About the project
'Famous Redesigns' is a project that came from play. It was sparked by a simple desire: not wanting to let a plethora of Adobe Illustrator shapes go unused.
I wanted to inspire myself. It was never really meant to hit social media or be shown anywhere. I uploaded one of the early redesigns, Airpods, on Twitter and people really had a lot to say about it. The project came to life in early 2020 just after the pandemic hit. I really wanted to keep designing logos, and since there were no clients, I had to become creative.
What sparked this project?
It all started from countless hours in Illustrator, where I began recognizing shapes that hinted at potential designs. Since I first downloaded the program, I've approached logo creation without a rigid strategy. I simply let creativity flow. After experimenting with hundreds of rectangle combinations, occasionally something intriguing emerges.
Who was on the team for the project?
Just me.
Do you have some project metrics to share?
I set a rule for myself: never spend more than an hour on each logo. It's a reminder that this is about exploration and fun, not getting bogged down in perfection. Sometimes, that one playful hour can lead to thousands of retweets and a flood of passionate DMs, both praising and questioning.
What is your approach to working on a project like this? Do you follow a specific process or framework?
I have one gigantic artboard with every redesigned logo and its iterations which is just the kind of chaos I need to get started. Starring at blank canvases kind of scares me.
What did the early versions of this project look like? What did you learn from this v1?
Design-wise, the redesigns are not where I grow as an artist. But this project has really given me a deeper understanding of visual communication in terms of a larger mass. Receiving contrasting feedback – with hundreds praising a design as the best and another group critiquing it as the worst – has taught me the value of perspective and the importance of not being swayed too heavily by external opinions.
'I've approached logo creation without a rigid strategy. I simply let creativity flow.'
What was the biggest challenge? Did any part of the project make you step out of your comfort zone?
When I started the project I had a goal to always learn something new when creating a logo. Initially, the learning was tool-centric, exploring various facets of Illustrator. Yet, as time progressed, my focus shifted to deeper subjects like cognition and psychology. I never feel like I'm even close to understanding everything about design, and I think that's the beauty of it.
How did you overcome this challenge?
Realizing that the more I learn, the more I discover what I don't know can be daunting. But it also allows for ultimate fun and creativity. Maybe turning the Domino's logo into a pizza box is genius. Maybe it's kinda quirky. But I have to try.
What and/or who inspired you during the creation of this project?
The whole of design-Twitter and especially creators such as Jordan Jenkins (@jkane), Soren Iverson (@soren_iverson), and Eleven (@artbyeleven).
What was your biggest learning or take-away from creating this project?
To play more.
Can you point out a detail in the project that might go unnoticed but you’re particularly proud of?
The little heart trademark symbol on every redesign. I think it's cute.
'Realizing that the more I learn, the more I discover what I don't know can be daunting. But it also allows for ultimate fun and creativity.'
Which part of this project consumed the most time or energy?
The start of every new design takes time. However, operating within a singular expansive file facilitates seamless transitions between projects, drawing inspiration from the array of previous redesigns.
What was the result of this project?
This venture has led the way for my full-time freelance journey. I've gotten to work with some really big brands and much of it is thanks to me playing around with silly rectangles in Illustrator.
Where was the project created? What do you enjoy about working there?
My laptop. The Domino's logo was created at my university. The Google Maps logo was designed on the train. The Bluetooth was made when on vacation in Prague.
If this project had a soundtrack, which one would it be?
Which tools did you use to create this project?
Adobe Illustrator - Design.
What are you currently working on, and what's next?
I'm currently freelancing as a logo designer trying to learn something new every day. The 'Famous Redesigns' are put on pause. Who knows? Perhaps it'll make a comeback soon.
Who or what are you inspired by lately? Any current influences that you find are seeping into your work
Sagi Haviv for sure!
If you could give your younger self one piece of advice about navigating the design world, what would it be?
Save your files. Please.
From the maker
