Ballbot

The Ballbot robotics project from Carnegie Mellon lacked strong brand recognition. With the help of their researchers I designed its new identity including their logo, color palette, and design system.

Designed for

Carnegie Mellon University

Role and Contribution

Corporate Identity

Graphic Design

Web Design

Space

Robotics

Date

May 2018

Background

How Might We

Ballbot, a pioneering robotics project from Carnegie Mellon University, introduced Omni-Directional Balancing Robots, showcasing a new way robots could interact with and assist people. Despite its groundbreaking nature, the project struggled to gain recognition beyond academic circles due to the absence of a cohesive brand identity.


So How Might We design a cohesive and impactful brand identity for Ballbot, to elevate its visibility and position it as a leader in robotics innovation beyond academic circles, by reflecting its professionalism, groundbreaking technology, and potential real-world applications?


Working closely with Roberto Shu, one of the lead engineers, I took on the challenge of designing the project’s corporate identity. The goal was to create a visual and strategic identity that reflected Ballbot's innovation, professionalism, and potential for real-world applications. The branding process involved crafting a distinctive logo, defining a cohesive color palette, and developing a versatile design system to position the project as not just an academic pursuit but a potential leader in robotics innovation. This new identity aimed to resonate with stakeholders, from investors to collaborators, elevating Ballbot's visibility and impact.

Design Process

Brand Concept

A tribute to the creators and a flagship for the scientific community.


A balance between the modern and the traditional, Ballbot feels as if it has always been there, much like its enduring presence in the robotics and scientific community.It is as deep as it is intriguing, fitting comfortably within academic circles yet remaining relevant and attractive to anyone captivated by technology.A journey to place humans and robots side by side.

Isotype

Based on the yellow color of its original cover pads, I focused on creating a powerful symbol using circles, leveraging the emphasis on how Ballbot robots work and they find balance.