This generator is inspired by the 2010 MIT Media Lab identity, created for the lab's 25th anniversary. The original system, a collaboration with TheGreenEyl, could generate over 40,000 unique logo permutations—one for each member of the community. While the official identity has since been updated by Pentagram, this generative approach remains an iconic piece of design history.

Original Project Credits

• Creative Direction & Design: E Roon Kang, Richard The
• Programming & Design: Willy Sengewald

How This Generator Works

This tool recreates the core principles of that generative system:

Core Elements:

• Source Squares: These are the small, solid black squares. Each one acts as a starting point for a "beam" of light.
• Target Squares: These are the larger, colored squares. Each beam is projected towards one of these targets.
• Beams: These are the trapezoidal shapes of color that connect a source square to its corresponding target square. The beam's color is determined by its target.

Composition Method:

The icon is composed by overlaying these elements. The beams and targets use a "multiply" blend mode, which causes their colors to mix and create darker shades where they overlap, resulting in rich, complex visuals from simple shapes.

How to Create Your Own:

• Use the "Generate" button to create a random layout.
• Adjust the "General Settings" to change the grid size, number of beams, and the size of the target squares.
• Click and drag any source (black) or target (colored) square to manually reposition it on the grid.
• Expand the "Beam Details" section to customize the color of each individual beam.