Challenge
In the summer of 2018, during a time of massive forest fires worldwide, our team at Logo Kompaniet was tasked with developing a clear and purposeful visual identity for an aerial firefighting unit. The brand needed to instantly communicate the division’s mission and scope of work, while remaining visually balanced and scalable across formats.
Approach
Working under the direction of our Creative Director, who handled client communication, I led the design development process with a structured, research-based approach.
Process Overview
- Briefing & Research
Gathered information through the client brief and conducted additional research into aerial firefighting, focusing on aircraft models, firefighting symbols, and natural environments affected by wildfires. - Sketching & Concept Exploration
Translated insights into concept sketches, exploring how key visual elements (fire, water, trees, aircraft) could be combined into a clean, unified symbol. - Digital Design
Built digital logo options based on the most promising sketches, focusing on clarity, symbolism, and simplicity. - Internal Feedback & Revisions
Shared initial designs with the Creative Director, refined based on feedback, and prepared final presentations for client approval. - Asset Delivery
After approval, I finalized the identity with all export formats and created a mini brand guide covering typography and color usage, plus stationery layouts.
Design Solution
The final logo incorporated a minimalist emblem composed of four core elements:
- A water droplet (firefighting action)
- A flame (the threat they fight)
- Tree silhouettes (the environment they protect)
- A visual reference to the specific aircraft model used by the division
The logo was designed for clarity at various scales, from aircraft decals to official documents, and used a clean, structured typeface to reinforce professionalism.
Results
- A meaningful, well-balanced logo that encapsulates the mission and tools of the division
- A concise design system to support consistent use of the identity across touchpoints
- Print materials (business cards and letterhead) designed for clarity and authority
“A symbol that captures action, purpose, and the environment, all in one clear mark.”
