This repository contains the comprehensive visual identity system for MDAnalysis sub-projects, developed as part of the NumFOCUS Sustainable Development Grant (2023, Round 2). The project establishes a cohesive brand architecture that maintains consistency across the MDAnalysis ecosystem while providing distinct visual identities for individual sub-projects.
The identity system encompasses:
- Logo redesign: Modernization of existing project logos including MDA User Guide, MDA Data, and GridDataFormats
- New logo development: Creation of original brand marks for Helanal, PathSimAnalysis, Solvation Analysis, Water Dynamics, Distopia, and additional sub-projects
- Brand consistency: Ensuring visual coherence across all MDAnalysis sub-project communications
The logo system is built upon a modular design approach, utilizing the core MDAnalysis brand elements as foundational components. Each logo maintains the parent brand's visual DNA while establishing its own distinct identity through:
- Geometric abstraction: Simplified geometric forms derived from the primary MDAnalysis logo
- Systematic modularity: Reusable visual elements that can be transformed, rotated, and reflected
- Scalable architecture: Flexible design system accommodating future sub-project expansion
The identity system utilizes Zag as the primary typeface across all applications, ensuring typographic consistency throughout the MDAnalysis ecosystem.
Font Source: Zag - DaFont
Note: All future extensions to this identity system should maintain this typographic standard.
All logos are provided in four production-ready formats:
- SVG (Scalable Vector Graphics): For web applications and scalable print use
- PNG (Portable Network Graphics): For digital applications requiring raster format
- JPG (Joint Photographic Experts Group): For web display and optimized compression
- PDF (Portable Document Format): For high-quality print production
- Color space: RGB
- Optimization: Web and digital media optimized
Both SVG and PDF formats feature converted text paths, eliminating font dependencies and ensuring consistent rendering across all platforms and applications.
Each sub-project maintains its own directory containing all format variations:
project_logos/
├── [PROJECT_NAME]/
│ ├── MDAnalysis__[PROJECT_NAME].svg
│ ├── MDAnalysis__[PROJECT_NAME].png
│ ├── MDAnalysis__[PROJECT_NAME].jpg
│ └── MDAnalysis__[PROJECT_NAME].pdf
The following table provides an overview of all available project logos with direct download links for each format:
| Project | Logo Preview | Downloads | Repository |
|---|---|---|---|
| CookiecutterMDAKit |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| Helenal |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDABenchmarks |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDACli |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDAData |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDADistopia |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDAEncore |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDAGridDataFormats |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDAHole2 |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MDAUserGuide |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| MembraneCurvature |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| OpenBabelConvertor |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| PathSimAnalysis |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| PMDA |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| PyTNG |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| SolvationAnalysis |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| TransportAnalysis |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
| WaterDynamics |  |
SVG • PNG • JPG • PDF | GitHub |
For convenience, a Python script (export_logo.py) is included to generate custom PNG exports from the SVG source files. This tool allows you to create images at specific dimensions while preserving aspect ratios.
python export_logo.py PROJECT_NAME [--width WIDTH] [--height HEIGHT] [--white-background] [--padding PERCENT]# Export PNG with specific width (height auto-calculated)
python export_logo.py MDAGridDataFormats --width 256
# Export PNG with specific height (width auto-calculated)
python export_logo.py PMDA --height 128
# Export PNG with default size (256px width)
python export_logo.py MDAData
# Export PNG with white background instead of transparent
python export_logo.py MDADistopia --width 512 --white-background
# Export PNG with 10% padding (transparent background)
python export_logo.py PyTNG --padding 10
# Export PNG with 15% padding and white background
python export_logo.py MDAEncore --padding 15 --white-background- rsvg-convert (recommended - from
librsvg2-binpackage) - inkscape (alternative option)
- ImageMagick (for padding functionality):
sudo apt install imagemagick(Ubuntu/Debian) orbrew install imagemagick(macOS)
- Aspect ratio preservation: Automatically maintains logo proportions
- Flexible sizing: Specify either width or height, other dimension calculated automatically
- Background options: Transparent background (default) or white background
- Flexible padding: Add padding around images (any percentage)
- Works with both transparent and white backgrounds
- Uses ImageMagick for high-quality padding
- Professional output: High-quality images with optimized compression
- Simple output: Exports to current directory with standard naming
- Error handling: Clear messages for missing projects or converters
- Automatic cleanup: Temporary files are removed after processing
- Smart optimization: Direct SVG conversion without padding, ImageMagick processing for padding
The exported files are saved in the project root directory with naming convention:
- PNG:
MDAnalysis__[PROJECT_NAME].png
- Maintain minimum clear space around logos
- Use provided formats without modification
- Ensure appropriate contrast against backgrounds
- Preserve aspect ratios when scaling
- SVG: Web applications, responsive design
- PNG: Digital presentations, social media, applications requiring transparency
- JPG: Web display, social media, optimized file sizes
- PDF: Print materials, high-resolution output
This identity system was developed in collaboration with Jenna Swarthout Goddard (JSG), ensuring alignment with broader MDAnalysis brand strategy and visual standards.
For questions regarding logo usage, brand guidelines, or technical specifications, please refer to the MDAnalysis project documentation or contact the design team.
This identity system serves as the foundation for all MDAnalysis sub-project visual communications, supporting the organization's mission to provide accessible, professional scientific software tools.