The MIX Logo
Logo Design for a Student-Led Cultural Organization
Abstract
During my final undergraduate semester, I participated in the Return Design Lab at Olin College, a studio course providing design solutions for nonprofit and arts-related organizations. Through this lab, I collaborated with a fellow student, Diego Garcia, to develop a logo for The MIX (The Multicultural Innovators eXperience), a new student-led cultural and professional community at Olin. Our design process was centered on iterative feedback and close collaboration with The MIX founders to ensure the final logo reflected their values of diversity, inclusion, community, and individual identity.
Role: Graphic Designer (Concept Ideation, Iterative Prototyping, Client Review Coordination)
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Hand Sketching, Miro
Timeline: January – May 2020
Team Size: 3 (Tim Sauder [Overseeing Professor], Diego Garcia, myself)
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Hand Sketching, Miro
Timeline: January – May 2020
Team Size: 3 (Tim Sauder [Overseeing Professor], Diego Garcia, myself)
Olin College lacked a student organization representing students of color and underrepresented groups in engineering spaces. The MIX was founded to fill this gap by offering a community for cultural identity, mentorship, and professional development. The organization needed a visual identity that communicated inclusivity, individuality, professionalism, and belonging.
We Asked
How might we design a logo for The MIX that visually represents community, diversity, and a space where individual identities combine to form a strong, unified group?
The Problem
We proposed a logo system that incorporated individual shapes and colors coming together to create a cohesive form, symbolizing the MIX community. The system explored geometric and abstract forms that conveyed unity through individuality and incorporated flexibility for future customization.
The Proposal
Initial Ideation:
I explored concepts based on people gathering together and sought cohesion with other Olin College student group logos for contextual consistency. From this, the “Blobs” and “Bubble” concepts emerged.
I explored concepts based on people gathering together and sought cohesion with other Olin College student group logos for contextual consistency. From this, the “Blobs” and “Bubble” concepts emerged.
Second Round:
In response to client feedback requesting a more professional feel, I refined the “Bubble” concept into the “Blocks” design, emphasizing modularity and collectivity. Each part was essential to the logo’s completeness, symbolizing that every member’s identity strengthens the community.
In response to client feedback requesting a more professional feel, I refined the “Bubble” concept into the “Blocks” design, emphasizing modularity and collectivity. Each part was essential to the logo’s completeness, symbolizing that every member’s identity strengthens the community.
Third Round:
With further feedback, I adjusted proportions, simplified forms, and explored using the logo as a pattern for merchandise, a feature our clients were interested in pursuing.
With further feedback, I adjusted proportions, simplified forms, and explored using the logo as a pattern for merchandise, a feature our clients were interested in pursuing.
Final Concept: The “Lines” Design
For the final review, we synthesized all prior feedback into the “Lines” concept. This version combined geometric structure, multiplied elements, and multicolored flexibility while preserving brand clarity and scalability.
Customization:
We introduced the option to customize the internal colors of the 'X' within the logo to suit specific events or applications, offering dynamic representation without losing visual identity.
We introduced the option to customize the internal colors of the 'X' within the logo to suit specific events or applications, offering dynamic representation without losing visual identity.
Concept Development
Concept Ideation and Iteration
• Developed early logo concepts and visual language systems inspired by community themes and student organization branding at Olin
• Created ideation boards and design sketches to guide concept presentations
• Developed early logo concepts and visual language systems inspired by community themes and student organization branding at Olin
• Created ideation boards and design sketches to guide concept presentations
User-Centered Feedback Integration
• Participated in multiple design review meetings with The MIX founders to present concepts and gather feedback
• Incorporated client input into revised logo iterations and presentation strategies
• Participated in multiple design review meetings with The MIX founders to present concepts and gather feedback
• Incorporated client input into revised logo iterations and presentation strategies
Prototyping and Merchandising Exploration
• Produced scalable vector versions of logo concepts for final client presentations
• Explored pattern-based applications of the logo for potential wearable merchandise and promotional use
• Produced scalable vector versions of logo concepts for final client presentations
• Explored pattern-based applications of the logo for potential wearable merchandise and promotional use
My Contribution
This project provided The MIX with a flexible, thoughtful visual identity that reflects the organization’s core values of inclusivity, individuality, and community. The iterative design process emphasized collaboration and cultural sensitivity, equipping the student organization with a logo system that can adapt and evolve with its growing community while maintaining a consistent and professional presence on campus.
Why It Matters
