The Make-A-Wish Foundation was established with a single aim – to help fulfill the wishes of children who have serious conditions. It’s a nonprofit organization based in Phoenix, Arizona, and operating via its almost 60 divisions located all over the US. Moreover, it works in approximately 50 other countries through its affiliates.
Meaning and History
The history of Make-A-Wish started in the spring of 1980, when Phoenix community joined forces to help a 7-year-old boy to make his wish come true. The boy was Christopher James Greicius, and at that time, he was fighting leukemia. His wish was to be a police officer. This was the beginning of a movement that has now collectively granted over 580 thousand wishes all around the world.
What is Make-A-Wish?
Make-A-Wish is a US-based non-profit created to help fulfill the wishes of children fighting major diseases. It was established on April 29, 1980.
1980 – 2018
During its first years, the organization didn’t use a distinctive logotype. The one described below was introduced only in the late 1990s.
The way the logo looks resonates with children due to several factors. The design can be broken down into three parts: the wordmark, swirl, and star. All of them have a fairy-tale touch. The structure has been preserved the same till now, but there have been notable modifications in its details.
The original version features an all-caps serif typeface. Most of the letters have a classic shape and proportions, with the exception of the “K” and the “A.” The middle bar on the “A” is replaced by a swirl, while the “K” has an elongated lower end to echo the rounded shape.
According to Make-A-Wish, the upward swirl reminds of “a star that shoots across the sky,” while the star is used as an emblem of “hope and brightness.” Also, the logo is inspired by the emotions of happy children and is supposed to “stimulate hope and ambition” for everyone working with the organization.
The swirl isn’t solid but has white gaps. This makes it look as though it has been drawn by hand. The same is true about the star. While this technique adds an individual touch, it somehow seems to be in conflict with the solid letters. This could be one of the reasons why it was modified in the following update of the emblem.
2018 – Today
In the tweaked version, the texture of the swirl has grown solid. Its thickness also changed. Both these factors make the swirl better fit the wordmark. The trajectory is different, too, although it still starts as the bar of the “A.”
The majority of the letters are now lowercase. Their rounded shape looks more logical next to the swirl. The glyphs seem softer, with fewer sharp elements, which makes the design friendlier.
Font and Color
According to the official website, the serif typeface was chosen to emphasize the credibility of the foundation and pay homage to its history.
The blue used in the logo is rather saturated, but not bright. It goes well with the sky theme of the design. Also, blue has a calming effect, which also seems beneficial for an organization working in such a domain.