Redesigning the Grindr logo
Mask4Masc
The Grindr logo had quickly become an iconic symbol within the gay community. While I wasn’t on the design team during the logo’s original creation, I can give some background on its origins, inspiration behind it, and how I approached redesigning a logo that had become a symbol for gay culture in tech.
The metaphor
Mask
On the surface, a mask can be used as a disguise, for performance, or protection. But a mask can also be powerful and a little rough. Specifically in Grindr’s case, there’s an edginess that creates a masculine feeling. Often compared to a gimp mask the logo also invoked a sense of dominance. More intentional however, the icon harks back to primal social networks or tribes.
Exploring
Shapes
The eyes are the window to the soul. In the case for the Grindr logo, this meant that every shape mattered. The shape of the mask and the shape and tilt of the eyes could conjure a wide range of emotions. The challenge was to strike the right balance of modern, mature, friendly, but with an edge.
Final Direction
Refining the shape
After the team settled on a few final mask shapes I fine tuned angles, eye shapes, eye positions, and potential mask embellishments.
Typography explorations
Final Logo
The team eventually merged two concepts together to create the final logo. A hybrid of the structured mask shape with softer, rounded eyes along with the custom font in title case that kept the lockup feeling friendly and modern.
