Lessons on NingNarrative

Logo Concept 04-Freight First Logo

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:15:00 +0700

Final Design Concept for Freight First Logo

Logo Concept Series

I decided to expand my skills in icon mark and typography to broaden my design range, especially for logo design. While exploring this journey, I came across a daily logo challenge from Logo Core and decided to take it on. So, I will showcase the results of my logo practice based on the provided briefs.

Please keep in mind that creating a polished logo design typically requires more than just a few days. Therefore, consider everything from this challenge as a rough draft that will need further feedback from clients for refinement to truly shine.

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hiya, Bill!

We have a really important project at Freight First that needs your immediate input. The entire company is pitching a new roadmap for investors tomorrow, and we need a logo design to solidify the presentation. It's last minute, but we know you're the best designer for the job.

Our company is an intermediary freight broker between a shipper who has goods to transport and a trucking company who has the capacity to move their product from point A to point B. There are plenty of brokerages out there already, but we specialize in finding optimal routes for sensitive cargo that requires ongoing monitoring and comprehensive insurance coverage.

The entire company is built on the foundations of trust and security with our clients, and the logo design has to reflect these core values. It needs to be a design that gives viewers a sense of trust that their delivery is handled by professional agents that understand how to transport cargo using safe and secure practices.

I attached a few references that describe our target visual aesthetic.

We're not looking for a logo that is eye-catching or even colorful. It just has to convey the company's industry experience and professional services.

I'm excited to see your pitch.

Ps: I'm not opposed to the idea of replacing the 'First' in our company name with the number '1'.

Paul Atreides
Fright First

Brief Interpretation

Popular Transportation and Logistics Brands

According to the brief, the company specializes in identifying optimal routes. Therefore, we need to visually represent the brand's core values, not literally but through thoughtful design elements. The brief also highlights trust and security as key priorities. Consequently, we require a design that conveys strength and reliability—nothing overly clever, just something that feels strong, solid and dependable.

I conducted some research on popular transportation brands to identify logo trends. Logos designed for transportation and logistics mostly use blue, as it represents trust, so I believe we should also adopt blue for this logo concept. Another common color is red, symbolizing energy and speed; however, since Freight First's core values prioritize trust, blue is the more suitable choice.

Another trend is the use of bold typefaces, which we should consider as well. Most brands employ either a wordmark or a combination mark, with the wordmark typically serving as the focal point.

Therefore, for this brand logo concept, we need it to be strong, bold, and blue.

Conceptualizing

My plan is to create a logotype that appears strong and conveys meaning of reliability. I believe a rectangular or square shape would be ideal, as it implies cargo and shipping. I jumped straight into creating an icon to convey meaning. I experimented with a monogram, aligning the initials "FF" from Freight First into a visually appealing design.

Initial Concepts for Freight First

I have five concepts to explore, each worthy of consideration in its own way.

The first concept appears strong without being overly playful. In this design, I incorporated the initials “FF” into the shape of a truck, creating an attractive and appealing visual.
The second concept combines the number one and the letter F to form a compelling visual. I considered shaping the number one into an airplane, but ultimately decided against it due to its playfulness against the brand core values.
In the third concept, I transformed the letter F into a wing. While it looked great, it felt inappropriate since we focus on brokerage rather than air transport. Although I still appreciate the idea, it doesn’t align with the brand's purpose.
The fourth concept is one I absolutely love. It features an F shaped like a wing and the number one resembling a truck with cargo inside. However, it emphasizes speed over trustworthiness and reliability, failing to convey the brand's core values. If the brand focused on fast delivery, this could be a strong mark. Additionally, it reads as "F1," commonly associated with car racing, which might be unsuitable for a brand that prioritizes reliability and trust. As much as I love this concept, I need to drop it.
In the fifth and final concept, I simplified the "FF" even more than in the first design. While it looks great, something still feels off, and not that appropriate to the brand identity.

Wordmark

Font Shortlist for Freight First

I decided to start with a wordmark to evaluate how these concepts would integrate with it. I experimented with various bold fonts to find one that appeared strong, bold, and trustworthy. Aiming to avoid a plain look and distinguish it from other brands, I explored geometric typeface styles, believing they would convey strength and reliability.

The typography choice for Freight First

From the shortlisted fonts, I selected Montserrat because, in black or extra bold, it conveys strength and reliability feeling while remaining approachable.

Montserrat became one of the most popular fonts that people entrust for this last few years, so I think it’s suitable for Freight First, a company that will gain popularity and trustworthy within short period of time.

Final Concept

The Development Process of Freight First Final Concept

After settling on the wordmark, I tried to shape the F from the font into an icon.

I first tried aligning the FF initials into arrows and considered tilting them for added visual interest. Then, I realized I should flip the mindset, and aimed to create an arrow that also resembled the letter F, rather than just using the letter itself. When I positioned two F-shaped arrows together, they formed a hidden arrow in the center, which I felt made for a strong, impactful mark. The cherry on top was realizing that the endpoints of this hidden arrow could flawlessly represent the optimal route from point A to B!

The Final Concept for Freight First Logo

I continued refining the concept by creating arrows through negative space. This use of negative space helps provide clear directional cues—pointing from A to B and vice versa—which is highly appropriate for a logistics company. Without incorporating negative space, the A-to-B concept might be lost in translation, and unnecessary borders could emerge. However, presenting both options to the client might be better in this situation.

My Trial and Error for Freight First Logo Concepts

I assembled the most potential concepts and evaluated how they fit with the wordmark, and I came to the conclusion that the box design held the greatest potential. This logo is strong, bold, and simple enough to be featured on a truck or any other form of transportation. It would look great printed anywhere—on trucks, in logistics applications, or on any cargo-related items.

Color Palette

The color palette for Freight First

For the color palette, I chose Navy Blue as the main color, because ⁠it appears strong without seeming overly traditional, exuding reliability. Additionally, I added shades of blue and gray, accented with a touch of yellow. This conveys Freight First's commitment to finding the optimal way to transport goods with utmost reliability and security.

The color palette in use

Final Words

The Lock Up, and Color Treatment for Freight First

The concept for the Freight First logo effectively fulfills the client's brief by highlighting trust, security, and professionalism. The use of Montserrat in black or extra bold conveys a strong and reliable presence, aligning with the company's emphasis on dependable service. The icon, formed by two F-shaped arrows, subtly creates a hidden arrow in the center, symbolizing optimal route finding from point A to point B, which is a key specialization of Freight First. ⁠The selection of navy blue as the primary color further enhances the sense of trust and reliability, commonly associated with the transportation and logistics industry.

The overall design—strong, bold, and simple—ensures versatility across various applications, from trucks to logistics documents, reinforcing the company's industry expertise and professional services.

I really like this logo design concept for its simplicity and effectiveness. If this concept is approved, I would definitely refine the color palette to make it more suitable for print.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Logo Concept 04-Freight First Logo

Tue, 22 Jul 2025 21:15:00 +0700

Final Design Concept for Freight First Logo

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hiya, Bill!

I attached a few references that describe our target visual aesthetic.

We're not looking for a logo that is eye-catching or even colorful. It just has to convey the company's industry experience and professional services.

I'm excited to see your pitch.

Ps: I'm not opposed to the idea of replacing the 'First' in our company name with the number '1'.

Paul Atreides
Fright First

Brief Interpretation

Popular Transportation and Logistics Brands

Another trend is the use of bold typefaces, which we should consider as well. Most brands employ either a wordmark or a combination mark, with the wordmark typically serving as the focal point.

Therefore, for this brand logo concept, we need it to be strong, bold, and blue.

Conceptualizing

Initial Concepts for Freight First

I have five concepts to explore, each worthy of consideration in its own way.

The first concept appears strong without being overly playful. In this design, I incorporated the initials “FF” into the shape of a truck, creating an attractive and appealing visual.
The second concept combines the number one and the letter F to form a compelling visual. I considered shaping the number one into an airplane, but ultimately decided against it due to its playfulness against the brand core values.
In the third concept, I transformed the letter F into a wing. While it looked great, it felt inappropriate since we focus on brokerage rather than air transport. Although I still appreciate the idea, it doesn’t align with the brand's purpose.
The fourth concept is one I absolutely love. It features an F shaped like a wing and the number one resembling a truck with cargo inside. However, it emphasizes speed over trustworthiness and reliability, failing to convey the brand's core values. If the brand focused on fast delivery, this could be a strong mark. Additionally, it reads as "F1," commonly associated with car racing, which might be unsuitable for a brand that prioritizes reliability and trust. As much as I love this concept, I need to drop it.
In the fifth and final concept, I simplified the "FF" even more than in the first design. While it looks great, something still feels off, and not that appropriate to the brand identity.

Wordmark

Font Shortlist for Freight First

The typography choice for Freight First

From the shortlisted fonts, I selected Montserrat because, in black or extra bold, it conveys strength and reliability feeling while remaining approachable.

Final Concept

The Development Process of Freight First Final Concept

After settling on the wordmark, I tried to shape the F from the font into an icon.

The Final Concept for Freight First Logo

My Trial and Error for Freight First Logo Concepts

Color Palette

The color palette for Freight First

The color palette in use

Final Words

The Lock Up, and Color Treatment for Freight First

I really like this logo design concept for its simplicity and effectiveness. If this concept is approved, I would definitely refine the color palette to make it more suitable for print.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Logo Concept 03-TripleWP Logo

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 19:44:00 +0700

Logo Design Concept for TripleWP

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hey, Henry!

I want to work with you on a logo design for a startup I'm launching this fall—TripleWP.

For the last two years I've been working on a new application that simplifies the user experience of developing a website within WordPress.

I choose the name TripleWP since our first beta users were able to design and update their websites around three times faster than the traditional method of writing code. The WP part of the company name is a standard abbreviation of WordPress and is an indicator to our audience of where the software can be installed.

I really want to get a visual identity that is friendly, not intimidating and incorporates a typeface that reflects our cutting-edge tech. The Cloudflare logo is a great example of these ideals. In addition, a majority of the application has already been designed around a blue, white, and black color scheme that the logo should also use.

I'm not against having the design be abstract; I know it's impossible to convey all of the software's features in a single symbol.

You should have enough information to design a great logo! I've attached some references for visual inspiration.

I'm excited to see your logo proposal!

Jim Halpert,

TripleWP

Brief Interpretation

Currently, trends in visual identities for tech companies diverge in two directions. You either choose black and white to enhance trustworthiness and reliability, or opt for vibrant colors to convey innovation and energy, reflecting cutting-edge qualities and technologies while being friendly.

Based on the brief, the brand personalities and identity clearly lean towards being friendly and slightly cutting-edge, rather than corporate. Therefore, we should choose vibrant colors and geometric typefaces with a sense of openness, reflecting a user-friendly and approachable vibe.

In the brief, they mentioned they are open to using abstract design, but I would avoid overly abstract elements, as they require significant interpretation from the audience to understand the logo. I aim for simplicity—something visually appealing that isn't overthought.

What’s a bit challenging is how the client wanted to keep using black and white in their color scheme. So the logo needs ⁠a balancing act: friendly and approachable styles combined with cutting-edge technology while incorporating a black and white color scheme. It will be a bit challenging to synergize all of this into a cohesive visual identity, but I like the challenge.

Typography

Wordmark choices

The first step for this project is selecting the typeface, because the wordmark will be used most of the time, and will have a huge impact on the overall look and feel for the brand.

I've experimented with various geometric typefaces and popular fonts in the tech and UI design space. They tend to look similar at first glance, but for the 'TripleWP' wordmark, ⁠one thing I'm particularly looking for is ⁠how each letter works together. ⁠The challenge lies in the letters “r” and “i.” They can easily blend together and appear as the same shape in small size, so I aim for clear separation for legibility in my font choice, allowing for easy use in articles and websites.

Typography for TripleWP

Eventually, I chose the Outfit font for its welcoming yet slightly techy geometric style that feels slightly unique. ⁠

Understanding that Outfit isn't suitable for body text, I suggested DM Sans for the website, reserving Outfit for headings and digital assets. If the client finds a single typeface style too plain, I’d recommend adding Space Grotesk for its character and personality, although simplicity remains a priority.

Color Scheme

Color Scheme for TripleWP

The client's specifically request for black and white in the color scheme limits creative freedom a little bit. To infuse some energy to the brand, I chose neon blue and a very light green-yellow instead of pure white for the logo. This color appears white against neon blue but offers vibrancy as a background color. I think this approach strikes a good balance, because we can still have white and black, while also giving the brand some innovative energy.

Typography and Color Scheme in use

Logomark

Ideation Processs for logomark for TripleWp

Next, regarding the logo mark itself: I sketched various styles of the letters “WP” and even tried to digitize some of these ideas. However, I then realized that the 'triple' aspect wasn't translating well into the icon. If I were to use any of these designs, it might be mistaken with Wordpress itself, and the audience would not have associate with the brand name TripleWP as much. We need the icon that represent TripleWP as a whole identity, and not just a part of them.

Final Concept for TripleWP

Naturally, I decided to refocus on visualizing the 'triple' concept in a way that conveys speed and simplicity, as emphasized in the brief. The notion of being "three times faster" isn't a sustainable identity as it can evolve. Instead, I concentrated on the values of “fast, simple, and friendly”, which should be the core brand identity.

Conceptualizing these, I envisioned something as effortless as snapping fingers: like counting with '1, 2, 3', leading directly to an updated website. This approach effectively encapsulates and markets TripleWP's brand value.

I concentrated on simplifying and visualizing the concept to a downloading status or step sequence—visually representing the process with an arrow cursor. I placed "WP" as an outline around this icon, and it turned out visually pleasing, simple enough to convey the idea of tripleWP.

Final Words

Logo Design Concept for TripleWP

This project serves as a reminder that even when a client requests only a logo, we must consider the overall visual identity and sometimes assist in crafting the brand identity.

In this case, I even developed the brand message for TripleWP.

A potential brand tagline could be: "1, 2, 3, Deploy!"—simple, fast, and so user-friendly, that you’d feel like you could just count and publish your website!

After I got an approval from the client along with their feedback, I would definitely experiment further with the color scheme to enhance UI compatibility for application usage, adjust the line weight of the WP outline in the icon, and possibly round the corners of the wordmark.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Logo Concept 03-TripleWP Logo

Sat, 19 Jul 2025 19:44:00 +0700

Logo Design Concept for TripleWP

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hey, Henry!

I want to work with you on a logo design for a startup I'm launching this fall—TripleWP.

For the last two years I've been working on a new application that simplifies the user experience of developing a website within WordPress.

I'm not against having the design be abstract; I know it's impossible to convey all of the software's features in a single symbol.

You should have enough information to design a great logo! I've attached some references for visual inspiration.

I'm excited to see your logo proposal!

Jim Halpert,

TripleWP

Brief Interpretation

Typography

Wordmark choices

The first step for this project is selecting the typeface, because the wordmark will be used most of the time, and will have a huge impact on the overall look and feel for the brand.

Typography for TripleWP

Eventually, I chose the Outfit font for its welcoming yet slightly techy geometric style that feels slightly unique. ⁠

Color Scheme

Color Scheme for TripleWP

Typography and Color Scheme in use

Logomark

Ideation Processs for logomark for TripleWp

Final Concept for TripleWP

Final Words

Logo Design Concept for TripleWP

This project serves as a reminder that even when a client requests only a logo, we must consider the overall visual identity and sometimes assist in crafting the brand identity.

In this case, I even developed the brand message for TripleWP.

A potential brand tagline could be: "1, 2, 3, Deploy!"—simple, fast, and so user-friendly, that you’d feel like you could just count and publish your website!

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Logo Concept 02- Zelda Guide Logo

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:40:00 +0700

Zelda Guide Final Concept

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hey, team!

I represent ZeldaGuide.com--a small publisher of videos, articles, and community events around Legend of Zelda games.

Honestly, we are having issues deciding on a set of visuals for the site. We're often switching our header image at random, our logo has no relation to the games we produce content for, and visitors often confuse our site with similar blogs.

We need a visual identity that represents our website clearly.

Firstly, the new logo should avoid using the stereotypical Legend of Zelda typeface. We want to forge our own identity without being too dependent on another established brand. On the same topic, I want to personally avoid any copyright issues with Nintendo.

If we decide to create a symbol for the primary logo design, I want it to use similar color palettes, stylistic references, and visual language from the Zelda franchise.

We're also interested in starting a t-shirt shop to diversify our revenue. Your logo would be the first design that we create merchandise with! This will force the final logo to use a maximum of three colors in order to produce merchandise with a screen-printing process.

I can't wait to see how you decide to design our logo.

Best,
Masha Kait

Brief Interpretation

The brief is somewhat challenging due to specific expectations for the visual identity stemming from a website dedicated to a well-established game franchise. At the same time, diverge from these expectations enough to forge a distinct path and establish a new visual identity. Additionally, this new logo and visual identity must be striking enough for merchandise while also being accessible and scalability for website usage.

The best approach I could think of is to adopt a distinctly different personality for the wordmark, aiming to evoke a sense of fun and exploration. Then, by incorporating visual elements and symbolism from the franchise, we can ensure that people recognize the association with Zelda without any copyright issues.

I first need to familiarize myself with Zelda’s visual language before moving forward with the project.

Researching

The Original Zelda logos

I began researching to grasp the visual identity of the Zelda world. As I only ever played Zelda: Breath of the Wild for about 30 minutes before giving up, LOL!

I started with the Zelda logos. The wordmark has been consistently used throughout the franchise. Since the client specifically requested not to use a similar style, I was thinking of going in a totally different direction, aiming for fun instead of the historical style like the original version. The only element I’d borrow would be the embellishment inside the “Z,” which feels perfect to use as a compass needle. There was one logo version with the compass, so I thought aligning both of them together might be worth exploring.

Merchandise with Zelda's symbols and visual elements

Next, I examine the symbols commonly used in the games to better understand Zelda’s visual style. Many geometric shapes, wings, and swords are present. Therefore, we should aim to emulate these themes in this logo concept.

Compass designs used in Zelda's games

Lastly, I specifically searched for a compass designed for the games because I wanted to use it as a symbol to guide users through tips and tricks on the "Zelda Guide" website. A pocket compass design certainly felt promising.

Keeping all these images, colors, and styles in mind, I began conceptualizing.

Conceptualizing

My Sketches for Zelda Guide Logo Concepts

During the conceptualization phase, I began shaping and exploring various concepts based on my research to identify unique characteristics that could be integrated into the Zelda Guide logo.

One promising idea emerged during the research process: using a compass for the logo mark. Given the name 'Zelda Guide,' a compass perfectly symbolizes 'guidance.' Initially, I considered shaping the pocket compass into a "G"—the initial for "Guide" in Zelda Guide— and having a “Z” as a part of compass needle but it disrupted the symmetry, so I decided against it.

While analyzing various Zelda wordmarks, I realized that the embellishment in the 'Z' could be transformed into a compass icon. With enough creativity, it could represent both a compass and the letter "Z" for Zelda. I then experimented with various ways to incorporate all my ideas while steering clear of the original wordmark during my brainstorming session.

Developing the wordmark involved a trial-and-error approach to balance aesthetics and functionality. I debated whether to use all caps or title case for "Zelda Guide." Eventually, I conceived the idea of transforming the "L" in Zelda and the "I" in Guide into a sword—a common symbol in Zelda logos—making it the focal point of the wordmark.

Ultimately, however, the compass was chosen as the central element to better represent the theme of a guidance website.

Typography

Zelda Guide with Gnomon* font

The next step was to digitize the concept, starting with the typeface. I aimed for a slightly wider style to keep the words "Zelda" and "Guide" proportionate so I could incorporate my compass/sword idea into the wordmark.

My Typography Choice, Gnomon* and Roboto Condensed

The GNOMON* font emerged as an ideal choice—fun and friendly, and distinct from the original Zelda typeface. Uniquely, it includes a foreground font that allows you to create a drop shadow effect with ease. I found this feature perfect for creating assets for a gaming website like this.

The secondary typeface is Roboto Condensed, as I envisioned the Zelda Guide to be an information-dense website. A reliable, highly readable, and compact font style would help readers access the information they seek more efficiently.

Color Palette

Color Experimentation Process

Now, onto the color experimentation. Numerous shades of green and yellow—the most distinct combination for Zelda—were tested, balancing between dark and bright tones to ensure good color accessibility and visual contrast on the website. After several attempts, I settled on a complementary combination.

My proposed color palette: using Fern Green and Maize colors as primary colors, and Ivory, Persimmon, and Garnet for complementary colors

After settling on the primary colors, I explored the color scheme that could be used for the entire website. My proposed color palette: using Fern Green and Maize colors as primary colors, and Ivory, Persimmon, and Garnet for complementary colors

Typography and Color Mockup

I also created a simple mockup demonstrating how to implement the color scheme.

Logo Mark

My first and a bit improved icon mark

My initial decision was to prioritize combining a compass and the letter Z to emphasize the guiding nature of the website. However, crafting the logo mark that effectively represented both elements ⁠presented its own set of challenges.

I struggled to make it resemble both a compass and the letter Z simultaneously, causing both messages to become lost in translation. The concept of a Z-shaped and compass was not immediately clear and lacked a defined hierarchy.

The color treatment for my dropped icon mark

I decided to alter my approach, creating Z in a negative space to establish a visual hierarchy centered around Z as a focal point. Unfortunately, it no longer resembled Zelda's visual aesthetic. I still wasn’t satisfied with this concept and would like to explore another direction.

The final concept for Zelda Guide's icon

I decided to remove the "Z" from the icon and focus on the sword symbol, revisiting my original idea. I incorporated the sword into the wordmark. For the icon, I placed a pocket compass around the sword, positioning the sword as the compass needle pointing north. This design better connects Zelda Guide with the Zelda community by borrowing visual language from the official logo.

Final Words

Zelda Guide Final Concept

Although the current design is still a work in progress, it showcases a strong concept with the potential to evolve into a memorable brand identity. It deviates from Zelda’s typeface while incorporating familiar Zelda elements, allowing people to easily identify and associate ZeldaGuide.com with Zelda.

Both the wordmark and the logomark possess visually appealing and memorable qualities, transforming them into marketable merchandise that fans would be proud to wear. I believe this logo concept lays a solid foundation, ready for refinement and future development.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Logo Concept 02- Zelda Guide Logo

Tue, 15 Jul 2025 21:40:00 +0700

Zelda Guide Final Concept

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the brief from the challenge:

The Brief from LogoCore

Hey, team!

I represent ZeldaGuide.com--a small publisher of videos, articles, and community events around Legend of Zelda games.

We need a visual identity that represents our website clearly.

If we decide to create a symbol for the primary logo design, I want it to use similar color palettes, stylistic references, and visual language from the Zelda franchise.

I can't wait to see how you decide to design our logo.

Best,
Masha Kait

Brief Interpretation

I first need to familiarize myself with Zelda’s visual language before moving forward with the project.

Researching

The Original Zelda logos

I began researching to grasp the visual identity of the Zelda world. As I only ever played Zelda: Breath of the Wild for about 30 minutes before giving up, LOL!

Merchandise with Zelda's symbols and visual elements

Compass designs used in Zelda's games

Keeping all these images, colors, and styles in mind, I began conceptualizing.

Conceptualizing

My Sketches for Zelda Guide Logo Concepts

During the conceptualization phase, I began shaping and exploring various concepts based on my research to identify unique characteristics that could be integrated into the Zelda Guide logo.

Ultimately, however, the compass was chosen as the central element to better represent the theme of a guidance website.

Typography

Zelda Guide with Gnomon* font

My Typography Choice, Gnomon* and Roboto Condensed

Color Palette

Color Experimentation Process

My proposed color palette: using Fern Green and Maize colors as primary colors, and Ivory, Persimmon, and Garnet for complementary colors

Typography and Color Mockup

I also created a simple mockup demonstrating how to implement the color scheme.

Logo Mark

My first and a bit improved icon mark

The color treatment for my dropped icon mark

The final concept for Zelda Guide's icon

Final Words

Zelda Guide Final Concept

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

The Logo Concept 01-Alison Cosmetics

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:10:00 +0700

Logo Concept Series

Please keep in mind that creating a polished logo design typically requires more than just a few days. Therefore, consider everything from this challenge as a draft that will need further feedback from clients for refinement to truly shine.

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let's kick things off with the first brief from the challenge: Alison Cosmetics.

The Brief from LogoCore on Alison Cosmetics

Hello!

I'm the owner of Alison Cosmetics and I'm looking for a new logo for my online beauty store. I was recommended by friends that you were the perfect designer for my design project!

My previous logo was just a boring font, and it didn't really represent the products we are selling. It also didn't look very great when used as a profile picture on our company's social media. I was hoping you could make our store more memorable with an eye-catching logo!

We mostly sell skincare products and cosmetics that include lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes, and eyeliner. All of the products are vegan, and we're well known for our product bundles where we sell several of our best-selling products in a curated package designed by a local artist.

The store mostly uses soft colors, ranging from pinks to purples, so I'd prefer to stick to similar tones in order for the store's visuals to feel unified. I'm also not interested in any cursive typefaces--I just don't think it would be legible on our website.

I am also interested in printing the new logo onto the bottom of our cosmetics in the future. The printing area would be around 2cm by 2cm on black surface. It would be amazing if the logo could fit into this tight space.

I'm excited to see what you come up with!

Alison Lee
CEO of Alison Cosmetics

Brief Interpretation

The client's brief emphasizes not using boring fonts, implying a desire for uniqueness and creativity. An eye-catching logo implies the desire to steering clear of typical industry norms. For the wordmark, the client specifically stated not to use cursive typefaces because they are concerned about legibility and the scalability of the brand mark for small packaging is also a concern.

Therefore, the logo must be unique, creative, eye-catching, legible, and scalable down to around 2 cm.

The brief specifies using tones of pink, purple, and soft colors, allowing the client to maintain their existing color palettes. This can simplify the client’s process, avoiding the need to learn new color palettes to associate with the brand, especially since they already used curated packaging designed by local artists, highlighting the creativity and uniqueness of the brand.

Since it’s primarily vegan skincare products, along with some cosmetics—lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes, and eyeliners—we need to take all of these into consideration and design an icon mark that represents these aspects effectively. It should emphasize creativity, legibility, environmental friendliness, and universality for various applications, especially on the packaging.

Conceptualizing

Having understood the brief, I began sketching ideas. Initially, I considered a monogram approach but realized it would appear bland, something the client mentioned to avoid. I then incorporated symbols representing their brand identity and products. I chose to focus on an eye as a central theme, subtly integrating an 'A' and 'C' into an eye shape, reflecting beauty and skincare.

First sketches for the Alison Cosmetics

After numerous iterations, I settled on this eye icon for the icon mark. I believe it is eye-catching, distinctive, and possesses a certain elegance, yet remains approachable. It's captivating enough to prompt people to stop and take notice when they see the logo on packaging. The goal is for the logo to be captivating and universally applicable. This design is scalable, maintaining its eye shape and brand recognition even at a small scale.

Digitalization

Typography Choices

For the wordmark, I would offer two typeface choices: Playfair Display, which leans a bit more elegant, or Fraunces, which is more dynamic and creative. Both options look great and suit the brand; it depends on the client’s preference for elegance versus approachable. Personally, I would suggest using the Fraunces font because it appears eye-catching, playful, and helps connect with the audience and customers better.

Typography Choice for Alison Cosmetics

To customize the wordmark, I chose to use lowercase letters for "Alison" because I wanted it to look more dynamic. I added a subtle eyelash element to the letter “a”, referencing the icon mark and enhancing the overall message that the brand aims to convey to the audience.

Color Pallette for Alison Cosmetics

For the color, since the brand focused on skincare products, I incorporated the cream along with subtle pink and purple to represent the skintone and how Alison Cosmetic products can elevated the beauty.

Alison Cosmetics Logo Concept

Final Words

Alison Cosmetic Concept

This is my logo concept for Alison Cosmetics, aiming to convey the brand identity by combining a distinctive eye icon that reflect its gentle, beauty products. The use of soft, harmonious colors like pinks and purples, which evoke a sense of gentleness, care, and femininity—qualities that resonate deeply with the target audience of skincare and cosmetics consumers. Its clean, legible typography and scalable design ensure consistent recognition across all platforms and packaging. This cohesive visual identity reinforces Alison Cosmetics’ commitment to natural, creative, and approachable beauty, making the brand memorable and trustworthy to its audience.

P.S. Given more time, I would have made the eye lash for the wordmark a bit more fluid, so it can be used as a submark.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

The Logo Concept 01-Alison Cosmetics

Fri, 11 Jul 2025 19:10:00 +0700

Logo Concept Series

While these designs may not be fully refined, I believe they will offer us a general idea of the concept.

That being said, let’s kick things off with the first brief from the challenge: Alison Cosmetics.

The Brief from LogoCore on Alison Cosmetics

Hello!

I’m the owner of Alison Cosmetics and I’m looking for a new logo for my online beauty store. I was recommended by friends that you were the perfect designer for my design project!

My previous logo was just a boring font, and it didn’t really represent the products we are selling. It also didn’t look very great when used as a profile picture on our company’s social media. I was hoping you could make our store more memorable with an eye-catching logo!

We mostly sell skincare products and cosmetics that include lipsticks, eyeshadows, blushes, and eyeliner. All of the products are vegan, and we’re well known for our product bundles where we sell several of our best-selling products in a curated package designed by a local artist.

The store mostly uses soft colors, ranging from pinks to purples, so I’d prefer to stick to similar tones in order for the store’s visuals to feel unified. I’m also not interested in any cursive typefaces–I just don’t think it would be legible on our website.

I’m excited to see what you come up with!

Alison Lee
CEO of Alison Cosmetics

Brief Interpretation

The client’s brief emphasizes not using boring fonts, implying a desire for uniqueness and creativity. An eye-catching logo implies the desire to steering clear of typical industry norms. For the wordmark, the client specifically stated not to use cursive typefaces because they are concerned about legibility and the scalability of the brand mark for small packaging is also a concern.

Therefore, the logo must be unique, creative, eye-catching, legible, and scalable down to around 2 cm.

Conceptualizing

Having understood the brief, I began sketching ideas. Initially, I considered a monogram approach but realized it would appear bland, something the client mentioned to avoid. I then incorporated symbols representing their brand identity and products. I chose to focus on an eye as a central theme, subtly integrating an ‘A’ and ‘C’ into an eye shape, reflecting beauty and skincare.

First sketches for the Alison Cosmetics

After numerous iterations, I settled on this eye icon for the icon mark. I believe it is eye-catching, distinctive, and possesses a certain elegance, yet remains approachable. It’s captivating enough to prompt people to stop and take notice when they see the logo on packaging. The goal is for the logo to be captivating and universally applicable. This design is scalable, maintaining its eye shape and brand recognition even at a small scale.

Digitalization

Typography Choices

Typography Choice for Alison Cosmetics

Color Pallette for Alison Cosmetics

Alison Cosmetics Logo Concept

Final Words

Alison Cosmetic Concept

P.S. Given more time, I would have made the eye lash for the wordmark a bit more fluid.

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 12-Born This Way by Lady Gaga

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

As we approach the end of Pride Month, I’m creating lettering pieces celebrating music related to LGBTQIA+ community. My goal is to expose people to good music and artists while also help bringing the community filled with diversity together, since music is like a universal language that can touch anyone’s heart.

Born This Way is the perfect anthem to close out Pride Month. The song doesn’t just acknowledge humanity’s diversity—it celebrates it wholeheartedly. Each of us is born with a unique identity, but we all have worth just the same. So, be confident, be kind, and most of all, be yourself. Let’s celebrate life together—right now—and dance to this rhythm of life!

For the lettering, I envision subtle glimmers and sparkles, adding a gentle, luminous touch. This represents how our inherent identities make us shine from within. I’ve softened the Pride Flag colors in the background, blending them with the overall design. This symbolizes how the lines that separate us are beautifully blurred, reflecting the shared humanity that unites us all.

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital "H-I-M" (M, M, M)
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

My mama told me when I was young
"We are all born superstars"
She rolled my hair and put my lipstick on
In the glass of her boudoir
"There's nothing wrong with loving who you are"
She said, "'Cause He made you perfect, babe"
"So hold your head up, girl, and you'll go far
Listen to me when I say"

I'm beautiful in my way
'Cause God makes no mistakes
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way
Don't hide yourself in regret
Just love yourself, and you're set
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way (Born this way)

Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way (Born this way)
Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be (Don't be, don't be)

Give yourself prudence and love your friends
Subway kid, rejoice your truth
In the religion of the insecure
I must be myself, respect my youth
A different lover is not a sin
Believe capital H-I-M, hey, hey, hey
I love my life, I love this record and
Mi amore vole fe yah (Same DNA)

Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way (Born this way)
Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Right track, baby
I was born this way

(Way) Don't be, don't be
(Way) Church

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Whether you're broke or evergreen
You're black, white, beige, cholo descent
You're Lebanese, you're orient
Whether life's disabilities
Left you outcast, bullied, or teased
Rejoice and love yourself today
'Cause baby, you were born this way

No matter gay, straight, or bi
Lesbian, transgendered life
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to survive
No matter black, white, or beige
Chola or orient made
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born to be brave!

Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way (Born this way)
Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way

I was born this way, hey
I was born this way, hey
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, hey
I was born this way, hey
I was born this way, hey
I'm on the right track, baby
I was born this way, hey
Same DNA, but born this way (Hey, hey, hey)
Same DNA, but born this way (Hey, hey, hey)

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 12-Born This Way by Lady Gaga

Mon, 30 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Born This Way by Lady Gaga

It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital "H-I-M" (M, M, M)
Just put your paws up
'Cause you were born this way, baby

Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way (Born this way)
Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Right track, baby
I was born this way

Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be a drag, just be a queen
Don't be (Don't be, don't be)

Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Baby, I was born this way (Born this way)
Ooh, there ain't no other way
Baby, I was born this way
Right track, baby
I was born this way

(Way) Don't be, don't be
(Way) Church

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 11-Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Same Love challenges a society filled with homophobia, prejudice, and outdated worldviews, while also carrying the hopes and dreams of the LGBTQIA+ community for a better future. The song is overflowing with raw, genuine emotion—I could truly feel the pain and struggles throughout, and it got me a bit teary the first time I listened.

Indeed, the world can be cruel, with hatred and bias approaching us from every corner, whether as a direct attack or in a subtle tone. But real change begins within ourselves, and it grows when we inspire those around us to change as well.

We must open our minds and our hearts to recognize that love is love, and to embrace it in all its beautiful forms. For there is nothing more powerful than a bond built on love and mutual understanding.

For the lettering, I want to capture the idea that a big heart and an inner light can truly change the world. I kept the design simple, because at the end of the day, that’s what matters most: love.

No matter how many bruises hatred and prejudice may leave, it’s love that helps us get back up every time the world tries to push us down. Love is our strength, our resilience, and the reason we keep moving forward.

Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

[Macklemore:]
When I was in the third grade I thought that I was gay
'Cause I could draw, my uncle was, and I kept my room straight
I told my mom, tears rushing down my face
She's like "Ben you've loved girls since before Pre-K, trippin'"
Yeah, I guess she had a point, didn't she?
Bunch of stereotypes all in my head
I remember doing the math like, "Yeah, I'm good at little league"
A pre-conceived idea of what it all meant
For those that like the same sex
Had the characteristics
The right-wing conservatives think it's a decision
And you can be cured with some treatment and religion
Man-made rewiring of a pre-disposition
Playing God, aw nah here we go
America the brave still fears what we don't know
And "God loves all his children" is somehow forgotten
But we paraphrase a book written thirty-five hundred years ago
I don't know

[Mary Lambert:]
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

[Macklemore:]
If I was gay, I would think hip-hop hates me
Have you read the YouTube comments lately?
"Man, that's gay" gets dropped on the daily
We've become so numb to what we're sayin'
Our culture founded from oppression
Yet we don't have acceptance for 'em
Call each other faggots behind the keys of a message board
A word rooted in hate, yet our genre still ignores it
"Gay" is synonymous with the lesser
It's the same hate that's caused wars from religion
Gender to skin color, the complexion of your pigment
The same fight that led people to walk-outs and sit-ins
It's human rights for everybody, there is no difference
Live on and be yourself
When I was at church they taught me something else
If you preach hate at the service those words aren't anointed
That holy water that you soak in has been poisoned
When everyone else is more comfortable remaining voiceless
Rather than fighting for humans that have had their rights stolen
I might not be the same, but that's not important
No freedom 'til we're equal, damn right I support it

(I don't know)

[Mary Lambert:]
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

[Macklemore:]
We press play, don't press pause
Progress, march on
With a veil over our eyes
We turn our back on the cause
'Til the day that my uncles can be united by law
When kids are walking 'round the hallway plagued by pain in their heart
A world so hateful some would rather die than be who they are
And a certificate on paper isn't gonna solve it all
But it's a damn good place to start
No law's gonna change us
We have to change us
Whatever God you believe in
We come from the same one
Strip away the fear
Underneath it's all the same love
About time that we raised up

Love is patient
Love is kind
Love is patient
Love is kind
(Not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(Not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(Not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
(Not crying on Sundays)
Love is kind
(I'm not crying on Sundays)
Love is patient
Love is kind

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 11-Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

(I don't know)

[Mary Lambert:]
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 11-Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

Sun, 29 Jun 2025 20:20:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Same Love by Macklemore & Ryan Lewis featuring Mary Lambert

(I don't know)

[Mary Lambert:]
And I can't change
Even if I tried
Even if I wanted to
My love
My love
My love
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm
She keeps me warm

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 10-THEY! by corook

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:55:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

In my opinion, They! by corook is the perfect song for anyone wanting to come out and tell everyone they prefer the pronouns They/Them. I truly love this line: “I’m just a little more me in the middle.” To me, this lyric beautifully captures the essence of being non-binary and non-conforming, expressing how identities can exist across a spectrum rather than within rigid categories. And this shade of spectrum is what makes us different yet so unique.

What makes this song special is how it can be a good introduction for the concept of being non-binary to those who may find it difficult to understand. No matter how challenging it is for you, you should never disrespect someone’s request (such as using They/Them pronouns in this case) or their existence, just because it feels confusing to understand. Even if you still don’t fully grasp it, that’s okay as long as you remain open-minded and willing to see the world as a spectrum instead of a box.

However, what I love most about “They!” is its emphasis on patience—both for ourselves as we navigate our identities, and for others as they learn to understand and support us. Mistakes and frustrations are natural, but what matters is the intention to do better and to keep growing.

For the lettering in my design, I aimed for a sticker style, though in hindsight, a “Name Tag” design with “My Pronoun is They/Them” could have worked better. I added a touch of graffiti style to the lettering, and since I chose a sticker theme, I made the background resemble a wall board with paper and a sticker to tie everything together.

THEY! by corook

Ahem, ah-ah-ahem
This is a public service announcement
Anyone dressed in androgynous outfits
This is a sweet and friendly reminder
That you are safe here, show off your binder (whoa!)
(La-la-la-la-la)

The outside world gets a little bit crazy
Trying to figure out, "Are you a man or a lady?"
Not rocket surgery, it's very simple
I'm just a little more me in the middle

And when they put me in the hot, hot, hot seat
And everybody wants to bo-o-ox me
If I'm feeling accepted and comfy and safe
I'll say

"It's been a while, nice to see ya
There's something I've been meaning to say
No, I'm okay
You know how I'm gay?
Well, now I go by 'They'
It's no big deal, I'm more me now (me now)
I understand if you make mistakes
It's all okay
I'm still the same
But now I go by 'They'"

And it feels like (ah)
Prefect, perfect, perfect

So you grew up Christian (ay)
In a rigid system (ay)
So it's hard to listen (ay)
When that little voice says, "Something's missing"
But no one's rushing you (rushing)
We're just loving you (loving you)
When you're ready to (ready)
We'll be here with open ears when you say

"It's been a while, nice to see ya (see ya)
There's something I've been meaning to say
No, I'm okay
You know how I'm gay?
Well, now I go by 'They'
It's no big deal, I'm more me now (me now)
I understand if you make mistakes
It's all okay
I'm still the same
But now I go by 'They'"

Po-Po-Po-Pokémon shirt, but you know that it's a crop-top
(They-them energy! They-them energy!)
I wish I had a beard and a bright green mohawk
(They-them energy! They-them energy!)
A tote bag filled with erotica poetry
(They-them energy! They-them energy!)
I wanna feel seen, but I hope no one will notice me
(They-them energy! They-them energy! They!)

It's been a while, nice to see ya (see ya)
There's something I've been meaning to say
No, I'm okay
You know how I'm gay?
Well, now I go by 'They'
It's no big deal, I'm more me now (more me)
I understand if you make mistakes
It's all okay
I'm still the same
But now I go by 'They'

And it feels like
Prefect, perfect, perfect

But now I go by 'They'

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 10-THEY! by corook

Sat, 28 Jun 2025 19:55:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

THEY! by corook

The outside world gets a little bit crazy
Trying to figure out, "Are you a man or a lady?"
Not rocket surgery, it's very simple
I'm just a little more me in the middle

And when they put me in the hot, hot, hot seat
And everybody wants to bo-o-ox me
If I'm feeling accepted and comfy and safe
I'll say

And it feels like (ah)
Prefect, perfect, perfect

And it feels like
Prefect, perfect, perfect

But now I go by 'They'

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 09-Drag Queen by Chris Housman

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:12:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

I really love Guilty as Sin and The Bible Belt by Chris Housman—both are incredible songs for LGBTQIA+ community. However, I chose to do the lettering for Drag Queen because there are so few songs that celebrate drag queens, and I wanted to help promote this amazing track!

What I truly admire about Drag Queen is how it tells the story from an outsider’s perspective, highlighting how much self-confidence and self-assured aura a drag queen radiating for them. It’s such an inspiring and uplifting tribute!

For the lettering, I want it to be as vibrant as possible, representing the colorful life, especially the pink, of drag queens. Additionally, I have layered multiple levels beneath the text “Drag Queen” to symbolize the complex, multifaceted lives of these individuals. This creates an eye-catching composition that celebrates the vibrancy, flamboyance, and multifaceted nature of drag culture.

Drag Queen by Chris Housman

He's teacher of the year
And royalty as well
'Cause every now and then
Michael becomes Michelle
A little red wine
To wind down his day
With a lot of eye shadow
But he never throws shade
He reaps what he sows
And sews his own dresses
The wig glue of the family
Always cleaning up messes
Puts on a face
And one hell of a show
And everybody round here knows

She's a drag queen but she ain't no drag
Lace-up front with a pony in the back
People try and knock her down all the time
But in her high heels she's still 6'5
She wouldn't hurt a soul or kill a fly
But she murders on the stage every Saturday night
The kind of woman lotta men wish they could be
Ain't no dragging down a drag queen

She's more dolled up than Dolly
And you should see her dance
Triple threat with a mic
And the room in her hand
She's sharp as a tack
More funny than most
But thinking she's a danger
Is one hell of a joke

Folks will say what they say
And think what they think
But she'll be sitting pretty
While she's sipping a drink

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 09-Drag Queen by Chris Housman

Fri, 27 Jun 2025 21:12:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Drag Queen by Chris Housman

Folks will say what they say
And think what they think
But she'll be sitting pretty
While she's sipping a drink

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 08-Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:39:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Follow Your Arrow ⁠is the positive vibe we all need in this world.

I love how non-judgmental the song is, simply advising us to follow whatever direction our hearts truly desire. This short life is yours alone, so you should live it honestly and wholeheartedly.

Accept who you are and what you want. Stop making choices based on what others say or the societal norms we’ve been conditioned to follow. People will always find something to criticize, so you’re better off following your own path and living authentically.

The song also teaches us to be open-minded about the differences we all inevitably have. Because , in the end, no matter how different we may seem, we are all fundamentally the same—people with hearts and souls who want to live life on our own terms. So, let others choose their own paths, just as you choose yours.

For the lettering, I embraced the concept of following your arrow by drawing arrows pointing in various directions, symbolizing the freedom to choose any path your heart desires. The background incorporates a sense of forward movement, like an arrow in flight, to strengthen the concept further.

Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves

If you save yourself for marriage, you're a bore
You don't save yourself for marriage, you're a horrible person
If you won't have a drink, then you're a prude
But they'll call you a drunk as soon as you down the first one
If you can't lose the weight, then you're just fat
But if you lose too much, then you're on crack
You're damned if you do, and you're damned if you don't

So you might as well just do whatever you want

So, make lots of noise (hey)
Kiss lots of boys (yup)
Or kiss lots of girls, if that's something you're into
When the straight and narrow gets a little too straight
Roll up a joint, or don't
Just follow your arrow wherever it points, yeah
Follow your arrow wherever it points

If you don't go to church, you'll go to Hell
If you're the first one on the front row, you're self-righteous son of a-
Can't win for losin', you'll just disappoint 'em
Just 'cause you can't beat 'em, don't mean you should join 'em

Say what you think (say what you think)
Love who you love (love who you love)
'Cause you just get so many trips 'round the sun
Yeah, you only, only live once
So make lots of noise (hey)
Kiss lots of boys (yup)
Or kiss lots of girls, if that's what you're into
When the straight and narrow gets a little too straight
Roll up a joint, I would
And follow your arrow wherever it points, yeah
Follow your arrow wherever it points

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 08-Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves

Thu, 26 Jun 2025 23:39:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Follow Your Arrow ⁠is the positive vibe we all need in this world.

I love how non-judgmental the song is, simply advising us to follow whatever direction our hearts truly desire. This short life is yours alone, so you should live it honestly and wholeheartedly.

Follow Your Arrow by Kacey Musgraves

So you might as well just do whatever you want

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 07-Bobby Sox by Green Day

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:02:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Bobby Sox is the song that kicked off this Pride Month Music project. As I was listening to it, I immediately felt inspired to create lettering that matched the energy of this badass track. The song is incredibly catchy yet intriguingly unique.

What makes Bobby Sox special is its universal vibe—a shared celebration for the entire community. It’s the kind of song that makes you nod your head and sing along effortlessly to the rhythm. It definitely deserves a spot on any LGBTQIA+ anthem playlist.

For the lettering, I aimed for a mix of punk and street art styles that’s so vibrant, it’s impossible to think of anything but a fun time.

Bobby Sox by Green Day

Do you wanna be my girlfriend?
I’ll take you to a movie that we’ve already seen
Or sit at home and watch reruns
There’s no other place I’d wanna be

Do you wanna be my girlfriend?

Do you wanna be my boyfriend?
We’ll walk the cemetery and I’ll kiss you again
And make our dead friends blush
We’ll be getting married right there on the scene
Do you want to be my best friend?
You can drive me crazy all over again
And I’ll bore you to death
Doesn’t matter when we are in love

Do you wanna be my boyfriend?

You’re not just any type of girl
My one true love and you’re my world

Do you wanna be my girlfriend?
Do you wanna be my boyfriend?
Do you wanna be my

Do you wanna be my girlfriend?
Do you wanna be my boyfriend?
Do you wanna be my

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 07-Bobby Sox by Green Day

Wed, 25 Jun 2025 22:02:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

For the lettering, I aimed for a mix of punk and street art styles that’s so vibrant, it’s impossible to think of anything but a fun time.

Bobby Sox by Green Day

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 06-Gettin' Bi (feat. Pete Gardner) from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:08:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

I absolutely love the show Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, and this song is pure genius! I previously discussed the song Gettin’ Bi in a blog post focused on the lettering of the character who sings it, and I still firmly believe it’s the perfect anthem for anyone coming out as bisexual. The lyrics are packed with quick wit and humor, while radiating an incredibly positive bi energy. Beyond being catchy and clever, the song also helps break down misconceptions and challenges common stereotypes about bisexuality.

For the lettering, I drew heavily from elements of my earlier work to maintain a consistent tone and ensure it aligned seamlessly with the overall theme, with bi flag and fun style.

Gettin' Bi (feat. Pete Gardner) - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Darryl:
I don't know. I don't know why.
But I like ladies. And I like guys.
I realize, it's a surprise! But
Now I see that that's just me.
It's not like I even try --

So if you ask me how I'm doing,
Here's is my reply:
I'm g-g-gettin' bi. Getting bi.
Oh yeah, I'm letting my bi flag
Fly. Not gonna hide it. Not
Gonna lie.

I'm a bi kinda guy. There's no
Reason to be shy. My oh my.
It's a fact I can't deny. I'm bi
Bi bi, until the day I die. Now
Some might say: aw you're
Just gay. Why don't you just
Go gay all the way? But that's
Not it. Cause bi's legit.
Whether you're a he or a she
We might be a perfect fit. And
One more thing. I'll tell you what.
Being bi doesn't imply that you're
A "playa" or a "slut." Sure, I like sex!

Jim:
Okay, Darryl please...

Darryl:
But I'm no "ho." I take things
Slow. Until I feel at ease!

Paula:
Please make him stop!

Darryl:
So if you ask me how I'm
Doin', I'm feeling peppy,
Sprightly, spry.

I'm g-g-gettin' bi. Getting bi.
And it's something I'd like to
Demystify. It's not a phase.
I'm not confused. Not indecisive.
Don't have the gotta choose
Blues! I don't care if you wear
High heels or a tie. You might
Just catch my eye. Because I'm
Definitely Bi! BIG MAN!

I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!
I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!
I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 06-Gettin' Bi (feat. Pete Gardner) from Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Tue, 24 Jun 2025 22:08:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

For the lettering, I drew heavily from elements of my earlier work to maintain a consistent tone and ensure it aligned seamlessly with the overall theme, with bi flag and fun style.

Gettin' Bi (feat. Pete Gardner) - Crazy Ex-Girlfriend

Darryl:
I don't know. I don't know why.
But I like ladies. And I like guys.
I realize, it's a surprise! But
Now I see that that's just me.
It's not like I even try --

So if you ask me how I'm doing,
Here's is my reply:
I'm g-g-gettin' bi. Getting bi.
Oh yeah, I'm letting my bi flag
Fly. Not gonna hide it. Not
Gonna lie.

Jim:
Okay, Darryl please...

Darryl:
But I'm no "ho." I take things
Slow. Until I feel at ease!

Paula:
Please make him stop!

Darryl:
So if you ask me how I'm
Doin', I'm feeling peppy,
Sprightly, spry.

I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!
I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!
I'm gettin' bi! I'm gettin' bi!

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 05-I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:33:00 +0700

I'm Coming Out Lettering

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

I wanted to create a lettering piece as a tribute to Diana Ross’s iconic song, “I’m Coming Out.” This song perfectly captures the spirit of liberation and the pride of expressing one’s true self. The phrase “come out of the closet” holds deep significance within the LGBTQIA+ community and resonates with many individuals. That’s why I believe this artwork will be meaningful and fitting for Pride Month.

Since there are a lot of details on this lettering piece that I'm proud of, I'd like to elaborate on my process for this one.

Process

Step 1: Ideation and Sketching

The sketch for the lettering

I arranged the phrase in an upward alignment, with fluid and expressive hand-lettering with s⁠lightly tilt and curve letters and some bounce between letters and words, to symbolize rising and breaking free from the norms.

I wanted to ground the visual tone a bit by using a bold, uppercase for “I’m”, and for the artist’s name.

I, then, added swashes and decorative elements that posses a free flow yet align harmoniously to create a visual rhythm, similar to how everyone in the community has their own distinct personality while flowing with their unique character.

Step 2 Digitize the First Draft

My first draft

I digitized the sketch using the Procreate app and experimented with various lettering brushes from my catalog. My focus was on finding brushes that offered 3D depth and texture to visualize a deep understanding of one's unique identity. I wrote the phrases freely, using the sketch as a guideline underneath, to determine what fit best.

Step 3 Create a Visual Style

I decided to go⁠ for a retro disco/funk style since it seems to fit with the song and the theme of a vibrant life after deciding to flaunt off your⁠ unapologetic self.

Since my lettering alignment leans towards the upright, I added an opposite line pattern in the background to create subtle visual balance.

For the lettering, I chose a retro disco aesthetic with neon green and vibrant colors. This approach enhances the fun element and aligns with the tone of liberating one’s true self.

After experimenting with the brush for a while, I settled on the brush that has a metallic feeling⁠ to add depth and tactile energy.

I then added rays of light burst around the lettering to symbolize the feeling of emerging and coming out to the world, adding dimension and excitement from self-expression.

Step 4 Added a Retro Sign

To enhance the retro vibe, I added a retro sign beneath the lettering, symbolizing breaking free from societal norms by making it look like the lettering are bursting out of a sign frame. ⁠This also helps drawing the viewer's eyes to the focal point. I included the pride flag inside the sign to represent visibility and inclusion of the LGBTQIA+ community, using a distortion tool in the app for a perfect fit with the retro sign.

Step 5 Add Light and Shadow

I added light and shadow to each letter, creating a radiant effect like a neon sign, evoking a sense of shining brightly and standing proud. I used a neon brush on the top left of each letter, as the light originates from this direction, and blended it wit⁠h the lettering base using a Gaussian Blur. Shadows were created similarly but on the opposite side on each letter.

Step 6 Finish the Background Details

I used a soft brush to add a ring of light around the lettering, making it appear as if the lettering illuminates the scene, enhancing the ray burst effect that I already put in place. I also added a vignette in each corner using the same technique. Again, I used the Gaussian Blur to blend them with the background.

Step 7 Add Rich Textures As a Final Touch

To add richness, I overlaid a paper texture on t⁠he top layer and a halftone texture under the lettering, giving visual depth and more authentic retro feeling to the overall design.

I also have the alternate version changing “Diana Ross” to “With Pride” to make the message reads as “I’m Coming Out With Pride,” highlighting the theme of liberation and authenticity even more.

I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross

I’m coming out
I’m coming
I’m coming out
I’m coming out
I’m coming out
I’m coming out

I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

There’s a new me coming out
And I just had to live
And I wanna give
I’m completely positive
I think this time around
I am gonna do it
Like you never do it
Like you never knew it
Ooh, I’ll make it through

The time has come for me
To break out of the shell
I have to shout
That I’m coming out

I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

I’ve got to show the world
All that I wanna be
And all my billities
Ther’s so much more to me
Somehow, I have to make them
Just understand
I got it well in hand
And, oh, how I’ve planned
I’m spreadin' love
There’s no need to fear
And I just feel so glad
Everytime I hear:

I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 05-I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross

Mon, 23 Jun 2025 22:33:00 +0700

I'm Coming Out Lettering

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

Since there are a lot of details on this lettering piece that I'm proud of, I'd like to elaborate on my process for this one.

Process

Step 1: Ideation and Sketching

The sketch for the lettering

I wanted to ground the visual tone a bit by using a bold, uppercase for “I’m”, and for the artist’s name.

Step 2 Digitize the First Draft

My first draft

Step 3 Create a Visual Style

I decided to go⁠ for a retro disco/funk style since it seems to fit with the song and the theme of a vibrant life after deciding to flaunt off your⁠ unapologetic self.

Since my lettering alignment leans towards the upright, I added an opposite line pattern in the background to create subtle visual balance.

For the lettering, I chose a retro disco aesthetic with neon green and vibrant colors. This approach enhances the fun element and aligns with the tone of liberating one’s true self.

After experimenting with the brush for a while, I settled on the brush that has a metallic feeling⁠ to add depth and tactile energy.

I then added rays of light burst around the lettering to symbolize the feeling of emerging and coming out to the world, adding dimension and excitement from self-expression.

Step 4 Added a Retro Sign

Step 5 Add Light and Shadow

Step 6 Finish the Background Details

Step 7 Add Rich Textures As a Final Touch

To add richness, I overlaid a paper texture on t⁠he top layer and a halftone texture under the lettering, giving visual depth and more authentic retro feeling to the overall design.

I’m Coming Out by Diana Ross

I’m coming out
I’m coming
I’m coming out
I’m coming out
I’m coming out
I’m coming out

I’m coming out
I want the world to know
Got to let it show
I’m coming out
I want the world to know
I got to let it show

💬 Comment About My Work or 🖌️ Get Your Own Lettering

Pride Month Music 04-dark times by Ben Platt

Sun, 22 Jun 2025 19:19:00 +0700

Happy Pride Month! 🌈🏳️‍🌈

“dark times” by Ben Platt is the song I wish my younger self could have listened to. It would have spared me much pain and misery as I was growing up.

Just the thought that my future self would smile at me and cheer me on, rather than berate me as miserable piece of shit who does not deserve love or even exist, would have made my life feel more worth living. Hell, even the idea that the future of me actually does exist at all would have been a blessing back then.

Just the thought that my future self would smile at me and cheer me on, rather than berate me as a miserable piece of shit who does not deserve love or even to exist, would have made my life feel more worth living. Hell, even the idea that the future version of me actually exists would have been a blessing back then.

That’s how much bleakness I experienced when I was a child. I was filled with self-doubt, self-loathing, and self-destructive thoughts during my identity crisis and constantly questioning my own worth of existence.

I constantly imagined the world swallowing me whole, believing that it’d be okay because everyone would be better off without me.

Actually, no, I was contemplating how much better off it would be if I could take away the parts of myself that didn’t conform to societal norms. I imagined how much

life would be easier for both myself and those around me, if I were not who I am. I believed the reason life was so hard to bear was because of my own identity.

I felt like a source of darkness, a mistake that would bring suffering to myself and everyone else—like a black hole swallowing up everyone and everything around me.

But, the truth is, as the song says, you only see the light shine in dark times.

And that light keeps carrying me through life, even during moments when I couldn’t bring myself to see it.

So, here I am today, smiling at my younger selves and cheering each of them on. I also know that all my future selves will do the same.

Tough times don’t last, but tough people do. I am now tough and brave enough to trust that light will shine upon me through both good and bad times.

Life is worth living, so I’m determined to live it fully, no matter what.

For the lettering, I use galaxy as the backdrop, with “dark times” depicted as stars that shine the light of hope. My favorite lyrics, “Tough times don’t last, tough people do,” convey the idea that this thought will help you see hope and continue persevering through dark times.

dark times by Ben Platt

13 is hard enough
So busy growing up
Now, you're sitting on a secret no one knows
You see him after school
He barely looks at you
'Cause you're both afraid that people might suppose

I'll see you in the mirror when you're older
For now, just keep your head up on your shoulders

Life goes too fast
Heart breaks in two
Tough times don't last
Tough people do
So, wipe those tears from your crying eyes
'Cause you only see the light shine in dark times

18, you fall in love
You think you found the one
And he calls you up to say there's someonе else
Feels like thе world's in flames
You give yourself the blame
'Cause the landing wasn't worth how hard you fell

I'll see you in the mirror when you're older
For now, just keep your head up on your shoulders

Life goes too fast
Heart breaks in two
Tough times don't last
Tough people do
So, wipe those tears from your crying eyes
'Cause you only see the light shine in dark times

Oh-oh, in dark times

Oh-oh-oh, in dark times

We're 27 now
Don't have it figured out
But, at least, no one can say we haven't grown
Scars turn to memories
They keep us company
But it's nice to know we're not in this alone

Life goes too fast
Heart breaks in two
Tough times don't last
Tough people do
So, wipe those tears from your crying eyes
'Cause you only see the light shine
You only see the light shine in dark times