Lead Designer: Logo Design
eWHALES
Brand identity for initiative mining weather data from historic whaling logbooks
THE STORY
eWHALES—extracting Weather data: Historical Analysis of Logbooks from Early Ships—is a collaborative research initiative between Woods Hole Oceanographic Institution, UMass Dartmouth, and Providence Public Library. The project digitizes and extracts climate data from 18th- and 19th-century whaling logbooks to better understand historical weather patterns. These archival records offer insights into wind speed, rainfall, and storm activity—filling gaps in climate models and informing modern planning for coastal hazards, extreme weather, and climate risk.
MY ROLE
I designed the logo for eWHALES to reflect the project’s goals and enhance its visibility across digital and print materials. I worked with the lead senior scientist to develop a logo that referenced both maritime history and modern climate science, as the initiative is infusing archival data with new scientific meaning. My work included logo design, color palette development, and typography selection, all crafted to ensure the identity could scale across digital and print media.
Inspiration
I was inspired by the visual motifs found in 19th-century whaling logbooks—drawn whale silhouettes, carved tail stamps, weather notations, and nautical illustrations. These documents carry a visual and archival richness that feels both personal and historical. I was especially drawn to the repetition of whale forms, expressive ink work, and the tactile quality of handwritten entries.
Design Approach
The carved whale tail stamps used by whalers to mark their catch became a central design reference. This motif shaped the stylized tail integrated into the custom lowercase “e,” symbolizing the surfacing of archival data for modern climate research. I paired this with a modern, industrial typeface to reflect the rugged origins of the whaling industry, and used a nautical palette of deep navy and cyan to echo the weathered tones of old logbooks. The overall silhouette subtly mimics the form of a whale, embedding movement and discovery into the identity.
