German expressionism has always been an underlying influence on my work in the past, and at the beginning of my wordmark project I knew I'd like to include elements of this particular aesthetic in my logotype design. German expressionist cinema from the 1920s is one of the most unique and recognisable styles of silent film. Marked by the distorted, angular sets, deep shadows and generally macabre vibe, films such as The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari (1920) and Metropolis (1927) have influenced artists, film makers and designers of all kinds - from Alfred Hitchcock to Tim Burton.
I began thinking about how the principles of this movement could lend themselves to my work. I took inspiration from the - now iconic - fonts used on the film posters of these movies and started to scribble down some of my own interpretations. After a few attempts I decided the more elongated and angular Metropolis typeface was the more expressive font and more akin to what I would want my personal wordmark to look like.
I think I've managed to capture the wonky, angular aesthetic of German expressionist design, with a nod to Metropolis and the typography of it's iconic film posters. The elongated letterforms and the staggered positioning of the letters provide a kind of eerie feel, while the rough edges and interspersed boxes creates a balance of lightheartedness.
GDI year 1 