André Almo - almoghost.exe design

ALMOGHOST.EXE

'almoghost.exe' is my personal brand. It is used in this website, which functions as a personal repository/portfolio, as well as my social media accounts (see 'Profiles'), some of my digital games, and 'LudoSpectre', a personal project that discusses games, cartoons and other media I enjoy (currently on Substack).

OVERVIEW

'almoghost.exe' is a unique, playful digital identity that combines the ethereal charm of ghosts with the retro aesthetics of pixel art and the vibrant energy of gaming culture. The inclusion of “.exe” in the name emphasises its connection to computer programs and executable files, reinforcing the brand’s ties to digital technology and the virtual world. Represented by a pixelated ghost in black and white, with purple as the primary background color, the brand captures the essence of technology, digital worlds, and creativity. Drawing inspiration from the Digimon franchise and the Megaman Battle Network series, it merges themes of nostalgia and futurism, making it an ideal emblem for my personal website, social media art accounts, and the 'LudoSpectre' project.

COLOUR PALETTE

The colour palette for my personal branding was chosen to communicate its identity and main themes, with a focus on the phantasmagorical almoghost.exe character.

Eminence (#76428A): Purple serves as the brand’s primary color, often used in the background. Purple evokes a sense of mystery, creativity, and imagination — qualities that align with the ghostly and ethereal aspects of the brand. It also ties into the retro-futuristic vibe inspired by Digimon and Megaman Battle Network, as purple frequently appears in digital or technological aesthetics to signify innovation and wonder. The richness of this shade gives the brand a modern, sophisticated feel, while its use as the primary background color ensures visual consistency and cohesion.

Eerie Black (#1C1C1C): Black is used to outline and define the pixel ghost almoghost.exe, giving it depth and contrast while maintaining clarity in a pixel art style. This colour also symbolises the digital and technological roots of the brand, as it echoes the binary, on-off nature of early computer screens and coding. In addition, this specific eerie shade of black represents the ghost's shadowy, mysterious nature, grounding the more vibrant colors and creating a striking contrast with the white and purple.

White (#FDFFFF): White fills the ghost’s body, making it a focal point of the brand’s visual identity. It signifies clarity, simplicity, and light, reinforcing the playful yet otherworldly charm of the ghost. In combination with black, it creates a classic, high-contrast pixel art aesthetic, emphasizing the retro gaming theme. The almost pure white shade conveys an ethereal, supernatural quality, underscoring the spectral and digital elements of the brand.

Battleship Grey (#7D7E75): Grey serves as a neutral supporting color, adding depth and versatility to the palette. It bridges the stark contrast between black and white, softening transitions and contributing to the sleek, modern feel of the brand. It also reflects the idea of balance and subtlety, qualities inherent in digital spaces where data and technology coexist harmoniously. Grey grounds the more vibrant tones while maintaining the overall cohesive, tech-inspired look.

Asparagus (#74AE4D): Green acts as a secondary accent color, used sparingly to highlight elements or add a pop of contrast. Green brings a sense of vitality and energy, representing the dynamic nature of digital worlds and gaming ecosystems. It also draws a connection to the neon hues often found in both retro and futuristic aesthetics; this is also present in the Digimon and Megaman Battle Network series. This vibrant green suggests growth and progress, subtly symbolizing the creative exploration and innovation that the brand embodies.

LOGO/MASCOT

The almoghost.exe mascot — a simple pixel ghost in black and white — also functions as a logo, encapsulating the essence of the brand. Its 1-bit art style is a deliberate nod to early digital graphics, where limitations in technology gave rise to iconic, minimalist designs. By using only two colors — black and white — the ghost embodies the binary nature of computers (1 and 0), referencing the digital worlds and technological themes central to the brand.

The retro game vibe of the ghost connects to a sense of nostalgia, paying homage to classic video games where simplicity was key to design and storytelling. Its pixelated form not only evokes the charm of early gaming but also represents creativity within constraints — an essential concept in digital art and programming.

As a ghost, the mascot symbolises the ethereal, intangible nature of digital spaces, much like how ghosts exist between worlds. It reflects the brand’s themes of exploration, imagination, and the blending of the physical and virtual realms. The name 'almoghost.exe' further reinforces this connection, with '.exe' highlighting its identity as a 'program' or presence within the digital landscape. The pixel ghost incarnates the brand that lives at the intersection of creativity, technology, and play.

ART

Pixel art is recurrently used to maintain cohesiveness in the brand, communicating the same aspects as the mascot, as well as adding a dash of nostalgia. The art is used around this website, in the 'LudoSpectre' project, and in the 'almoghost.exe' social media accounts.

TYPEFACE AND FONTS

The 'almoghost.exe' brand uses a combination of Press Start 2P and Montserrat to create a balance between retro charm and modern versatility, reflecting the brand's connection to digital worlds, gaming, and creative technology.

Press Start 2P: This font is used for headings, titles, and other key text elements that require a strong visual identity. Inspired by classic arcade games, Press Start 2P evokes a sense of nostalgia for retro gaming, aligning perfectly with the pixelated aesthetic of the almoghost.exe mascot. Its pixel-like design reinforces the brand's themes of simplicity, creativity, and connection to early digital art. By using this font, the brand embraces its gaming influences while maintaining a playful, recognisable style.
Montserrat: This modern sans-serif font is used for body text, descriptions, and any content requiring high readability. Montserrat provides a sleek and professional counterbalance to the pixelated style of Press Start 2P. Its clean, geometric design mirrors the digital and technological focus of the brand, creating a sense of harmony between the past (retro gaming) and the present (modern design). Its versatility ensures that the brand remains accessible and visually cohesive, especially in web-based and social media applications.

SOUNDMARK

'almoghost.exe' also has a short jingle, a four-second soundmark with a playful 8-bit vibe. Built around an “up-and-down” sequence of notes, it captures a light, spectral quality that feels both digital and ghostly. This minimal yet distinctive melody encapsulates the brand’s identity as a digital ghost: haunting and rooted in retro game aesthetics.