Cristal icon proposal

Cristal
1

Hello everyone,

I’d like to propose the creation of a new, unique icon for Cristal. Currently, the icon appears to be a default one from Vite (a tool used in the tech stack of Cristal), which doesn’t provide Cristal with a distinct identity.

Since the icon is often one of the first points of contact for potential users, it’s important that we have something crafted a little bit more carefully.

Current icon
Screenshot 2025-02-21 at 14.46.46

Key Considerations for the New Icon:

  1. Connection with XWiki – The new icon should visually or conceptually tie into the broader XWiki motif.
  2. Modularity – Given that Cristal emphasizes modularity (Design Systems and extensions), the icon should reflect this core aspect.
  3. A Physical Representation of a Cristal – The designs try to incorporate elements that resemble a crystal (Cristal’s namesake), reinforcing its identity.

Proposed Icon Options

Based on these points, I’ve created two design options for discussion with the community. Both are pictured below:

Option 1

v1

Pros:

  • Feels lighter
  • Individual pieces of crystal forming a larger crystal shape
  • Uses colors from the XWiki logo, this also reinforces the different Design Systems that can be used

Cons:

  • The connection to XWiki is weaker than in Option 2
  • While lighter in feel, it may not be as visually striking
Option 2

v2

Pros:

  • Stronger connection to the XWiki logo, with the “X” visible in the negative (white) space
  • Uses colors from the XWiki logo, this also reinforces the different Design Systems that can be used
  • Each individual crystal is positioned in the same spot of the colored lines in the XWiki logo
  • More visually impactful

Cons:

  • Might be too strong or bold
  • While the overall crystal shape is present, it’s slightly less emphasized

Both Versions in Context

You can check below how both versions look when used in different contexts and sizes.

Option 1

V1 context
V1 context760×1002 120 KB

Option 2

V2 context
V2 context760×1001 115 KB

I’d love to hear thoughts from the community on this! If anyone has design ideas or suggestions, feel free to share.

It’s also worth noting that we don’t necessarily need a new icon. We could continue using the current XWiki logo, as it has been used in different contexts for some time. However, I wanted to take this opportunity to suggest something a little different for your consideration.

And of course, you may not like either of these alternatives, and that’s completely fine too! Looking forward to your feedback.

1 Like
2

Thanks for sharing, definitely +1 for option 1.

3

+1 for option 1.

Though, please be aware that Cristal will not necessarily stay a separate product forever and might be merged with XWiki overtime and lose its identity.

4

Yes, I am aware of that. This is more “now” issue.

1 Like
5

Thanks everyone, I will mark this one as solved and make the files available for use. If in the future we decide to use the standard XWiki logo, that’s ok too.

Edit: @amilica came with an alternative below. Keeping the discussion open.

6

Sorry for the very late reply on this, I worked on 2 designs but had a lot of stuff to focus on and forgot to upload them here.

cristal logos
cristal logos1920×1080 158 KB

From the XWiki SAS Marketing POV

I chose green because if we think this logo as part of the XWiki SAS branded house, Cristal could take one of the colors associated with the initial X of XWiki.

The X in XWiki has 4 colors: blue, red, orange, green.

CryptPad is blue.
XWiki reserves the orange for its accents colors.
Cristal would take green (as I don’t think the idea of knowledge management goes well with red).

WDYT?

7

Hey @amilica thanks for your proposal. Personally, I liked the second version best as it’s more inline with the proposal of the Cristal project, integration, modularity. It’s also simpler visually, and that’s a good thing.

We just need to check it under different size conditions. I have an example on my proposal. I fear the gradients and dividing white line might be lost or become very blurred. If that’s the case, we could make some adaptations to it, but keeping the overall concept.

Thanks again!