[Introduction]
Logo Designer | Sep 2024
Cornerstone Innovations is a young startup in New Zealand, and they came to me with a simple ask: a logo that would help them stand out as they launch their IT and digital services. They work with other companies - not just providing tech solutions, but also training IT teams to hand things over smoothly and confidently. What they really wanted was a strong, memorable logo that would make a mark for their digital brand at home in New Zealand.
Tools used | Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
[Description]
Client's needs
Make a classy, minimal, tech-inspired logo
Base the design around the company initials, “C” and “I”
Make sure the logo looks great everywhere, from digital screens to printed materials
Capture a sense of innovation, forward movement, and confidence
Inspiration
When I first sat down with the idea, I pictured how the curves of the letter “C” could be the main shape of the logo, gently holding the “I” inside it. That was my starting point. I started looking at all sorts of logos with flowing shapes and clever uses of letters and stumbled on the Beats by Dre logo. Their design really inspired me - it’s sleek, minimal, and instantly says ‘tech’. The way they built their whole brand around a simple, powerful symbol left an impression on me. I wanted to bring that same sense of innovation and subtle luxury to Cornerstone Innovations, making sure their logo doesn’t just blend in, but truly stands out.
Ideation
The final logo
I designed the final logo by blending the letters "C" and "i" into a single, meaningful mark. The "i" sits neatly inside the curve of the "C," creating a sense of unity and focus. One end of the "C" is intentionally separated and highlighted in the brand’s vibrant orange colour, symbolising the cornerstone - the essential support that keeps everything balanced. Without this cornerstone, the logo would feel unstable, just like a building without its key support would be shaky and unreliable.
Additionally, the "i" is crafted to subtly resemble a microphone, which reflects the company’s mission to train their clients using their software solutions. This dual meaning gives the logo depth, combining innovation and communication in one clean design that tells a story about strength, support, and learning.
Overall, the logo also looks like a globe that indicates the company's ambition to provide innovative solutions around the world.
Lockup variations
Colours and typography
The stone
I designed the stone as the core graphic of the logo because it represents the very foundation of Cornerstone Innovations. To me, this stone isn’t just a shape - it’s a symbol of strength, stability, and trust that the company is built on. I made sure to integrate this stone element throughout the brand so it remains a consistent anchor in every touchpoint. Its versatility allows it to be used in different ways, enhancing brand recognition while leaving a lasting, memorable impression wherever it appears.
Pattern
Iconography
Mockups
