The logo of The Zuiker Chronicles Anton Zuiker approached me for a commission, after a referral from Pratik, my former client (Thanks for the shout-out!). He provided a comprehensive brief with references, which I greatly appreciated.
The Brief The brief was straightforward: he wanted a logo for his personal website that would also serve as his personal branding. He requested a website header image incorporating both a wordmark and an icon mark, as well as brand guidelines for colors and typography to make it a complete branding package.
I’ve been wanting to write about my most used apps for so long but didn’t have enough motivation to do so, until I came across this directory of apps people commonly use. Inspired by this, I’ve decided to compile a list of my default apps.
Prioritize Native Apps, then Fantastic Updates for New OS Support in Apps For over ten years, I have enthusiastically tried thousands of apps. Throughout this time, I have learned that the best apps are the ones that withstand the test of time, receive frequent updates to support new operating system features, and, if necessary, offer excellent options for sharing and exporting.
Knowledge Flow Consulting Pratik reached out to discuss creating a logo for his new business, Knowledge Flow Consulting, which focuses on research consulting services for educational sectors and non-profits.
This project presents a series of intriguing challenges for me. Given that it's a research consulting business and operates on a Business-to-Business (B2B) model, I needed to set aside my playful approach to lettering, tapping instead into my branding and typography skills.
Happy October, everyone! 🎉 I just made a free wallpaper for the
season, and it's available in desktop, iPad, and iPhone versions. If
you’re feeling generous, I’d appreciate a few bucks for it! Here’s to a
spooky and fun Halloween month ahead! 🎃👻
It’s incredible how quickly Aaron is launching new product lines for Strathmere Leather! Enter The Galileo—the premium passport case. What’s great about The Galileo is that it can hold not only a passport but also a pocket notebook and an international driving license, all in one case!
Conceptualizing
Now, back to our logo commission. Initially, Aaron provided direction for the design, referencing the classic looks of Trans World Airlines, Pan Am, and Frank Sinatra album covers.
The Jefferson logo
I thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with Aaron on the logo designs. His entire brand identity resonates with me, and I loved it so much that I began drafting ideas as soon as I saw his new projects, even before he requested them!
This time, I've worked on the commissioned logo for The Jefferson Notebook case, his latest product for Strathmere Leather—one that I hope to get my hands on soon.
After the stress of designing business logos, I finally had the opportunity to create a fun lettering style, thanks to Lou Plummer who writes a blog specifically for app reviews!
The task was straightforward: a website header for his other blog linkage.lol.
I drafted several lettering styles and sent them to him for selection. As much as I love script styles—finding them much more enjoyable to design—he preferred the simple styles with all caps.
Once again commissioned by Aaron, I was tasked with designing a logo to serve as a website header for his brand, "Strathmere Leather." This time, the goal was to create a logo that embodies the entire brand identity, moving beyond the product-specific design of the previous Ocean Front logo. The challenge lies in balancing simplicity with the luxurious feel of handmade leather craftsmanship.
Initial Concepts and Inspirations
Technically, it’s not a commission since I was the one who saw Aaron's post about his latest product line, "Ocean Front," and loved the name so much that I couldn't resist designing a lettering for it.
When I saw the words "Ocean Front," the image of waves immediately came to mind. The name should flow like the waves, so I used the typeface Aaron had already visualized, made it more fluid, and adjusted the slant to align with the waves.
I've offered this as a free wallpaper for iPhone, iPad, and PC. However, donating a little would mean a lot to me as I am saving up for a new iPad as my birthday present this month.
In a world where we are often taught to seek validation from others, most people believe they need someone to fulfill their lives, thinking they must find the missing piece of their heart to feel truly loved.
Vincent tried to help me get a new iPad (and you can help too!), so he gave me a tip that made me feel over the moon when I saw the amount. I wanted to show my gratitude with some lettering, but he didn’t give me any brief, so I had to wing it myself!
Then, I remembered he mentioned liking red before, so I used a deep red and brown color scheme.
Melanie tried to help me get a new iPad (and you can help too!) by commissioning me to create a lettering design for her name.
The brief is simple:
Name: Melanie Kat
- Chosen Style: Clean
- Preferred Colors: 🩵🩷🤍🏳️⚧️
- Phone Model: iPhone 15 Pro Max This is the lettering design I came up with:
I love the given color palette; it's fun and cute but also delicate.
I've offered this as a free wallpaper for iPhone, iPad, and PC. However, if you could donate a little, it would mean a lot to me as I am saving up for a new iPad as my birthday present this month.
I love the word "fearless," but eliminating fear is impossible. Instead, we’d be better off focusing on being less fearful and taking steps toward a more meaningful life.
Hi! I’m Ning. If you’ve been following me, you might have come across some, or hopefully all, of my lettering pieces over the past two months.
Long story short, I kicked off my lettering journey in April with almost zero knowledge of design and lettering—just a pure love for typography. I assigned myself daily lyrics lettering in May and daily LGBTQIA+ character name lettering last month.
Here's what I've learned after two months: Lettering is More Than Letters: It's the whole graphic design process.
One of the most nerve-wracking things in life is falling in love with your best friend. The heartache of unrequited love is tough, but trying to salvage the friendship afterward? That's on a whole other level of difficulty. Yet somehow, Amy managed to do it, even if she hit a few bumps along the way.
Her feelings for Karma are like a rollercoaster—authentic, complex, and sometimes leaving you with your heart in your throat.
I wouldn't have learned about intersex if I hadn't watched "Faking It."
This show features some of the most inclusive LGBTQIA+ characters in the most welcoming environment I've ever seen. It flips the script of high school stereotypes by making the "cool kids" LGBTQIA+, showing that being true to yourself is what really matters. Sadly, this is quite the opposite of the real world we live in.
As one of TV's first intersex main characters, Lauren's journey is groundbreaking.
If you’re into Girl’s Love stories, definitely give the Thai dramas “Gap” and “Blank” a watch. These two shows are set in the same universe, and the main characters are sisters. Their names—Neung, Song, and Sam—literally mean 1, 2, 3 in Thai. What a lazy way to name your kids. 😂 These dramas tackle controversial relationship topics like status, age, and gender with a refreshing twist.
What could possibly be worse than having to fight someone you love for the fate of humanity? Honestly, nothing comes to mind. It's a nightmare scenario no one wants to face, but Albus Dumbledore found himself right in the middle of it. Not only did he sacrifice his own happiness, but he also handled everything with such grace.
Despite a tragic history with Grindelwald, Dumbledore rises like a phoenix (pun intended) as a beacon of guidance and support for young wizards, using his magical abilities to fight against dark forces.
Crowley and Aziraphale from "Good Omens" is the ultimate slow-burn love story that’s been simmering since the dawn of humanity. Seriously, talk about taking it slow—these two redefine the term! 😂
I’ve never seen characters complement each other so well; they’re like the perfect embodiment of yin and yang, perfectly balancing each other out. Separately, they’re intriguing; together, they’re downright magical.
What sets their relationship apart is the pure, non-sexual love they share.
"Klaine"—the ship of Kurt and Blaine's relationship on "Glee"—was nothing short of iconic. They were one of the first gay teen couples on TV to be portrayed as a genuine, multi-layered relationship. Fans were all aboard the Klaine train, swooning over their undeniable chemistry and cheering for their happily ever after.
But let's be real—it wasn't all rainbows and unicorns for these two; their journey was a rollercoaster. Kurt, with his compassionate heart and depth that went far beyond his sexuality, was a breath of fresh air, challenging stereotypes.
Remember “Glee”? That gloriously over-the-top show that had us all singing in the shower and believing high school was one big musical number? Well, I firmly believe it paved the way for the teen LGBTQIA+ community back in the day. Seriously, it was like a rainbow-colored beacon of hope. It was the first time I realized that figuring out your identity is a process, and it’s okay not to have all the answers right now.
“One Day at a Time” is a show that effortlessly weaves humor with heart, engaging viewers in a genuine and impactful way.
The characters feel like old friends you can't help but root for. The way they navigate complex issues like mental illness, immigration, racism, and the complexities of identity through the lens of a Cuban-American family—with wit and warmth—is nothing short of captivating.
What’s truly spectacular is how One Day at a Time showcases the intersectionality of Elena's identity.
Quentin Coldwater from The Magicians is such a complex character that you can’t help but be drawn to his journey. His transformation from a lost, depressed, and troubled soul to someone who finds purpose and fulfillment in helping others is truly inspiring.
His ability to mend small objects can be seen as a metaphor for his healing process, where he tries to mend the broken pieces of his own life.
"The Magicians" is one of my all-time favorite series, and out of all the amazing characters, Eliot Waugh stands out the most for me. He is a complex puzzle, with his genius magic skills and a dark history of trauma and depression. Eliot is a flawed and real character, which makes him so captivating.
The show started like a darker version of Harry Potter, with troubled characters trying to find their place in a magic school.
Larry Trainor, aka Negative Man, is a crucial character in the Doom Patrol TV series, where his storyline revolves around self-acceptance and overcoming internalized homophobia.
Starting as a closeted gay man in the 1950s, Larry struggled to hide his true identity due to societal pressures and homophobia. His relationships, especially with John Bowers, were kept secret, causing him to feel guilty, ashamed, and isolated. The accident that merges him with the Negative Spirit only adds to his struggles, forcing him to confront his identity and self-hatred like never before.
It’s always a punch to the gut when you see how the media loves to cash in on someone’s gender and sexuality. And “The Boys” doesn’t just take a jab at this issue—it delivers a full-on roundhouse kick. If you’ve tuned in, you’d know how Margaret “Maggie” Shaw, aka Queen Maeve, gets exploited left, right, and center by her dad, Vought, and Homelander.
One thing that hit me like a ton of bricks is how Vought takes Maeve’s queerness, tosses her bisexuality out the window, and slaps a “lesbian” label on her for marketing purposes.
To the Moon and Back (Matalada) is a heartwarming Thai drama that shatters stereotypes by portraying LGBTQIA+ people as loving and capable parents. The character of Grace, Matalada's dad, was a shining example of a supportive and admirable father figure. Despite facing rejection from his own family for coming out as gay, Grace found strength in creating a loving environment for his daughter within his LGBTQIA+ community as a cabaret owner.
“Dreadnought” by April Daniels is a superhero story like no other. Danny’s journey as a transgender superhero is both powerful and touching. The story tackles important themes such as gender identity, acceptance, and self-discovery in a way that is both heartwarming and action-packed. Despite facing adversity at every turn, Danny learns to navigate her new powers and her authentic identity with courage and grace.
“Dreadnought” isn’t just about superpowers and villain smackdowns; it’s about Danny’s journey to embrace her true self amidst all the chaos.
Klaus from The Umbrella Academy is the embodiment of queer energy and I absolutely love it. He is unapologetically himself, never confined by his sexuality or gender expression. His wit, carefree attitude, and humor make him a standout character. And let's not forget, he steals the show in every scene. Definitely my favorite!
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As the first transgender superhero in a major science fiction/fantasy series, Viktor from The Umbrella Academy paved the way for more diverse and inclusive representation in mainstream media. It's not often that a character's gender transitions along with the actor's, and I think this show nailed it. You can see that Elliot Page's involvement in developing the character's storyline adds an extra layer of authenticity to Viktor's journey.
I also read Page's memoir, Pageboy, which includes his experiences as a trans man and his struggles with mental health and relationships.
