPANSION
Playlists
Artists
Albums
TRACK
Aa247 (Schizofoni...
Tracks
TIME
Genres
Podcasts
ARTIST
ALBUM
GENRE
YEAR
PLAYS
1
Aa247 (Schizofonics Remix)
5:03
Dance Area
Schizofonics
Electronic
2009
10
2
Aaliyah's Boat
7:26
Satin Jackets vs. Aaliyah
Satin Jackets vs. Aaliyah
Deep House
2012
6
Aaliyah's Boat
3
Ab-road
0:50
Ventla
Anti-Vivant
Electronic
2012
21
4
Aberriw
1:46
Bibio
Hand Cranked
Indielectronic
2006
2
Ab-road
5
About A Girl
2:49
Nirvana
Nirvana
Rock
1989
2
6
Above The Middle
3:03
ODESZA
Summer's Gone
Electronic
2012
Aberriw
7
Above the Rooftop
3:41
Bibio
Hand Cranked
Indielectronic
2006
8
Abracadabra
3:51
Jessie J
Who You Are
Pop
2011
Above The Middle
9
Abrasion
2:45
Bibio
Ambivalence Avenue
Indielectronic
2009
1
Above the Rooftop
10
Absolutely Zero
5:39
Jason Mraz
Waiting For My Rocket To Come
Alternative
2002
2
Abracadabra
11
Abyss
3:58
Dead C T Bounce
Abyss
Electronic
2011
23
12
Academia
3:16
Sia
Some People Have Real Problems
Alternative
2008
2
Abrasion
13
Acapella
4:28
Kelis
Flesh Tone
Dance
2010
21
14
The Accident
3:25
Those Poor Bastards
Country Bullshit
Doom Metal
2004
11
15
Ace Of Spades (Mustard Pimp Remix)
4:21
Motรถrhead
Mustard Pimp
Electronic
2008
7
Abyss
16
Aces And Twos
3:11
The Devil Makes Three
Do Wrong Right
Folk
2009
4
Academia
17
Achtzig
3:46
Boys Noize
Are You In? [EP]
Electronic
2005
5
18
Acid
2:39
C418
A Cobblers Tee Thug
Indielectronic
2010
About A Girl
Absolutely Zero
Acapella The Accident Ace Of Spades (M... Aces And Twos Achtzig
1
19
Acid
5:42
Gmorozov
T1000
Techno
2011
20
Acid Badger
6:24
MPIA3
Your Orders
Acid
2012
2
5:54
TRACKWASHER
TRACKWASHER
Electronic
2010
1
Vengeance
Acid For Blood Mixtape
Acid
2013
3
21
Acid Crookers
22
Acid For Blood Mixtape
23
Acid In 2107 (NEEDS Remix)
5:27
Serge P
Acid In 2107
Electronic
2013
3
24
Acid Line (Tom Deluxx Remix)
5:07
Jay Robinson
Jay Robinson
Electronic
2012
2
25
The Acid Never Lies (Boys Noize 909 Disco Remix)
7:45
Riot In Belgium
The Acid Never Lies
Electronic
2006
26
Acireams
5:27
Dauwd
What's There
Deep House
2011
11
27
Across The Sky
4:10
Madonna Feat. Justin Timberlake
Hard Candy
Pop
2008
2
28
Act Once
4:35
DISTRAKT
Basserk Big Fat Zip
Electronic
2011
20
29
Action/Adventure
4:04
Andrew Bird
Weather Systems
Indie
2003
2
30
Activated Neutron Cells
6:26
Perfect Cell
Activated Neutron Cells
Electro House
2011
1:04:48
31
Active Summer
0:56
Ventla
Anti-Vivant
Electronic
2012
1
32
Actors
4:02
Still Parade
Actors - Single
Indie
2013
8
33
Addicted
3:46
Ne-Yo
Because of You
R&B/Soul
2007
2
34
Addiction
3:39
Medina
Welcome to Medina
Electronic
2010
35
Admiration
4:14
Incubus
Monuments and Melodies - Disc 2
Rock
2009
6
36
Adrenaline
3:33
Zeds Dead
Adrenaline EP
Electronic
2012
7
37
Adrift
6:02
Tycho
Dive
Electronic
2011
12
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
Acid Alternative Chillwave Comedy Dance Deep House Disco House Drum & Bass Dubstep Electro House Electronic Hip Hop/Electronic
Acid
Alternative
Chillwave
Comedy
Dance
Deep House
Disco House
Drum & Bass
Hip Hop/Rap House Indie Indie Rock Indielectronic
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
SOFTWARE UI
39
EXPANSION
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
BBC Global News Cult Radio Dada Life: The Po... Ear Biscuits Facerocker Podcast HBO Comedy NPR: Planet Money SModcast TEDTalks audio Shane and Friends Freakonomics
BBC Global News
Cult Radio
Dada Life: The Podcast
Ear Biscuits
Facerocker Podcast
HBO Comedy
NPR: Planet Money
SModcast
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
Artists The Script
Albums The Script Science & Faith
Tracks Anybody There Before The Worst The End Where I... For The First Time
Science & Faith (2010)
The Script (2008)
The Man Who... Breakeven Dead Man Walking Exit Wounds Fall For Anything
The Scri
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
SOFTWARE UI
41
EXPANSION
All Videos
Movies
TV Shows
Music Videos
Movies American Hustle Avatar Inception The Shining The Wolf of Wall...
TV Shows Breaking Bad The Walking Dead
Music Videos Can't Kill Us
American Hustle (2013)
Avatar (2009)
The Shining (1980)
Breaking Bad
The Walking Dead
Can’t Kill Us - The Glitch Mob
Inception (2010)
The Wolf of Wall Street (2013)
Lost In The Echo Mirror Stay Waiting For The...
The Wolf of Wall Street 2013 - 180 minutes
Lost In The Echo - Linkin ParkM
irror - Justin Timberlake
Albums
All Photos
Lake Cushman Summer 2013 Chicago Trip Paradise! Family Alaska Cruise + New Album
Photo Slideshow 19 Photos
i
SOFTWARE UI
43
EXPANSION
MOBILE APP ICON Rkival mobile app icon design. Below are preview screens for how the app icon would look on an iOS7 iPhone.
APP STORE WISH LIST
RKIVAL IN APP STORE
HOME SCREEN
MOBILE APP ICON
45
EXPANSION
IPAD UI iPad user int erface design for Rkival. Preview screens are the opening/loading screen and Music > Artists.
AT&T
11:56 AM
11:56 AM
AT&T
Playlists
Artists
Albums
Tracks
Genres
Podcasts
BANKS Brandy Darius Falcon Punch... Favela Figgy Flight Facilities FloFilz Flume Flying Lotus
Flume (Deluxe Edition)
Flume
Sleepless
Sleepless Remixes
Sleepless (Manila Killa Remix)
Wash Blood
Majestic Casual - Chapter 1
B.I.G. Flume
Flume Bootlegs
Rustie - Slasher (Flume Edit)
FADER Mix: Flume
Flume & Chet Faker: Lockjaw EP
Greyhat J.u.D. Janet Jackson Jeftuz Jungle Kania Feat... Karma Kid Knxwledge Lane 8 LASERS Luvless Mar Mitzi
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
IPAD UI
47
EXPANSION
IPHONE UI iPhone user interface design for Rkival. Preview screens are the opening/loading screen, Music > Artists, Currently Playing, and Videos > Music Videos.
AT&T
11:56 AM
AT&T
11:56 AM
AT&T
11:56 AM
AT&T
11:56 AM
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg) BANKS - London EP
Artists
ylists
Albu
A
B
B
C
C
D
D
E
E
F
F
G
G
H
BANKS
Brandy
Falcon Punch & Roller Radio
Can’t Kill Us - The Glitch Mob
Lost In The Echo - Linkin Park
H
I
I
J
J
K
K
L
L
M
M
N
N
O
O
P
Darius
Music Videos
Shows
A
Mirror - Justin Timberlake
Stay - Rihanna
P
Q
Q
R
R
S
S
T
T
U
U
V
V
W
W
X
Waiting For The End - Linkin...
We Can’t Stop - Miley Cyrus
X
Y
Y
Z
Z
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg)
Waiting Game (Ruddyp Bootleg)
BANKS - London EP
BANKS - London EP
IPHONE UI
49
EXPANSION
RKIVAL UI Final user interface design presentation for Rkival.
RKIVAL UI
51