kids kinetics

2024

Kids Kinetics was conceived as a branded extracurricular class for a charter school, a playful, movement-based program designed to help the littlest learners develop motor skills in a fun, energetic setting. The goal was to create a visual identity that could live adjacent to the main studio brand, while feeling distinctly tailored to this younger audience.

I began by researching visual languages common in early childhood branding: educational platforms, preschools, and toy companies. I identified key traits throughout these references: rounded letterforms, tactile textures, and a cheerful, saturated color palette. Soft corners and playful type alignment became the foundation for the typography.

Two key design ideas emerged and were explored:

1. Movement Made Visible: To emphasize the brand’s kinetic spirit, I introduced a bouncing tittle (the dot above the “i”), leaping from one letter to the next, a nod to physical play and motion.
   
2. Character-Driven Engagement: A custom “k” character made from angling the ascender and legs of the k to evoke an exuberant child with arms and legs outstretched. It served as a mascot-like presence, an opportunity for the logo to have a stand in for the enrollees.
   

To extend the visual system, I expanded on the studio’s signature purple, building a complementary palette of bright, kid-friendly hues for broader application across collateral.Unfortunately, just as I was preparing to present the concepts, the initiative was put on hold due to shifting interest and lower-than-expected enrollment. While this version of Kids Kinetics won’t be launching just yet, the branding remains ready to spring back into action when the time is right.