I was commissioned by a band to design a distinctive logo that would serve as the cornerstone of their branding across all merchandise. The goal was to create a visual identity that felt mellow and laid-back, while still standing out. Through close collaboration, I delivered a design that captured the essence of their sound and style.

As a soft rock band, it was important that their branding conveyed a sense of musical identity and appeal to anyone who might come across it on their merchandise. After giving them multiple designs, I was able to narrow it down to the final design.

Creative Direction

The band came to me with a general idea and a few scattered concepts, but no clear visual identity. Our collaboration began with open dialogue, where they shared their stylistic inspirations, the emotional tone they wanted to convey, and some early ideas that included vector illustrations of their instruments and musical equipment. I translated those conversations into a series of logo drafts that spanned a spectrum, going from literal and illustrative to conceptual and symbolic.

Over time, we refined the direction toward something more original, an emblem that captured the essence of their name while feeling organic and grounded

Design Execution

The final logo features subtle, intentional details that elevate the design. A circular motif surrounds the central graphic, with the stroke thinning on one side to mimic the look of an eclipse, a nod to the band’s name and aesthetic.

One of the biggest creative challenges was typography. The band wanted a typeface that was both legible and evocative, something that subtly resembled roots stretching beneath a tree. To meet that vision, I crafted a custom font from scratch. This not only ensured complete originality but also allowed me to harmonize the type design with the organic qualities of the rest of the logo.

Results

Once the logo was approved, I worked directly with their merchandise retailer to create print-ready layouts for t-shirts, posters, and other branded items. I also consulted on placement and color options to ensure the visual impact translated well across formats. These products were later sold at their live shows and through their online store, helping the band build a strong and cohesive brand presence.

This project highlights the power of deep collaboration, original typography, and visual storytelling. Helping the band shape their identity from the ground up was not just creatively fulfilling, but a perfect blend of design thinking while considering music-inspired expression.

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