The xx logo reflects the band's minimalist sound through its simplicity yet versatility. It uses specific symmetrical proportions to differentiate from other crosses while still being commonly recognizable. The Bauhaus logo is inspired by the influential German design school, reflecting the band's modernist sound through different artistic elements. Prince's unpronounceable symbol logo became synonymous with the artist as a retaliation for slowed creative output, incorporating a cross to show conflicting yet harmonious ideas through its purposeful asymmetry like the human body.

1. Logo Analysis
By Sharon Li

2. The xx
The xx are a British indie band, known for their
minimalistic dream pop sound.
Their music is reflected in the simplicity of their logo, which is
not only striking, but versatile, which has allowed them to make
many variations for different albums.

3. According to the lead singer Romy Madley Croft, the name was simply an aesthetic
thing, with no particular meaning. She said that the name was open to interpretation,
and was purposefully made to be ambiguous. They show this in the logo by allowing it
to be transferable, with different backgrounds portraying different moods.
The “x” is made with specific proportions, symmetrical and square, which
differentiates it from other crosses. Despite this, it still is a common design, and
although it has become synonymous with the band, it has still nevertheless been
duplicated in other places.

4. Bauhaus
Although Bauhaus is not very similar to Jorja Smith as an artist, I still thought it would
be interesting to include, because I really like how interesting and striking their logo is.
I personally think it is very aesthetically pleasing, and could be something to take
inspiration from for our own logo design.

5. The angular face is inspired by the works of the eponymous Bauhaus School of
Design in Germany, which was extremely influential in the world of architecture and
art. The band chose the name based on it’s stylistic implications, which arose
following the abolition of censorship under the new Weimar Republic. The signature
Bauhaus style was shaped by modernism, and sought to combine art with craft and
technology, creating works that placed emphasis on functionality rather than
aesthetics. This particular logo reflects the modernist sound that the band projects,
which incorporates many different elements, including synth, psychedelic and gothic
rock.

6. Prince
Prince’s 12th album, and one of his most successful, was titled simply with the
unpronounceable “Love Symbol #2”. This symbol became synonymous with the artist,
and for a period of time, he had his name changed to the sign, described simply as a
combination of both the male and female symbols.

7. The symbol was a retaliation to Warner Bros for slowing his creative
output, by defying phonetics as unpronounceable. Prince saw both
masculinity and femininity as important and intertwined. It also
incorporates a cross, and shows ideas in conflict but also harmony; sex
vs. religion, man vs woman. The logo isn’t perfectly symmetrical either,
and was done on purpose. The scroll is not exactly circular and the
crossbar is slightly askew, because like the human body, it is
asymmetrical.

8. • For our logo, we want to incorporate elements
from all three previously explored design. We
want it to be as versatile as “the xx” band logo, as
striking and aesthetically appealing as the
Bauhaus logo, and be rich in meaning and have
social implications, like Prince’s logo.
• It should have elements of modernity mixed with
simplicity, and possibly include symbols of female
empowerment, cultural identity – whilst being
recognizable and suited to Jorja Smith.