When Quinton from Funky Monkey Solutions reached out, he had a clear vision: a “Gorillaz”-style monkey head with a hard hat, sunglasses, and oilfield symbols. While I always aim to bring my client’s vision to life, my job also involves digging deeper to explore other possibilities. So, I set out to find the perfect blend of creativity and functionality to craft a logo that truly represents his evolving business.

I created three versions based on this idea: one inspired by his existing logo, one modelled after the “Gorillaz” image he requested, and a third that was entirely off-script, fitting the look and feel I believed his brand needed.

From there, it was about pairing these designs with elements Quinton requested, like oil derricks, hard hats, and sunglasses. I had some reservations about including all these elements in the design. Logos are meant to be simple and clean, especially if used on decals, vehicles, and other materials. Adding the hard hat and glasses can sometimes alter the look of the monkey to the point where it becomes unrecognizable. My goal was to balance Quinton’s vision with the principles of effective logo design, ensuring we created something that truly represented Funky Monkey Solutions Inc. while remaining practical and impactful.

Quinton liked the off-script gorilla head I came up with. He agreed that all the added elements made it hard to distinguish the gorilla head, so we had to find a middle ground – but he was adamant about including the oilfield symbols and a hard hat. It was up to me to weave all these elements into a cohesive design. I focused on maintaining the bold, dynamic feel of the gorilla head while subtly integrating the oilfield symbols.

When it came to adding colour schemes to the Funky Monkey Solutions logo, I presented four distinct options, each with its vibe and message:

1. Blue/Brown: Blue represents trust, reliability, and professionalism, making it a great choice for a business offering oilfield consulting services. Brown adds a realistic feel to the monkey, which complements the industrial aspect of the rest of the design.
2. Black/Grey: This combination is all about sophistication and modernity. Black conveys power and authority, while grey adds a sleek, understated touch. Together, they create a strong, professional image.
3. Orange/Black: Orange is vibrant and energetic, signalling creativity and enthusiasm. It is also a known colour for safety. Paired with black, which adds a layer of seriousness and sophistication, this scheme strikes a balance between playful and professional – a nod to the ‘funky’ in Funky Monkey Solutions.
4. Dark Red/Black: Dark red symbolizes strength, determination, and passion. When combined with black, it creates a bold, commanding presence. This color scheme is ideal for making a strong impression and conveying a sense of power and reliability.

Each scheme was designed to communicate a different aspect of Funky Monkey Solutions, ensuring that the final choice would align perfectly with Quinton’s vision and the business’s brand identity.

The end result? A logo that’s clean, recognizable, and packed with the personality and professionalism Funky Monkey Solutions Inc. stands for. By taking Quinton’s initial idea and adding a creative twist, we were able to develop a logo that truly stands out while staying true to the core essence of his business. The off-script gorilla head, paired with key oilfield symbols and a hard hat, creates a cohesive and powerful image that speaks directly to the diverse services offered by Funky Monkey Solutions.

This project was a fun challenge, and seeing Quinton’s excitement over the final design made it all worth it.

Graphic Design Skills Used: Vector Graphic Creation; Layout Design; Colour Theory; Typography

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