July Logo Remix: Aki Ruiz
Every month, we invite a new artist to take the ThinkNW logo and make it their own. For our July Logo Remix, we asked Portland-based illustrator, Aki Ruiz, to reimagine our brand.
How did you initially want to approach your interpretation of the ThinkNW logo? What were your thoughts and inspiration?
I knew that I wanted to incorporate nature in some way. My initial sketches were of golden fields, grey beaches, and moss-covered stones. Ultimately, I went with my very first idea of a desert scape.
How did the direction in designing the ThinkNW logo evolve/change over time?
Although I explored several different concepts, I ended up going back to my first idea of having the logo in a rocky desert landscape. In the very beginning stages, the logo stood in its literal form. In the process of developing the final sketch, the desert swallowed it up and it became a part of the landscape.
When did you know that art was something that you wanted to pursue?
I can’t say which particular picture book, comic book, or animation was the very first to resonate with me, but I remember the feeling of being a child and seeing that art could be magic. I found myself searching for a specific kind of story that I just couldn’t find. I realized that the only way to find these stories was to create them myself.
What are your biggest inspirations in your art (i.e., people, places, things)?
My biggest inspirations are the spaces in-between, the magic of the ordinary, and the study of light.
Do you think that you have a style? If so, how would you describe it? If not, why is that?
Experimenting with different styles and media helps me grow as an artist. Consistently in every piece I create, I am thinking about light, color, and how I can use those things to tell a story.
What is most important to you when expressing your art?
Capturing a story. Even if it’s something small like “who lit a lone campfire in the middle of the desert?”
Where do you feel your art is going next?
I am looking to move toward developing art for indie games! In the past, I developed small games in Flash to create a more immersive and interactive environment for my art. I’m hoping to use those skills in a larger team setting.
