Client
Sokol Winnipeg
Location
Winnipeg
Services
Branding, Logo, Color Palette, Font, Patterns, Concept, Illustration, Mascot Development, Typography, Final Vector Logo
This project focused on refreshing the visual identity of Sokol Winnipeg, a Polish cultural and gymnastic association with over a century of history in Manitoba.
The goal was to create a logo and supporting visuals that honor the organization’s Polish roots, heritage, and strong community spirit, while keeping the design clean and timeless for modern use.
The Creative Journey
With this project, I supported Sokol Winnipeg, a historic Polish cultural organization, in bringing their identity to life through design. My work spanned from concept development to polished, print-ready materials — crafting a logo that respects tradition, choosing fonts and colors rooted in Polish heritage, and building practical assets like a letterhead and constitution booklet layout. The process combined attention to history, clear communication needs, and modern usability, resulting in a cohesive brand identity that serves both official and community purposes.
The process combined attention to history, clear communication needs, and modern usability, resulting in a cohesive brand identity that serves both official and community purposes.
Primary Palette
Obsidian Noir – A strong black tone that conveys heritage, resilience, and timeless elegance, grounding the design with contrast and formality for official communications.
Crimson Velvet – A deep, rich red symbolizing courage, passion, and the Polish national spirit. This color reflects both the vibrancy of Polish folk traditions and the enduring strength of the Sokol movement.
White Pearl – A clean, soft white representing purity, unity, and openness. It balances the palette, offering lightness and space, much like the white of the Polish flag.
Secondary Palette
Mahogany – A warm, earthy red-brown, inspired by wooden halls, historic banners, and traditional Polish craftsmanship, adding depth and authenticity to the brand.
Champagne – A soft, light beige tone symbolizing celebration, heritage, and warmth, offering a subtle highlight for invitations and event materials.
Amber – A golden hue that pays homage to Baltic amber, a gemstone deeply connected to Polish culture, representing history, beauty, and prestige.
Typography
Headings: Aviano Serif — classic and bold, reflecting history and tradition.
Body text: Crimson Text — elegant and highly legible for longer documents, like the constitution book and letters.
This pairing gives a heritage-inspired look while ensuring modern readability in both English and Polish texts.
The Challenge
One of the key challenges of this project was designing a logo that works equally well in both Polish and English, as the organization uses two long, formal names: Polskie Towarzystwo Gimnastyczne “Sokół” and Polish Gymnastic Association “Sokol”. The goal was to maintain readability and balance without making the logo feel crowded or losing its visual appeal. Through careful typography selection, spacing adjustments, and layout testing, I created a mark that respects both languages and preserves the strength, tradition, and clarity of the brand.
Supporting Visual Elements
To make the identity more approachable and lively, I created a set of custom icons inspired by Polish folklore. These illustrations add playfulness and cultural richness to promotional materials and pair well with the secondary color palette for social posts and community-focused designs.
Balancing Tradition and Joy
The primary color palette—Crimson Velvet, White Pearl, and Obsidian Noir—was intentionally designed to feel powerful, traditional, and serious, reflecting the strong heritage of Sokol Winnipeg and its role in patriotic and formal events. To balance this, we developed a secondary palette for more casual and everyday use, especially across social media and community-focused materials.
Amber, in particular, brings warmth, positivity, and a welcoming vibe, making it perfect for engaging with younger audiences and adding energy to event promotions. Paired with the custom folk-inspired icon se I designed, the secondary palette introduces a playful yet traditional tone, giving the visual identity flexibility for both ceremonial and joyful occasions.
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