LOGO

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

This thread is open to discuss the coalition's logo.

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Here are some proposals from Julien (DaC member) to enrich the reflections. I add these other proposals from Julien:

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Note that such a logo (the alliance of the 4 categories intersex/fe/male/trans) could easily be reused by events in synergy with the coalition, for example it could replace the current gender binarity of the WWDOGA flag (with only 2 symbols fe/male):

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Here is a first summary of the multiple options proposed by Julien for the coalition's logo.

Personally, I find interesting the idea of using the new symbol created by the coalition (idea from Tim, to be patented!), namely the transgender symbol modified with separations to signify the alliance of the 4 types of sexual mutilation (intersex, female, male, transgender), by superimposing on it the double hand of a child and an adult, whose design refers both to prehistory (sexual mutilation comes from very far back, castration for example in the cult of Cybele and Egyptian male priests, of which male circumcision is an attenuated form) and in a vertical position which means "stop".

This double hand can be inside the intersex circle or overflow this circle to give more relief (a shadow of the hand could be added on the 4-symbol to give more relief to the "stop").

I think that from this base, if there is a sufficient consensus, all that would remain is to refine the design and the choice of colours to guide Julien.

What do you think about it?

[John Adkison]

Does this mean that The Bodyguards is only addressing sexual issues? There is also scarification and other body harm practices.

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Logo fine tuning

Here is the result obtained by Julian from the specifications with 5 objects: the double hand child/adult protecting the 4 categories of humans intersex/fe/male/transgender). 

I will post these 3 options in 3 separate posts following this post (to avoid heavy email).

This logo seems to me to be perfectly in line with the message of protection of the body sent by the coalition's mon (The Bodyguards).

The synergy would be particularly strong with the motto if the motto uses the special character that Tim came up with (the symbol of the alliance of the 4 gender categories), as this special character would be at the heart of the logo. Note that such a logo would be particularly easy to reuse for events that are synergistic with the coalition, such as WWDOGA or the Genital Autonomy Symposium.

If coalition members are in favour of using this logo, all that remains is to refine the design: speak up about the choice of colours, the option of adding a shadow on the double hand, or erasing the lines behind the hand!

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

LOGO option 1

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

LOGO option 2

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

LOGO option 3

[circharmsurvey]

I will reluctantly throw a monkey wrench into this discussion with the following observations.

1. If the design is to be made in color, there was an earlier design where the circle was purple with a yellow outline. I think this would be a clear signal to our intersex friends that we are their allies.

2. Maybe the gender-related colors of blue for boys and pink for girls is just a U.S. thing, but if not, and if these colors are universally used, perhaps the arrow at the upper right of the circle can be blue, the cross at the bottom of the circle can be pink, and the combination symbol at the upper left can be blue and pink. Otherwise, perhaps the male/female/trans arrows can just be black.

3. There was an earlier design with an adult hand inside the circle and a child's hand holding the thumb of the adult. To me, this spoke of compassion, support and assistance. Another design showed the two open hands (as if to say 'Stop!') INSIDE the circle. That was also good. However, the current 3 options show those 'Stop!' hands outside the circle and much larger. To me, this sends a confusing message. If one does not fully understand the context, could it possibly send the message?: "Stop the gender confusion!"

4. Sometimes simpler is better. Within the context of the motto "NO BODY is safe unless ALL BODIES are safe", I think that using the symbol (without any hands) within the word "BODIES" should be considered.

5. I also support Balashinsky's suggestion to say "unless" rather than "until". He made a good argument for "unless".

[Michael Winnel]

Holy Moly! These Logo's are fantastic!!! They are incredibly eye catching, evocative, and speak to our cause. Wow. 

I want one on a T-shirt! Brilliant marketing. Thank you Julian!

Regards, Michael FSR Australasia

[kevinrba...@gmail.com]

Looks great to me, 

Option 2 seems the most pleasing to my eyes because it best maintains the finger prints and lines on the hands giving them a realistic appearance. 

The symbolism used and how it has been constructed or combined maintains the simplicity required to be broadly recognisable. Logos are generally broad strokes that limit complexity for this very reason.   

In terms of the use of colour I feel less is more and overdoing it would reduce its clean appearance. To my eyes even the use of yellow in option 1 starts to make it look confusing.

I understand that many do hold the use of colour as symbolic to particular movements or identities however in the case of the coalition where we all come together from many perspectives, the lack of colour in my opinion speaks to unity. (Collectively we are the same colour)  

In addition if the logo was to be reproduced in any manner other than digital format such as banners, t-shirts etc production costs would be elevated. 

Very artistic and well produced Julian thank you for creating this wonderful submission. 

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Julien has made options 4 (a, b, c) and 5 (a, b, c) following Tim's suggestions: I will make 1 post for each option. Note that if the double hand is totally inside the circle, the problem is that when the logo is reduced to a normal size, the child's hand will no longer be seen as it is too small, which is why an overhang seems necessary.

Depending on the feedback on this forum, we may be able to move towards a final version.

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 4a

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 4b

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 4c

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 5a

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 5b

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Option 5c

[Timothy John]

I favor both Options 5a and 5b, depending on the intended use.

5a: for strictly monochrome use (e.g., on a letterhead), with the adult hand being black like the rest of the symbol.

5b: for a more colorful presentation (e.g., on the website, signs or banners). But a small problem I see with all arrows being yellow is that it might appear to be "too intersex". I wonder if it would express more diversity if the male arrow would be blue, the female cross at the bottom would be pink, and the trans arrow would remain yellow. Could this be too much color, or would it be more attractive and attention-getting?

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Please note that for T-shirts, the logo can be printed at actual size, i.e. with a human-sized hand. This can lead to interesting by-products, inviting passers-by in the street to put their own hand on the hand of the logo, a condition for something to happen. For example, "become a bodyguard" by placing your hand here, with the effect of getting 1 Bodyguards "business card" (i.e. business cards with The Bodyguards brand). Or more teasing, we can consider bathing trunks with 2 logos on the back, or on bras...

Since there seems to be an interest in this logo with the hand, Julien will try to integrate the text "The Bodyguards" in order to have 1 integrated logo printable on any support, such as T-Shirts.

Perhaps we could consider a range of products for sale (T-Shirts, buttons, balloons, "Make Foreskin Great Again" caps etc), which could be distributed by the members of the coalition with a 50/50 income split.

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

Oh, sorry Tim, I forgot to respond to your suggestion of girls/boys colours = pink/blue. This bicolour is used by conservatives as a stereotype of female and male roles (delicate, mannered girls and manly boys). It is hard to imagine a boy dressing in pink, for example. So, this bicolour is to be absolutely banned: it would scare away the progressives (feminists, gender experts) who are fighting against!

https://fr.aleteia.org/2018/05/26/quand-le-bleu-etait-pour-les-filles-et-le-rose-pour-les-garcons/

[Timothy John]

My suggestion for the blue/pink arrows is intentional. As "stereotypical" as those colors might be, and still acceptable to many progressives whom I know, these colors are what most people associate with gender. One strategy for change is to meet people where they are, then bring them along on a journey of deeper understanding. But I will not argue his further, as there are other color solutions for the arrows.

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

In fact, the child's hand holding the thumb of an adult hand was designed by Julien to replace the current Droit au Corps logo (which is why this new logo is blue). But this is not a problem if the coalition wants to use it inside the 3 arrow symbol. For Droit au Corps, it is planned to use it without the symbol (and larger size):

Le jeudi 1 avril 2021 à 19 h 45 min 31 s UTC-4, Timothy John a écrit :

[jean-christophe Lurenbaum]

I received a private email with "I'm with option 5b"

[Michael Winnel]

Logo 2. I have asked around and several people all landed on Logo 2! 😎 They said it was simple, effective, and impactful. They felt it was clearer and more direct than the coloured options. 

[Guy Sinden]

Michael, mee too :-)
This logo is good for monochrome printing too.