Thanks @Manyfest I’ve been thinking about the branding for Kaspa Smiths, and wanted to share a concept for discussion.
One of my first suggestions was moving from KAS Smiths to Kaspa Smiths. Similar to how Ethereum uses Ethereum Magicians, I think using the full protocol name immediately communicates that this is about the entire Kaspa ecosystem and technology, not just the KAS asset. It also avoids the “KASMYTH” pronunciation that some people naturally fall into.
Obviously KAS smiths as a url still works
The icon builds on the original anvil mark that launched the project, but evolves it by incorporating the official Kaspa reverse Kdirectly into the anvil. The addition of the flame brings more life, energy, and symbolism. Smiths don’t just build. They forge. They refine. They shape raw materials into useful tools. That feels like a fitting metaphor for developers building standards, protocols, wallets, applications, and infrastructure across the Kaspa ecosystem.
The goal was to create something that feels:
Instantly recognizable.
Connected to Kaspa’s existing visual identity.
Strong as a standalone icon.
Flexible across websites, social media, merchandise, and developer events.
Rhubarb is known for creating iconic, simple, legacy brands.
Rather than replacing the project’s initial placeholder identity, the intent is to evolve what already exists into a more polished and memorable community brand.
Curious to hear what everyone thinks. Suggestions and critiques are more than welcome.
This design looks really good. It would be even better if we build it on the Kaspa network, requiring every post to spend KAS. On top of that, we need to create an account on X to promote it.
IMO I prefer the simplicity of what @Manyfest has created currently and see no reason to ‘brand’ this.
TBH i would prefer if the page actually drops the turquoise themed colour all together in favour for something else and forge it’s own path (excuse the pun).
My preference is for things to stand on their own and have their own distinct colours/ style.
I took it back to the oringal.
KAS-SMITHS
changed it to the Kaspa “K”
Same font as Many started with
Some comments on your comments
Back story: I approached Manyfest and he was (his words) “excited” to see what we could offer. @michaelsutton- We’re not looking to “polish” anything. Thats not what visual artists do, nor what brand building is about. We are just offering a mark to help give it some legs/wings for when/if folks want to identify with it. Branding is not about making things pretty it’s a strategic, creative process to allow something to be expressed visually and simply over time.
@elldeeone No matter what mark you give it - it’s “branded.”
I just wanted injecting some human creative to it, plus Kaspa “K” vs AI generated.
Manyfest - the mark can be expressed in B/W, reverse or kas colour - all up to you. What I’ve shown here is what we’d call the foundational brand family -all the same mark - in horizontal format. We can create the other formats if people want to take it and run.
If it is in a colour - I say it could be a dull red, cherry red, orange or bright Yellow (progression of colours when forging steal) + silver (grey). all would be great!
I can’t code, but I can create marks that people embrace and can identify with. This is my talent and skills. My gift to the project and to you. But like any gift given - it can be rejected.
Cheering you all on either way! Peace!
IMO i see no real need to change anything visually with the site.
BTW the Kaspa K has been imagined in many different ways throughout the life of Kaspa. The first time was literally a backwards K so i don’t see any reason to get hung up on what version is being displayed here.
For what it’s worth Rhubarbarian, I was ready to plaster my life with that flaming anvil design. For this sort of forum an official “brand” maybe isn’t the right wording… but cool is cool and I would love to have some shwag with that flaming anvil design. You want to set up a fourthwall shop for it? You could earn a bit for the effort and I could proudly wear that design. Why can’t we have options? Anyhoo… I really appreciate the work.
I think we could do various versions for this for sure. Once a standard is set, we’ll play and offer some options for those that want to proudly wear it. I think this is where I see the need. The platform is one thing, the movement of Kaspa Devs around the world offering ideas, code,is another. Why not tie the 2 together around this. Kaspa devs is Coll. Kaspa Smiths or Kas Smiths is a story.
Working with @Manyfest on it still… here’s another simpler vibe, but back to a tru-er anvil and how it could be imaged for creative.
Hey @elldeeone No one is “hung up.” At least, I’m not. You offer your gifts, we offers ours. I respect your opinions and have always praised your offerings, so no need to make this idea and presentation out to be something it’s not. This is passion work. We bring it here to present. But we also see the benefit of a visual identity that people can use. I’m thinking strategy, not just art here.
And in the end - people will do what they like! Maybe people will express Kas-Smiths in 100 ways - great! (yes to flames, Karrrl!) We just thought kicking it off would be of value.
Side rant: Having served in blockchain projects since 2017, it’s weird how the Devs and process is revered and the creatives process and outputs are, at times, by some, downplayed or deemed not important. ironically, when a project seems to struggle, it’s often the different forms of creative “teams” that go under the bus!
I think we should see the skills and leadership offered in both camps as valuable.
Long Live the Developers! Long Live the Story Tellers!
I kind of like the site the way it is, but perhaps we could work a bit with the SEO? - is there a way for you to add meta data and keywords? then “Kaspa”, could be included so people know that Kas-Smiths is actually the developer hub for Kaspa, in case they are new to it. Would also be great to rank for keywords such as “blockchain” - even though kaspa isnt a blockchain that is what people outside of crypto call it and search for rust is also a good keyword to use
Hi, and thank you for the suggestion. I’ve updated the title and added a description. I think it improved the site appearance in Google search results.
If you have further suggestion you are welcomed to share =]
If you give the title an h1 tag, that makes it perfect for ranking in search engines.
Also:
kaspa.org is the #1 ranking domain for the keyword “kaspa” - basically because its oldest. So by making a nav link from kaspa.org to kas-smiths.org you are signalling that both sites are " authorities" on kaspa.That should make kas-smiths rank second in no time
Might wanna call the navlink on kaspa.org something like “Developer forum”, just so newcomers make the connection
I added a new header to the main page of kas-smiths.
I guess and hope that as this platfrom proves its position and importance, it would gain more traction and would be linked by other websites.
rust is also a good keyword to use