Logo Design

I designed a number of logos for Linux audio projects as here several of my interests overlap :)

I mainly use Inkscape and the GIMP. For aspects of the Ardour logo and the complete Ingen logo, I used Xara Xtreme.

linuxaudio.org

2006-05
The linuxaudio.org consortium was looking for a logo. After initial attempts at an abstract logo, it became clear there had to be a penguin involved ;)

linuxaudio.org banner

There are several variations available on the linuxaudio.org logo page.

LV2

2006-06
LV2 is an upcoming standard for plugins and matching host applications. It’s mainly targeted at audio processing and generation. I designed this based on a concept from Peter Shorthose.

LV2

Colour variations are available on the LV2 site.

Ardour

2006-09
Ardour is a digital audio workstation. A collage of design iterations describes the creative process better than words could.

The main variation, also available on shirts:

Ardour

A “Made with Ardour” Emblem:

Made with Ardour

Banner for the web:

Ardour Banner

Wallpapers (1440×900, 1920×1200, 1920×1200, click on the thumbnails):

Ardour Wallpaper Blue 1140×900 Ardour Wallpaper 1920×1200 Ardour Wallpaper 2560×1024

Ingen

2006-10, updated 2007-04
Ingen is a modular synthesis and effects environment not ready for public consumption yet. The logo is meant to refer to module patching and to convey an “industrial” style.

Ingen

Patchage

2006-11
Patchage is a modular patch bay and control center. This is not really a logo and not in use, but see for yourself :)

Patchage Hydra

(Click to enlarge)

FFADO

2007-03
FFADO: Free Firewire Audio Drivers. With the name change from Freebob, this project was in need of a new logo. It contains some elements that should look familiar to Firewire users ;)

FFADO

zynjacku

2007-03
zynjacku is a host for LV2 synth plugins in early development. After a number of scribbles I made 3 concepts for the author to pick from, all based on the central idea of plugins wrapped in a host.

zynjacku

Softwerk

2007-04
Softwerk is an old step sequencer project that is about to be brought back into shape. The logo design is about steps, vintage hardware and if you think Scrabble, that’s fine, too :)

Softwerk

13 Responses to “Logo Design”

  1. Dieter Says:

    It’s cool to see the evolution of design ideas for the Ardour logo

    Btw I’ll keep you in mind when I never need a logo for an open source program ;-)

  2. Scott Says:

    Very nice work.
    Everyone needs some positive feedback:)
    take care.

  3. Braydon Fuller Says:

    Yay, free software!
    Zynjacku is one of my favorites. The center feels held in place, but not contained.

  4. Jaakko Sipari Says:

    Excellent work! It’s great to see open source apps getting some real “faces” by real artists :) Especially for the ones used for creative tasks themselves.

    Now if we could also get a collaboration of artists and UI designers to attack the “coder-UI”’s which can be seen in countless open source applications.

  5. AudioResearchBlog » Blog Archive » Audio development & design Says:

    [...] Also seems he’s a very experienced linux audio logo designer, check this. [...]

  6. Tiago Calisto Says:

    Is very good job, very cool logos. Congratulations.

  7. Kevin Says:

    These logos are great! How are they licensed? Could I use the “Made with Ardour” Emblem on a CD I publish? I think that could help get Linux Audio at least a little better known.

  8. thorwil Says:

    Thanks, everyone!

    Kevin: I usually leave it to the projects to define licensing terms for the logos.

    Regarding “Made with Ardour”, feel free to use it as you see fit, as long as the message is true ;)
    Send me an email, if you want a larger image.

  9. KayGenz Says:

    Wow.. nice logo :)

  10. Indijan Says:

    Great work, you’re getting pretty ubuntu famous now, so I might ask for an autograph :-p

  11. thecommutist Says:

    Awesome work! Great designs!

  12. THEOSKARWERNER Says:

    THANKS!!! It’s soo cool that there are lads like you out there. Awesome job.

  13. linuxaudiolive Says:

    Hi Thorsten,

    I bumped into your site today through one of your posts from 2004… Then I learned, that you designed the knobs from specimen, I remember when I had to install phat. These knobs are really good. Now I saw all these logos. It is really nice indeed, that guys like you put so much effort into the development of open source software.

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