Camp visual identity

[picsoung]

Hello fellow Burners,

While we usually talk about how to build physically a Theme Camp, today I am curious to hear the story behind the visual identity of your camp. The logo, the font, the stickers...

We are trying to bring a new camp this year, and I feel that this visual identity is an important step for people to identify to the project.

I have tried things, but I am pretty bad at this, everything looks childish.
I consider using Fiverr to get some ideas or things done.

What's your story?
How would you approach this?

[Ratty]

So are you the kind of camp that gives out stickers with your camp name prominently displayed? (I prefer the ones that just have graphics with burning Man and the date.)

The logo, the font?

I feel that this visual identity is an important step for people to identify to the project.

Won't they know your orgy bar when they see it? Just do a great project and forget the 'branding'.

[BBadger]

I think you should start Bad Typography Camp and print out your camp name in Comic Sans with really bad kerning in black on white office paper taped together.

[BBadger]

On a different note, I'm with Ratty: I don't really like stickers or pins or whatnot that have a camp name all that prominent. Usually what most people do is build their logo and media around their theme or whatever funny thing they're doing. Unless your camp is super memorable and important, I'm not sure what plastering your name all over your stuff like some no-name DJ is really doing for you. On teh other hand, if you're memorable and important you don't need to do it either.

For your camp sign, why don't you design your logo and such that you can build something around it or decorate it. If it's readable and looks nice and creative, it doesn't have to be cutting edge design.

[Savannah]

I think you should start Bad Typography Camp and print out your camp name in Comic Sans with really bad kerning in black on white office paper taped together.

On a different note, I'm with Ratty: I don't really like stickers or pins or whatnot that have a camp name all that prominent. Usually what most people do is build their logo and media around their theme or whatever funny thing they're doing. Unless your camp is super memorable and important, I'm not sure what plastering your name all over your stuff like some no-name DJ is really doing for you. On teh other hand, if you're memorable and important you don't need to do it either.

Exactly . . . people care more about a meaningful experience/fun time/interesting décor than the name or url or stickers.

picsoung, If you're on a budget, think about signage first. Your camp name, and maybe something announcing events ("Gin & tonics! Monday, Wednesday, Friday at Sunset". Bright colors, good contrast, big headline. Stake it to the playa. This way if you list an event in the Who/What/Where, people can find your camp and know that they're welcome.

Flags and tapestries are also nice; one of my favorite camps bought a bunch of pretty tapestries in a specific range of colors and zip tied them to the top of the shade structure.

If you're trying for a somewhat uniform look in camp you can attempt a color palette, but that can be hard unless you're starting with nothing and ready to buy everything. In 2009 my friend and I had a Duck motif and repeated it as often as possible.

[AntiM]

I have an old piece of wood and a road easel, and just slapped paint on it. It was meant to look janky. A few years we did random Godzilla t-shirts, and we've yet to do stickers. But we might. If the budget ever allows. Or if I remember in time.

I too prefer Generic Burning Man stickers, unless the artwork is something special. Perhaps you're overthinking this?

[Token]

I think your whole design style should be based on emoji koans and hieroglyphic stick-men rebus.

All in primary colors!

So, what was the original question again?

[Lonesomebri]

Here at Camp THREAT INC we keep it simple with our swag branding. This years theme: I THREAT.

Camp THREAT.jpg

As for marketing our camp appearance and presentation, sometimes improvisation is the best method.

FB_IMG_1525207997445.jpg