The story behind the Trunk Studio name and logo December 30 2012
The first step of creating a design brand is to find a name and logo that suits. Here is the story behind Trunk Studio.
The Trunk Studio name:
1. My mom and I have always had an affinity for elephants (and what's an elephant without a trunk!). We have picked up some beautiful pieces from our travels in India. Ganesh is the God of good luck in the Hindu religion and is the dispeller of problems and obstacles. He is also worshipped as the God of wisdom, wealth, health and happiness. All things to wish for when starting out on the stressful and rewarding adventure of design & entrepreneurship! Hence, the incorporation of an elephant 'trunk' in the Trunk Studio name.
In my parents home and my home you can find an elephant in almost every room. In fact, there is a small jade elephant beside my computer as I write this from my office.
2. Trees have trunks! Pretty self explanatory I think? Our furniture is made from solid hardwood that comes from the trunks of trees. Trees are the world's most renewable resource as they can be re-planted and provide plenty of oxygen for our atmosphere along the way.
3. The first piece of furniture that my parents gave me was a beautiful antique trunk that they received on their wedding day. This pine trunk has been scratched, repaired and transported many times. Growing up it held our winter clothing and now it serves as a coffee table in my living room.
The Trunk Studio logo:
By using a lettermark for a logo I could evoke the Danish modern tradition of branding each piece with text to designate the designer/craftsmen that created it.
The top of the letter 'T' extends into a tree trunk atop the lettering. This trunk has tree branches that are capped off with arrows. These arrows represent moving forward and progressing in the world of design and ethics. For example, each piece of furniture is unique in its design and product is handcrafted in Canada by artists being paid fair wages in healthy work environments.
The dot represents the sun. My zodiac sign is the Leo which is ruled by the sun. Leos are creative and enthusiastic, but also very stubborn! I think the stubborn part helps in entrepreneurship however.
As well, the colour red is associated with the Canadian flag, our national sports teams and by the changing leaves in fall. Trunk Studio is inspired by a Canadian aesthetic so I thought the colour red needed to be part of the logo.
