Ironworkers

Ironworkers build the backbone of our communities. They are highly skilled individuals that assemble the framework of buildings, bridges, and roadways. Ironworkers go through an extensive training process lasting five years in order to rise to the level of journeyman. When they contacted me to revamp their branding I was thrilled to sit down with them and listen to their needs. The first aspect that they wanted to tackle was their logo.

The Ironworkers Local 498 are a very proud line of tradespeople that are as tough as they are skilled. They work in all types of conditions and are known for their ruggedness and perseverance doing whatever it takes to get the job done. When we dug into their wants for the new logo and web site they looked to their values and traditions to guide them.

The original logo was drawn by one of their members. It featured a gloved hand holding a spud wrench. It had the local’s designation “498” on the wrist, “ironworkers” text, and it was all contained within a circle. The color palette was appropriately 100% Americana in the use of red, white, and blue. Looking at the original mark as a guide I set out to respect the local’s proud traditions while communicating their goals for the future.

I broke the logo down into its main components; a gloved fist, a wrench, the text, and the circle. I believed that the original logo was missing a solid foundation. Using the cuff of the glove as a base utilizing the only horizontal line in the composition grounds the mark and gives me the ability to build the rest of the logo on top of it. Moving up from the base we find the local’s identifying number “498” in Gotham Narrow Black. The cuff of the glove has three folds representing the three disciplines in iron work, ornamental, structural, and reinforcing. The clenched fist has been used throughout the skilled labor movement as a sign of unity and strength. Its place as the center of the composition reinforces those ideals.

The Ironworkers Local 498 web site which you can view HERE is an online home for the public and the ironworkers themselves. There is a members area where tradesmen can check the status of any number of aspects that relate to their jobs. Apprentices and contractors have their own areas where they can find extremely valuable information that pertains to their specific needs.