I’m from Japan, where New Year is particularly important. It’s a time for observing detailed rituals and customs (exchanging new year cards, eating particular food, going to the shrine or temple), quietly reflecting on the past year, as well as preparing for what is to come in the new year. It’s also the one time in Japan that people take time off from work to be with their families!
In the same vein as the Japanese new year card, I designed a commemorative graphic celebrating the new year and the new Automattic visual brand identity. This particular design was printed as a postcard, and I took this, as well as other variations, to make some simple animations by experimenting with codepen.
Theme of “I”
Using the new Automattic visual identity, this design was inspired by the idea of WordPress continually supporting the “I” of the customer. This is visualized by the 1 being also an I, and by using the dual circle motif from the new Automattic visual identity to express focus and support of WordPress. The colors used are also the new product colors of blue and pink. In the animation, the moving shadow gives a sense of the perpetual light shining on the “I” , and acts as a sort of sundial.
Theme of “Building”
This variation conveys a sense of discrete parts that are assembled together. The colors are from the darker range of the new brand colors. Again, in the animation, the moving shadow gives a sense of the perpetual light shining on the “I” , and acts as a sort of sundial.
Theme of Lighthouse
This version conveys a sense of the “I” as a kind of lighthouse shining outwards onto the world.
Theme of “Growth”
This version conveys a growing “I”. The colors motif is computer-esque of “RGB.”
Automattic Design 