The top two are pretty clever, because they contain both the letters E and C for "Electric Car" or "Electric Charging" and they also have a stylized electric plug. The bottom two lose the letter C.
Someone pointed out to me that the plugs for the cars in the US don't look like the plug here.. so it was hard to associate to a Car charger. it's a good point. it seems the actual plugs differ from country to country (which isn't very practical), so i'm trying to go for something more universal... for electrical.
I don't think the actual difference in the plugs is important. The two-connection plug with cord is a kind of universal sign, even if the plugs in use are somewhat different. I guess you created an icon destined to be worldwidely applied.
For me, the shape of the plug is unimportant; what plugs DO and HOW THEY WORK is key. What sold me on the top two is that the plug is CONNECTED to a power source (the implied cord coming out of the plug).
The top 2 look nice, although the "E" and "C" shapes will obviously not be meaningful in all languages as the words for charging/car/electricity will vary from country to country. But of course it's the plug and cord shapes that carry the main message.
Indeed I don't expect everyone to read and see all that's in there everywhere in the world (hell, some of my friends saw sleeping Bears and white and black pigs in there!! :)), but at least that the main feature (which is the plug and connection) are visible and dominant.
This will be eventually used as a standard dingbat in my fonts and most likely also as a free dingbat font.. it should be out there, where it belongs.
I'm loving this. Just wanted to say. (The top versions.)
BTW, make sure you optically-correct the circle – the top/bottom looks heavier than the side where the cable comes through (but maybe it's just me).
@ukr50: Since I'm not designing your city’s actual brand of electrical charging station, but merely offering an alternative universal pictorial representation of one, this doesn't concern such details.
But if I was to design one, I would probably simply put a big 480V and 220V next to each other. How 'bout that?
And for all your lovely rotation advices.. just turn your screen or slightly turn your heads :D
thanks again.
would you be interested in having this pictorial for free to use?
It’s a nice idea! However, to me it looks more like a company’s brand rather than a general public signage piece. For the latter purpose it may be too sophisticated to be instantly deciphered by the average car charger. Maybe something fool-proof would do, like this:
22 Aug 2010 — 11:04am
The top two work for me..
22 Aug 2010 — 11:31am
The top two are pretty clever, because they contain both the letters E and C for "Electric Car" or "Electric Charging" and they also have a stylized electric plug. The bottom two lose the letter C.
22 Aug 2010 — 12:27pm
Thanks both!
Someone pointed out to me that the plugs for the cars in the US don't look like the plug here.. so it was hard to associate to a Car charger. it's a good point. it seems the actual plugs differ from country to country (which isn't very practical), so i'm trying to go for something more universal... for electrical.
22 Aug 2010 — 1:24pm
Very smart, clean, simple and meaningful.
I don't think the actual difference in the plugs is important. The two-connection plug with cord is a kind of universal sign, even if the plugs in use are somewhat different. I guess you created an icon destined to be worldwidely applied.
22 Aug 2010 — 1:24pm
For me, the shape of the plug is unimportant; what plugs DO and HOW THEY WORK is key. What sold me on the top two is that the plug is CONNECTED to a power source (the implied cord coming out of the plug).
22 Aug 2010 — 2:22pm
I think this is a remarkably well executed merge of logotype and pictorial representation. Congratulations. (I too prefer the upper versions.)
22 Aug 2010 — 5:33pm
The top 2 look nice, although the "E" and "C" shapes will obviously not be meaningful in all languages as the words for charging/car/electricity will vary from country to country. But of course it's the plug and cord shapes that carry the main message.
23 Aug 2010 — 7:18am
Many thanks everyone!
Indeed I don't expect everyone to read and see all that's in there everywhere in the world (hell, some of my friends saw sleeping Bears and white and black pigs in there!! :)), but at least that the main feature (which is the plug and connection) are visible and dominant.
This will be eventually used as a standard dingbat in my fonts and most likely also as a free dingbat font.. it should be out there, where it belongs.
thanks again.
A
23 Aug 2010 — 8:56am
some of my friends saw sleeping Bears and white and black pigs in there
What are your friends smoking, and where can I get some?
23 Aug 2010 — 10:07am
actually they are the NON-smokers, which might explain it :)
23 Aug 2010 — 10:20pm
Top right! Love it! Maybe incorporate the oh-so-modern "green" into the color scheme?
25 Aug 2010 — 7:09am
I'm loving this. Just wanted to say. (The top versions.)
BTW, make sure you optically-correct the circle – the top/bottom looks heavier than the side where the cable comes through (but maybe it's just me).
25 Aug 2010 — 8:46am
I see a smiley face.
So, I'd suggest making it one. Turn it 90 degrees. It's a plug! It's a smiley face!
26 Aug 2010 — 3:53pm
There will be two different chargers: Fast (480Volt) and Level 2 (220Volt) how will you differentiate between the two?
26 Aug 2010 — 4:15pm
Or 45 degrees to the left? Then you could still read the E as E.
26 Aug 2010 — 7:17pm
@ukr50: Since I'm not designing your city’s actual brand of electrical charging station, but merely offering an alternative universal pictorial representation of one, this doesn't concern such details.
But if I was to design one, I would probably simply put a big 480V and 220V next to each other. How 'bout that?
And for all your lovely rotation advices.. just turn your screen or slightly turn your heads :D
thanks again.
would you be interested in having this pictorial for free to use?
27 Aug 2010 — 4:07am
It’s a nice idea! However, to me it looks more like a company’s brand rather than a general public signage piece. For the latter purpose it may be too sophisticated to be instantly deciphered by the average car charger. Maybe something fool-proof would do, like this:
27 Aug 2010 — 8:40am
http://logopond.com/gallery/detail/47306
cool anyway
30 Aug 2010 — 1:34pm
FWIW I just came across this:
http://creattica.com/logos/connector/39618
30 Aug 2010 — 2:18pm
Andreas, that red one looks like a Hummer tailgating a Smart Car! :-)
27 May 2012 — 10:38am
Can we see something with a “lightning bolt” please?
27 May 2012 — 3:08pm
Seems the PTB (Powers That Be) in the US have already decided on theirs: http://mutcd.fhwa.dot.gov/htm/2009/part2/fig2i_01_longdesc.htm
The Wikipedia article on charging stations shows a proposal for the European version.
Putting a lightning symbol on the sign... naahhh... too much like saying "Zap 'em all and let $DEITY sort 'em out!"