Expression · 09

Expression

Expression · 09

The Credo, the Four Checks, and everything above live in the work, not in this guide. Expression is where Logos becomes tangible.

Every output we make is in one of two registers. The register is a property of the work, not of the person who makes it. This means registers are not ranks; the same contributor can produce outputs in both registers simultaneously.

When speaking as Logos, use the full system. When speaking for Logos, align with the Four Checks.

The lambda

The lambda belongs to the movement. Draw it, print it, wear it, remix it. You do not need permission to use it. However, always remember that Logos outputs should be recognised by their substance, which is ensured by holding them up to the Four Checks.

Making it ours without a rule book

When producing outputs in the "For Logos" register, there are no strict visual rules. However, work should stay recognisable in the way a tradition does, not the way a franchise does.

The lineage: Our aesthetic descends from traditions that are creative, resourceful, and break the status quo: think zine and xerox culture, early internet aesthetics, ASCII art, videogames, 3D printing, repair cafes, and field documentation, among others. If the work sits naturally in that lineage and follows the Four Checks, it will read as Logos.

If in doubt, consider the following:

• Manual, not glossy.
• Infrastructure, not consumer app.
• Tools, not toys.
• Field documentation, not marketing collateral.
• Way-finding, not decoration.

The tokens, type, and palette in the Visual System are available if you find them useful. Using them can help to align your outputs with Logos' visual identity but is not strictly necessary.

The contexts

Whatever the register, expressions fall into three potentially overlapping contexts. The examples are for guidance and not a complete list.