#cyclr

Our newest favourite website/blog: @Cyclr. Dedicated to cycling design, innovation and brand news.

Back in January we allowed ourselves to be tempted by new electric metal from Derringer, largely because its café racer-inspired looks hid all that sparky stuff that stops you pedalling.

Now we have these, from Barcelona-based Oto Cycles – a similar concept but with an even more retro look. Those tanks hide 250w electric motors and the not-so-old-school digital displays will tell you how close you are to the 65kph top speed.

They're kinda charming in their own way, even with a gaping hole where you might expect some combustion parts. But worry not, we haven't gone soft. We still like pedals and we still don't ride electric bicycles. Or new ones really, for that matter. But we can look, can't we?

Found via Cyclr. More information from Oto Cycles.

Written by Kobi Ansong, Cyclr Communications Director & co-founder

Ladies and Gentlemen, I introduce you to The Scope, Cyclr’s new social icon. What exactly is a social icon and how the heck is it different from a logo?

Essentially they’re the same: visually-pleasing symbols that represent a brand. The difference comes into usage and implementation. 

Logos are typically the name of the company written in a specific font and stylized to match the company’s aesthetic. Social icons, on the other hand, are usually symbols that can represent the brand apart from the logo.

So what’s the purpose of the social icon? Believe it or not, they are massively important, especially in our digital age when a Twitter/Facebook presence is a necessity for the neighborhood deli. Social media avatars are so tiny that most of the time brands can’t properly fit their names in the boxes. Social icons sum up the logo in one simple figure. Don’t believe me, check out Twitter’s Twitter avatar.  

Great brands are usually really anal about reproduction of their logos and social icons. A fews months back in London, I managed the PR for a Google and Barclays supported charity bike ride and Barclays threatened to retract their donation if they weren’t allowed to review their logo on the rider’s jerseys before the ride started. 

Many brands have strict policies on their logos and social icons and even specify that their logos and social icons never appear next to each other.

Although I’m no designer, I’m a freak for sleek designs. If your designs, products/services, and communications are thoughtful and consistent, your company will give birth to an angelic baby named “Brand Loyalty” or Lilly, I always liked that name for some reason. 

Big Things in the works with these guys. (s/o to Kobi)