Checkmate – Spec Ad Campaign
Overview
My Role: Logo Design, Concept Development, Illustration
Timeline: 1 Week
Tools: Illustrator, Photoshop
Checkmate is a short film created for the Musicbed 2025 Spec Ad Challenge. The logo design for the project was requested by filmmaker and creator Calebdidthat, who needed a visual mark to represent the film.
The goal was to create a simple and recognizable logo that communicates the concept of dating as a strategic game. The design combines a chess king with a heart and checkmark symbol, representing the idea of success or “winning” in relationships.
The final mark was designed to remain clear and recognizable across digital formats such as video thumbnails, title cards, and promotional graphics.
Client: Calebdidthat
Designer: Brittney Gooby
Initial Logo Concepts
Final Logo
What I Did
The design process began by exploring visual connections between chess imagery and romantic symbolism. Since the film’s concept revolves around dating as a strategic game, chess pieces became the foundation for the visual direction.
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Early concepts focused on simplified chess forms and expressive line work. I experimented with different icon styles and proportions before refining the shape into a clear silhouette of a king chess piece.
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To reinforce the theme of relationships and emotional stakes, a heart and checkmark symbol were added above the king. This combination creates a visual metaphor for “winning the game” of dating.
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The final logo balances simplicity with personality, allowing it to remain recognizable and adaptable across different visual uses.