Metaphoric Mozilla Tree
I’m sure you all remember Mitchell’s opening session at the Summit about the “Mozilla Tree”: a metaphoric tree representing the complex nature of Mozilla. A great analogy that she has been working on for a long time and will continue to elaborate on through her blog. So I won’t get into the details of what it all means, but instead shed some light on the design and creative development behind it.
I first learned about this tree when Mitchell shared her vision a few weeks before the Summit, handing me a rough sketch with abstract thoughts and asking for my help in cleaning it up into a better illustration that she could use for presentations. Her intention wasn’t to have this as the final visual, but a starting point upon which the analogy could mature through open feedback and collaboration. The original sketch was conceptually pretty dense and a bit overwhelming at first glance, so before handing it off to an illustrator it needed to be simplified. I created my own interim sketch inspired by a unique family of trees called the Baobabs. Aside from their mystical quality, I particularly liked their strong frame and intricate network of branches which translated nicely into the overall metaphor.
Using this new sketch as a guide I then worked closely with Monique LoBue, a talented graphic designer, to develop and render the tree into the final art. With respect to the visual style, I envisioned an illustration with an earthy tone and a pencil-sketched texture. A fairly simple image that wasn’t overly realistic looking or too whimsical. There were many important factors and sensitivities to consider in the creative direction of the tree. For example how each element was portrayed and interpreted, or the level of detail to include. And since this was still a work in progress with changing parts, the art file had to be designed with that flexibility in mind. Monique did a great job of bringing it all together, and I was excited to see it unveiled for the first time at the Summit.
There were also some fun Easter eggs that you may have missed. If you look closely there is an “M” (for Mozilla) with a heart around it carved into the bark of the tree, along with other little critters. The art files were also layered and organized in a way that gave the presentation flow an animated effect. New green leaves appeared on the branches, highlighting each topic and helping the tree grow more lush as Mitchell’s talk progressed.
Of course the ecosystem around the tree can continue to flourish and grow along with the metaphor. It definitely stirred a lot of interesting discussions and ideas at the Summit, and I’m really curious to see how our tree evolves.
August 11th, 20089:27 pm at
nice post tara – very interesting to see/read the early evolution of the tree metaphor.
August 11th, 200811:50 pm at
Interesting, it’s not a fruit tree. Anyway, don’t forget to water it, hope it’ll blossom.
August 12th, 200812:13 am at
The baobab actually is a fruit bearing tree. In fact it provides in so many ways to the entire ecosystem around it, including people. Its also considered the largest succulent plant in the world, storing tens of thousands of liters in water, which means I won’t have to water it.
It offers loads of nutrients, food, water, and shelter through its leaves, flowers, fruits, bark, etc… Even used for medicinal purposes. Its actually a very fascinating and legendary tree. The more I read about it the more intrigued I became. And you’re right, Mitchell’s analogy was with a fruit tree, so I definitely kept that in mind when I used the baobab. But also keep in mind that I simply used the baobob family for visual style and inspiration – I’m not suggesting that the Mozilla Tree is indeed a baobab tree.
September 29th, 20088:39 am at
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