Lakota Voices Dictionary
A digital platform archiving the Lakota spoken language.
Research, Branding
Preserving Voices
The Lakota Youth Development wanted a custom logo for their latest project in preserving their culture and native tongue. Originally a just an oral language, the Lakota people have seen a decline in generations understanding and speaking their language. They wanted a create a digital archive acting as an audible dictionary for native speakers and interested learners.
The logo needed to initially be applied to a website and printed collateral, with the long term plan to develop an app.
It was important to consider sacred visual icons, such as feathers, leather hide drums, and the Lakota medicine wheel.
The colors used were their four colors of the medicine wheel: yellow, red, black, and white. Each of these color represent various meaning and are applied to many local practices.
Photo credit: Lakota Youth Development
Pulling from the Past.
Quill work is a visual craft using animal quills to create patterns and designs. They have many applications from decoration to sacred objects to telling stories on garments. These quills are pulled from Porcupine and dyed, originally with natural dyes. Depending on the region and tribe, the quills are then folded, inserted into one another and sewn to, typically, leather hide or other durable material.
The practice dates back before colonialism and trade with Europeans. It was important to use a practice that was authentic and unique of the Lakota people.
