SF Gaymers Logo Redesign 2023

SF Gaymers is an organization based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Their mission is to connect LGBTQ+ video game and board game enthusiasts across the Bay Area, as well as provide charity and education opportunities for the LGBTQ+ and gaming communities. The logo was redesigned to tie in with its 2023 Halloween fundraiser and its 501(c)3 announcement in 2024.

Problem

The redesign was aiming to solve two problems:

The shape of the 2020 logo made it hard to read on busy backgrounds or in a small format.

Nothing in the 2020 logo drew attention to its association with the San Francisco Bay Area or gaming.

Sketch and Process

Earliest sketches of the 2023 logo played with graffiti and sports logo styles. Later on, the idea of the video game controller shape came into mind.

XBOX, PS5, and Nintendo Switch Pro controller shapes were averaged using Adobe Illustrator to create a generic modern controller shape (left). Typeface and Golden Gate bridge style inspiration (right).

Near-final style options that didn’t make the cut. The script typeface (left) isn’t legible in smaller sizes, and the geometric typeface (right) skewed too masculine and was a bit outdated. Also, the detail was lost in smaller sizes.