SpaceX branding Logo Mistakes, Corrections, and Finishing Touches
The first version of the SpaceX logo shows the beginning of the brand promise — cutting edge space technology and fearless progress.
<iframe width=”560" height=”315" src=”https://www.youtube.com/embed/eg2zx2UGXZQ" frameborder=”0" allow=”accelerometer; autoplay; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture” allowfullscreen></iframe>
_Weighting
The vertical weights of all of the letters need to be slightly thinned to optically match the thickness of the horizontals.
_Spacing
There’s too much space between the A and the C. Although space is important to humanity’s future, it’s important that kerning be managed more professionally.
_Breaking Structural
oddities in this letter communicate ameteurism more than tasteful originality. Judicious application of creative styling would benefit this letter and the logo as a whole .
_Sharp Edge Chamfers
The chamfer cuts on the extreme points of the X are distinct, but feel a little gimmicky when compared to the maturity and sophistication SpaceX deserves.
_Pinching
These inside edges come too close to the large X curve and create a visual pinch. Carefully adjusting these points will help the eye follow the curve more cleanly.
_End Shard
This long curve tapers too gradually, which feels frail and creates a tangent. A deliberate endpoint is stronger and more structurally sound.
_Heroes
As a whole, the SpaceX logo has too many juvenile quirks and abnormalities for the quality it deserves. For this logo, the X should be the hero and the other letters should be subordinate.
_Chamfering
Many of the chamfering angles are inconsistent. Smoothing them out would help the lettering feel cohesive.
_Horizontal Weights
Horizontal weights in letterforms should be made optically consistent so the weights can be balanced instead of fluctuating heights. Notice the crossbar of the S, the C, and the E all have irregular heights.
Better readability from near and far. The updated logo design delivers a sharp experience in every execution, most notably in the vertical treatment of the logo.
Like space exploration, the new logo merely stands on the shoulders of the logo before it, and advances the messaging to new frontiers.
My passion is building brands and to ensure visual quality on digital and printed materials for one of the greatest brands on (and off) the planet and make sure the martians have a good first impression of SpaceX.
