The BeReal logo is simple and open. The symbol resonates with the project’s theme and goal and encourages stepping out of the darkness to meet the surroundings. The emblem focuses on one simple action, which all participants perform daily.
BeReal: Brand overview
In 2020, an innovative product named BeReal emerged in the French social media market. Its creators, Alexis Barrey and Kevin Perro introduced a unique concept: an app where users share daily, unprepared photos of their real lives, eschewing standard filters, followers, and likes. This idea of authenticity sparked interest in social media, inspiring other platforms, including TikTok and Instagram, to implement similar features. BeReal’s control center is in Paris, adding European charm to this technological startup.
The project quickly caught the attention of global media, particularly gaining coverage in the Financial Times in May 2021. This event spurred the creation of BeReal’s community on Reddit and attracted significant investments from A16z, amounting to 30 million dollars. In 2022 the app achieved record download numbers, crossing the 10 and 20 million thresholds in May and July, respectively. By August of the same year, BeReal began to be used by renowned brands to promote exclusive products.
However, BeReal’s journey was not without challenges. Some users expressed dissatisfaction with the obligation to share photos daily, which caused stress and concerns about their image on social networks. Additionally, the question of monetizing the app remained open, considering the absence of traditional advertising. Despite these difficulties, BeReal continues to evolve, adding new features and attracting an increasing number of users, aiming to change the world of social media.
Meaning and History
The app was first introduced in 2020 when the logo also appeared. Alexis Barreyat and Kévin Perreau, who likely designed the emblem, handled the network’s development, launch, and promotion. The emblem’s design is based on simplicity and ease: one photo, one moment, life here and now. Therefore, on the monochrome canvas of the logo, there is only one inscription.
What is BeReal?
A French social network in the form of a free phone application. Around 13 million users utilize the program daily. 80% of them are under 25 years old. The application was recognized as the best iPhone add-on in 2022. It has been downloaded over 53 million times. In 2023, the network’s popularity decreased by 61%.
2020 – today
The application’s emblem consists of a black square with rounded corners. In the center, the network’s name is written with a period at the end.
The project’s name encompasses the main messages the creators are trying to convey to the public:
- Be in reality, stay online, connect with the rest of the world, talk about yourself, and show that you exist.
- Be real. Post photos without editing or filters, appear before people naturally and show your life as it is.
- B-reel is a term from cinema that indicates alternative filmed material. The application’s uniqueness is that the founders address the participants once daily, urging them to share a 2-minute segment of their lives by posting a photo of themselves and their surroundings.
The period at the end of the inscription emphasizes the project’s simplicity and conciseness. Completing one easy action takes just two minutes. There is no burden, psychological pressure, or complex requirements. The network cannot be used for promotion or popularity enhancement. It does not involve monetization. The program doesn’t even count how many people view the photo.
The black background represents a photographic negative, conveying the idea of emerging from darkness into light. The organizers encourage users to present themselves to friends as they truly are at least once in their lives.
The square base implies equality for people. In the new network, no one is highlighted, and there are no leaders or stars. The creators place everyone in the same conditions, emphasizing the harmony of naturalness and authenticity.
The backing limits space, indicating a closed community, a team of like-minded people. The dark color symbolizes the unknown. We often do not know how our neighbor or friend lives in the modern world. Therefore, no one knows what they will see in the photo today. Also, the users are not told exactly when the message about the 2-minute window for a post will come.
Font and Colors
The logo’s black-and-white basis complements the idea of relieving fatigue from idealized, brightly colored images that fill modern social networks. The colors emphasize photos without retouching, a draft we show the world.
The black-and-white palette also hurts the application’s perception. Some experts note the boredom caused by the monotony of tasks and design, which led to a rapid decline in interest in the platform.
The font of the inscription is Texta Heavy. Light glyphs of the same thickness ensure the clarity of the image. Rounded elements convey friendliness and the absence of bullying among participants.