Graphic & Multimedia • Case Study

Identity Marks — Case Study

A silhouette-first mark-making workflow (sketch → scan → refine)

This case study summarizes my end-to-end process for developing four identity marks. I began with high-volume exploration (20–50 sketches per mark), then scanned selected directions into line art and refined them into clean vector marks designed to remain recognizable at small sizes.

Role

Designer (concept, sketching, digitization, refinement)

Output

4 finalized marks (one-color identity set)

Primary Criteria

Silhouette • Balance • Negative space • Scalability

Tools

Illustrator • Pen tool • Shape building

Final Outcomes

Project Brief

Create four one-color identity marks that are recognizable at small sizes and strong as silhouettes. Each mark should feel distinct, but the overall set should maintain consistent visual weight and finish.

Constraints

One color (works in black/white)
Legible at small sizes (icon-ready)
Minimal interior detail (clarity-first)
Consistent style across the set

Success Criteria

Instant silhouette recognition
Balanced negative space
Clean vector construction
Feels “finished” as a logo stamp

Workflow (Text Summary)

1) Sketch Exploration

I explored broad directions by producing 20–50 sketches per mark. This helped me quickly compare silhouettes, test different visual “personalities,” and select the strongest shapes.

2) Scan → Clean Line Art

I scanned selected sketches, cleaned them into crisp line art, and clarified primary shapes before moving into vector.

3) Vector Construction

I rebuilt marks in Illustrator with smooth curves, efficient anchors, and consistent visual weight.

4) Simplify + Strengthen

I reduced detail until the mark still read clearly. If any area felt noisy or fragile, it was simplified again.

5) Small-Size Check

I evaluated how the marks read at smaller scales (favicon/icon context). Marks must remain recognizable, even when fine details are no longer visible.

Design Checks I Used

Silhouette test: fill as a solid shape—does it still read?
Negative-space test: remove interior detail—does meaning remain?
Balance test: does the mark feel stable and centered?
Consistency test: do the marks feel like one set?

Final Outcomes

Four finalized identity marks shown together as a consistent set.

Teaching Use (UX/UI + Visual Systems)

This project connects directly to UX/UI teaching because identity marks and UI icons share the same goals: recognition over recall, consistent visual systems, and clarity under constraints.

Class Activity

10-minute silhouette sketch sprint (no details)
Three rounds of simplification (remove detail each round)
Peer critique using criteria (silhouette, balance, negative space)
Convert one sketch into a clean vector mark

Assessment Rubric

Silhouette clarity
Negative space control
Consistency across a set
Rationale (explain design choices)

Teaching strategy: simplify → test → refine → explain with principles. This mirrors UX workflows: constraints, iteration, validation, and clear communication.

Reflection

The strongest lesson from this project is that constraints create clarity. The marks improved most when I removed details and focused on strong silhouettes, balanced negative space, and a consistent system finish.