VAJRA
Fins Academy of Learning
THE PROCESS
Fins Academy of Learning aims to develop the students' instincts, reflexes and their intelligence through this method of learning. Making the child more independent, awakening the physical, behavioural, emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects of every individual.
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As part of our Branding Class during college, we were made to pick an animal, after which at random we were assigned a specific sector. The sea-animal I selected was a shark and I was assigned a School that my branding assignment was based off on.
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We had to do everything right from conceptualisation of the school, strategy, naming, curriculum along with the visual identity, brand guidelines and visual communication for the same.
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Fins Academy is a new school in the heart of Mumbai, established in 2017. The school follows the Waldorf system of Education from Kindergarden to Grade 10, alongside the IGCSE Curriculum after Grade 7. It is the third Waldorf school to be established in Mumbai and the first one in South Mumbai. The learning process of this system is very different when compared to other formal institutions as it promotes holistic learning rather than most formal education systems.
Developing the students instincts, reflexes and their intelligence is the schools motto. ins Academy of Learning awakens the physical, behavioural, emotional, cognitive and spiritual aspects of every individual.
It is ideal for parents who want their children to have more than just a formal education and excel not only in academics but in extra curriculars. Most Indian School’s lack to maintain the balance between both these aspects but we ensure to maintain the harmony with a friendly yet profound environment.
Intially I experimented only with using the pencil and creating things that would directly reflect with the name, I was drawing a fin, a silhoutee of the shark and wasn't thinking outside the box
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After alot of research about the Shark, the different kinds and their behaviours I came across a concept of "The Circling of Sharks" which we see most often in movies - as right before the sharks attack their victim but infact that's not entirely true. Sharks do not circle in the water before they attack, it is simply their way of trying to form an image of what they are confronting in the water this motion is a sign of pure curiosity and not an incentive to circle its prey and feed.
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After this, I changed my Medium and started experimenting with brushes and brush strokes around the concept of circling of sharks. After numerous attempts I finally came to one form that I was absolutely intrigued by. Hence I decided to digitalise it. It didn't have the exact flare and motion that was through the brush but it came out really well.
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After digitalising, came upon another set of challenges as to how far to take it to and how far to move between the actual drawing and whether it would make sense. I made many iterations of the same until I was happy with one.
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After that I experimented with multiple typefaces and colours, gradients to make sure it looked like a school.
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The colour palette of Fins is dominated by the two blue colours (freedom, intuition, imagination, inspiration, and sensitivity. Blue also represents meanings of depth, trust, loyalty, sincerity, wisdom, confidence, stability, faith, and intelligence ) but other than that it has a vibrant and bright colour palette. Every different section of the school is colour coded based on their nature.
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The final logo was then selected and kept to the side and post which I had to make the Brand Guidelines for the same.
Fins Academy of Learning has a certain set of values that they uphold.
–We act with loyalty, honesty and integrity
–We believe that movement, music, drama, and other forms of artistic expression nurture the healthy development of children
–Have a passion for and dedication to excellence
–We strive to bring an extensive and deep curriculum while valuing talented teachers
– We work deliberately and affectionately to adjust shape and opportunity. We perceive the requirement for clarity of process, confide in the leadership bodies, and streamlining endeavours. We embrace collaborative leadership when suitable while keeping up an accord procedure as the premise of our work.
The house system is a traditional system that has been adopted by our school. The house system embodies the values of the school and is an integral part of the school. Students will represent these houses through the years. It encourages friendly competition and group loyalty during inter-school competitions. The four houses are named after four different sharks.
The school had an overall very welcoming element as it did to its values and mission as well.
