modx logo evolution
First, thanks to the amazing guys from signalfeuer. they took our input for the logo and did an amazing job. Personally I was stuck on the empty box metaphor because it really does convey what modx is all about—a completely empty container into which you can put whatever you'd like, in any manner you'd like. No constraints. No new template systems to learn. Total freedom to do it in any way you want, no matter really what "it" is.
Except the box thing had been done about 4.3-billion times.
Unfazed, the Euro-design duo extraordinaire came through with aplomb. Part of our German user base, they volunteered to work on our branding elements about two months ago. Having long been an admirer of their work—their site made the CSS showcase circuit to rave reviews—I was ecstatic both that they love and use modx, and that they wanted to donate their time, energy and creative talents .
And it was their creative problem solving skills that they applied to an admittedly daunting design task of creating our identity. They adroitly surmised that an unfolded box would do an even better job of expressing the flexibility and freedom inherent with modx. Assemble it the way you want, even if it's inside out. Cut it down to size if it's too big. Put it together however you wish ... no constraints and total freedom. Further, at its core it's just a box—simple enough to grok that you don't need a massive learning curve to start using successfully. That's what modx is about.
To Dennis and Leif: I want to reiterate our sincere thanks for taking on the challenge, and doing an incredible job. We're absolutely happy and excited about what you guys bring to modx, and look forward to revealing more of your work to the modx community.
For those that will ask, the letterforms are custom tweaked VAG Rounded, and it was all lovingly hand crafted in Fireworks. I'm not certain if the cardboard (how appropriate!) model was created before or after they drew the icon, but I'm claiming it was their visual reference during drawing. Web buttons and "spread modx" paraphernalia will be coming soon, as will a total site redesign to match our new logo. Proper usage for our project name is finally set in stone at all lowercase, all one word, coincidentally tweet-texting-friendly: modx.
Meta: 
Comments:
2
Congratulations! by dev_cw 09-Aug-08 06:04 PM
Sweet! Very nice looking logo, great job. I am very interested to see all it's applications.
3
Wonderful! by neilcreek 09-Aug-08 06:50 PM
Wonderful logo! It really captures the spirit of modx, and it looks very modern too. I don't know if it was intended or noticed, but the open box has an "X" shape, which nicely reflects the name "modx". So clever. I look forward to putting a button on my site!
4
great logo by chinesedream 10-Aug-08 05:35 AM
Great logo! I think the typeface for modx is a bit rigid standing next to the logo.
5
Nice work! by Bogdan Günther 10-Aug-08 02:44 PM
I like the opened box and the idea behind it, but the typo is a little static. Maybe the "MODx" could be a little more exciting ... ?
6
Looking Great by dotDigital 10-Aug-08 06:49 PM
The logo is turning out to be very sharp. Great idea of the opened box. I agree with the others that have mentioned the font. It doesn't "fit". I hope that this isn't final and that there are a couple other concepts for the typeface. I'm excited to see the web buttons too.
7
by rthrash 11-Aug-08 08:15 AM
The type is pretty much all-but-set; can't please all the folks all the time! In context of the new site design I think you'll find it very cohesive. ;)
10
I like the typeface by dev_cw 14-Aug-08 01:02 PM
I like the typeface, it may be a little less exiting than the box but it is very easy to use in other contexts like in black and white, and has a strong presence on it's own (without the box).
11
Hmmm by thehen 14-Aug-08 04:27 PM
I'm not convinced by the typeface. It's very two-dimensional compared to the logo's symbol and it makes it feel somewhat detached.
12
by Pandy06269 17-Aug-08 08:00 AM
I agree with everyone about the typeface, but then I guess we're not seeing the logo in context yet. Looking forward to the next 12 months of this project - it's gonna be great!
13
Hard to say... by Pikachu 17-Aug-08 04:40 PM
I'm really sad about loosing the caps on "MODx", but i'll live with it ;)
In fact it's maybe the typeface who makes me feel that the caps were great on the old logo. I find this typeface too 'simple'...
I saw some images changed, like the ones on wtf.modxcms.com. What will the old logo of wtf.modxcms.com become ?
(the one like this : http://wtf.modxcms.com/favicon.ico)
Is it possible to have that old logo for a 'souvenir' ? :D
It's a good idea of changing of design, it's like a second start, it seems logical for a "Revolution" !
Good job.
In fact it's maybe the typeface who makes me feel that the caps were great on the old logo. I find this typeface too 'simple'...
I saw some images changed, like the ones on wtf.modxcms.com. What will the old logo of wtf.modxcms.com become ?
(the one like this : http://wtf.modxcms.com/favicon.ico)
Is it possible to have that old logo for a 'souvenir' ? :D
It's a good idea of changing of design, it's like a second start, it seems logical for a "Revolution" !
Good job.
14
by rthrash 17-Aug-08 08:37 PM
The typeface holds up well when used in a very small context (thing footer button) and in more normal sizes. Works well as B&W as noted above or in grayscale/color. Those are imporant distinctions to me to consider when creating a logo.
15
by therebechips 18-Aug-08 04:06 AM
I love the box metaphor. As we say in our studio, it's got 'legs'. Have to agree that the font seems slightly mismatched - the box has sharper edges and something like neo sans might have been a good marriage.
http://www.myfonts.com/search?search[text]=neosans
All in all though, a super job!
http://www.myfonts.com/search?search[text]=neosans
All in all though, a super job!
16
Logo design by coleh 19-Aug-08 04:24 AM
At the risk of sounding like a grumpy old fart, I think the logo is pretty uninspiring.
The idea behind it is solid and I really like the box metaphor but personally think the implementation isn't too good. It almost certainly won't scale as well as the current MODx logo and the colours don't really work for me. Green is a logical (r)evolution from the current MODx branding but the purpley/pinkey/magenta colour just makes me think of Cesar Romero.
Agree with others that the typeface is weak. Could defo use some beefing up with a heavier weight to counteract the lower case.
Sorry for being so negative but its only because I feel passionate about the MODx CMS and think its visual identity could be stronger.
The idea behind it is solid and I really like the box metaphor but personally think the implementation isn't too good. It almost certainly won't scale as well as the current MODx logo and the colours don't really work for me. Green is a logical (r)evolution from the current MODx branding but the purpley/pinkey/magenta colour just makes me think of Cesar Romero.
Agree with others that the typeface is weak. Could defo use some beefing up with a heavier weight to counteract the lower case.
Sorry for being so negative but its only because I feel passionate about the MODx CMS and think its visual identity could be stronger.
17
by ConseilsWeb 19-Aug-08 12:14 PM
Awesome. I like it.
Now where are those badges so I can spread the word.
Now where are those badges so I can spread the word.
18
Typeface by Funk247 21-Aug-08 08:29 AM
I agree with the others who have commented that the type face is weak. The 'open box' metaphor is beautiful in its simplicity and execution, but that to have it bookended with a plain font in dull colours detracts from the impact of the logo.
Keep the box by all means but please go back to the drawing board re: the font.
Can I be the first to suggest comic sans or curlz MT?
Keep the box by all means but please go back to the drawing board re: the font.
Can I be the first to suggest comic sans or curlz MT?
19
Kudos ! by davidm 23-Aug-08 04:58 AM
While I can understand how one would consider the typeface to be "weak" (though it seems too strong a word for me :P), it's been my experience that the aspects that Ryan mentions above overule any funky-cool looking considerations...
Not everyone will love it, but they will be able to read it and design consistency will benefit. Plus some (like me) will like it very much :)
Not everyone will love it, but they will be able to read it and design consistency will benefit. Plus some (like me) will like it very much :)
20
Some revision of my opinion by Pikachu 26-Aug-08 02:57 AM
In fact, I just see this logo with "Revolution" under the word modx, and you are right davidm, it sounds really cool. This big picture without the word revolution seems not as cool as the little one ;) Hope we'll see soon the new design of the website, and the "spread modx" images!
Ryan and the team, thank you!
PS : In my last message I asked you the old logo of wtf.modxcms.com as a "souvenir", is it possible ?
Ryan and the team, thank you!
PS : In my last message I asked you the old logo of wtf.modxcms.com as a "souvenir", is it possible ?
21
Rebranding deadline by SeanPH 26-Aug-08 11:44 PM
If, theoretically, this were not the final design, when is the MODx rebranding deadline for concept submissions?
22
ModX box by coleh 27-Aug-08 06:55 AM
Whilst I like the box concept, noticed that it has been done before for the 2007 dConstruct conference run by clear:left in Brighton:
http://2007.dconstruct.org/#bigfooter
http://2007.dconstruct.org/#bigfooter
24
holding up by silentio 29-Aug-08 08:17 AM
Sure: the typo will hold up in smaller sizes. But will the visual too? With its shadows/colors/virtual 3Dperspective?
I do not believe it will work as a footer or favicon. And, left alone for this reason, the typo will appear as, well, "almost nothing". I guess a "lowres" version of the image will be needed, focused on the typical, individual "x"shape that the box creates, as a clear 2D shape with less bells and whistles, i.e. shadows, gradients, angles.
I do not believe it will work as a footer or favicon. And, left alone for this reason, the typo will appear as, well, "almost nothing". I guess a "lowres" version of the image will be needed, focused on the typical, individual "x"shape that the box creates, as a clear 2D shape with less bells and whistles, i.e. shadows, gradients, angles.
25
agreed, Typeface by digitalmaster 04-Sep-08 01:21 PM
I too agree that the typeface is rather "un-harmonic" with the overall look and feel of the amazing box image.
I also think it's better to maintain the "MODx" caps setting, as apposed to just "modx". MODx encourages proper pronunciation of the the term. MOD---X
Just a though ^_^
I also think it's better to maintain the "MODx" caps setting, as apposed to just "modx". MODx encourages proper pronunciation of the the term. MOD---X
Just a though ^_^
26
its okay by rajfantastic 16-Sep-08 11:01 AM
i much prefer the original typeface... the logo could be reduced, but overall it looks very friendly and professional.
27
Change the typeface by simonok 16-Sep-08 02:45 PM
The type is bloody awful - it has no character (no pun intended), its really bland as hell, is that what we want to say?
Come on, we are better than that.
Come on, we are better than that.
28
typeface look sad by coroico 22-Sep-08 05:29 PM
Come back to the previous typeface and Keep the caps : MODx.
29
um, by michaelm 22-Sep-08 08:49 PM
The typeface isn't too bad - it doesn't look good next to the box, because, yeh, the type is a little big - and there's a little bit too much kerning.... the thing that bugs me the most is the perspective on the box, either it's completely mong, or the angle is such that it seems mong. The shading is kinda nice... who's the cheeky beggar that put that green and purplink together?
It's definately a solid start - there's a nice idea behind it :D
It's definately a solid start - there's a nice idea behind it :D
30
Ride the wave by scott.damery 27-Sep-08 06:59 PM
I am inspired to work with Modx Revolution will it actually become Revolutionx? or perhaps Modr or ModR? I am not sure if Modxcms actually stands for anything except of course I know what CMS stands for...maybe.
I am hoping to find time to make my site presentable and then help with the community so we can all manage our little worlds.
See my progress @ DameryWorld.com
beware my server is changing soon so give me a good week.
I am hoping to find time to make my site presentable and then help with the community so we can all manage our little worlds.
See my progress @ DameryWorld.com
beware my server is changing soon so give me a good week.
32
font by wocumc 03-Oct-08 03:47 PM
I am on the fence with this logo.
How about make each letter of the text composed of simple 3d cubes - to show the idea that a floppy box does form something organized and contained. I also agree with michael, the angle of the box might be awkward or something. Good concept, difficult to execute in an eye pleasing way.
How about make each letter of the text composed of simple 3d cubes - to show the idea that a floppy box does form something organized and contained. I also agree with michael, the angle of the box might be awkward or something. Good concept, difficult to execute in an eye pleasing way.
33
Revolution design competition by wocumc 03-Oct-08 03:51 PM
So, modx, you attract alot of designers. Why not have a logo competition for a new logo for Revolution? I think any designer would like to have their work showcased by this awesome CMF.
35
mod in the box by iRolf 31-Oct-08 02:20 PM
Yeah, I like that logo. Not only for getting the X-Mas mood, but something like that. It's promising something.
I don't want to point something out that is negative, but me eyes stumbles on the rearward part: either the shadow or the angle of this side doesn't fit my perspective viewing. But don't mindX that...
I'm looking forward any future trends and enhancements modx will provide.
I don't want to point something out that is negative, but me eyes stumbles on the rearward part: either the shadow or the angle of this side doesn't fit my perspective viewing. But don't mindX that...
I'm looking forward any future trends and enhancements modx will provide.
36
by rthrash 07-Nov-08 10:31 AM
There will be a competition of some sort and it should involve design, but it won't be for the logo or the site design. The guys at signalfeuer. have done an amazing job with that!
Maybe we'll have a content pack competition to come up with the modx equivalent of Kubrick for Wordpress along with some baseline content showcasing some of the cool things you can do with modx.
Maybe we'll have a content pack competition to come up with the modx equivalent of Kubrick for Wordpress along with some baseline content showcasing some of the cool things you can do with modx.
38
Can I use this Logo? by C0smo 30-Nov-08 06:24 AM
Hi!
Do you allow me to take this logo into a Xing Group?
Here you can find it, and if you want I make some english language Categories.
https://www.xing.com/net/modx-cms/
Do you allow me to take this logo into a Xing Group?
Here you can find it, and if you want I make some english language Categories.
https://www.xing.com/net/modx-cms/
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Kudos to signalfeuer for great job. Get the web buttons ready... oh I already saw what's behind the curtain, its delicious. Keep watching fellow modx'ers.