Handwritten Logos Found in New York City

[hlfnyc]

Handwritten Logos have become a trend recently as well as hand lettered type itself. We can see that letter pressed, mixed hand lettered and block type posters from the Victorian style has returned, the idea of hand making design has come bak to bring a kind of DIY and homemade glamour back into the world. These logos have redefined a new movement in type and I do not see the trend leaving for a few years to come. Since like all trends there are people who pioneer the movement and creates the interest for all and them we follow. I was interested in joining a letterpress class in the city, we took a hand lettering workshop at school, and so much more. The interesting for hand lettering will not leave us. Hand lettering also comes in man forms not just script but a we have seen from this blog but you can even make bubble letters from graffiti. The idea of hand lettering that makes any real designer feel the tingly excited feeling when we see a new letter that we love, is because we are fascinated by its structure and how it was made. A majority of the logos I have found were script-like logos but that is because that is currently what the public asks for and companies want to be current. While also maybe that is what I have trained my eye to see and like. Perhaps script and graffiti is what I train my eye to recognize as hand lettering since I see the skill in trying to make the perfect letter with a calligraphic pen or a chiseled oil-based Fat Sharpie. The project definitely opened my eyes to how many people and brands are using type trends in their designs today by just using hand lettered type. It was fun to be in a neighborhood and find the different logos and just blog about whether how I thought about them. The shapes of the letters, the colors, and whether the brand works itself is what I had fun critiquing in each post. I will probably keep on doing a blog such as this with typographical approach but a different topic such as Jeffrey's well worn type. I love finding stickers, graffiti, scripts, calligraffiti, even a typeface that uses any hand lettering elements. I hope to create a blog that focuses on an area like that after this blog.

[hlfnyc]

RRL & Co. Furnishings found in Soho.

Ralph Lauren is one of the biggest American clothing/lifestyle brands in the world. I would expect no less from their logos for their companies especially shops found in Soho. The type mimics an older type that incorporates different typefaces and even sans serifs to create a logo. Some are serifs typefaces with very decisive ornate serifs while still blending all the design elements in the large flag/ logo/ store sign. The backwards "R" with the "L" is a great logo that incorporates a round serif that looks work like the rest of the flag. Then the second "RRL" in ornate serifs are very interesting. The little ear at the stem of the "R" and "L" as well as the decorative ampersand and "C" are very cute little details that are very Ralph Lauren style. His company has a distinguied reputation for great details in his design so like his clothes his chose for design in his branding is the same. The "3" is also quite beautiful, it's the kind of type you only see from much older types.

[hlfnyc]

Chill Berry Frozen Yogurt found in Harlem. 

I really love this bubbly, whimsical lettering. The color choice is also a really great ida although the logo reminds me more of a candy shop versus a store that sells frozen yogurt. Also although out of context, the right side "yogurt" has a swirl that reminds me of a cupcake with Ray-Ban looking glasses that really take away from the lovely typography. THe type reminds me of the kind of handlettering you might find in San Francisco. Typographers from the type found Lost Type created a typeface called Missin Script that reminds me of the script in this typeface. Although very bold and has good contrast without looking too modern it created a warm yet bubbly feel for the shop.

[hlfnyc]

Selima Optique found in SoHo. 

The thicks and thins of this handwritten logo is interesting. I presume the designer used Adobe Illustrator and just played around with different brushes. The majority of the logo has a very round edge to each character except on the stem of the "i". The top of the stem has very sharp points which makes me wonder about the consistency but it was definitely a decision the designer must have played around with. I think it's an interesting usage of shapes for the "M" that I love so much! The cross in the middle of "M' is a very fun design element. It's quite a fun logo that you have to look a little closer to get the big picture!

[hlfnyc]

Haven's Kitchen found in Chelsea.

This was the first handwritten logo that only uses the handwritten part as a symbol instead of writing out the entire name of the company as a logo. The logo combines the beginning of each word in the logo "H" and "K" and makes the logo have a home-like, comfy with the decorative swirls even though the name of the company is written in a sans serif around the logo. It's a simple logo but it works since the company has a very modern, simple look in the store with wood and white walls. Yet the logo still remains fun because of the decorative design choices which also reflect that Haven's Kitchen teachers classes and has to show that they are a fun company to learn and shop from. 

[hlfnyc]

Patty Tobin found in Chelsea. 

I am not too crazy about this logo since it is almost unreadable unless you are 10 feet away from the signs in front of the store. But I am very interested the shapes of the characters of this logo. It make me wonder whether or not it is the owner Patty Tobin's actual handwritten signature. The shape of the "P" is also very prominent in this design. It creates its own shape and even creates a very large counter where there usually is just a stem of the "P." The right axis of the characters also makes me wonder about the "P" since it is written with such a big loop at the side is the writer of the signature a right handed person or left handed person? The mysteries of handwritten things will forever interest me

[hlfnyc]

Crema found in Chelsea.

I was really, really fond of this logo when I first saw it. I immediately loved the pairing of sans serif with the handlettered "M". Although I am not too happy about some of the execution of this logo I still think it is a great idea! The "M"  is very flirty and it brings a lightness and joy to the logo. Also the choice of using the "M" as the character that would be handlettered is an interesting choice. The designer could have used the "C" or "R" but chose to use the unconventional "M". Perhaps I am drawn to when designers use handlettered "N" or "M" in a logo because my name begins with a "N" and I am consistently writing the letter in script and have tried to find interesting variations. Therefore, I was extremely surprised and elated to see a script "M" in the middle of a logo when the designer could have decided to use the "C" or "R" which I think make have been more conventional. Maybe they decided to use the "M" since it is a Mexican restaurant.

[hlfnyc]

Kenneth Cole found in the Flatiron District.

I wanted/needed to take a break from scripts. Finally, I get to show a non-cursive, printed logo. This logo gives the brand a personal touch by (hopefully) using Kenneth Cole's handwriting as their logo since every person's handwriting is as unique as the person. The fluidity between each character is what really draws me into this logo. It is cohesive even if there are variations in the handwriting. The brand uses two different variations of "E"s in the logo. One is a cursive, capital "E" and the other is a Roman, capital "E."

[hlfnyc]

DQM (Dave’s Quality Meat) found in the SoHo.

Vans is currently co-running a shop in SoHo alongside Dave's Quality Meat (DQM). DQM is a streetwear brand that runs a shop in the East Village and sells awesome graphic tees and  etcetera. Just like other streetwear brands they use their brand name in different typefaces and type treatments to advertise their brand on anything. This new logo from DQM in this script is really quite beautiful. It shows how scripts and minimalist design has come into play even in fashion design for the urban youth. 

The "D" in particular is what I love the most. It's a great script "D" that is elegantly drawn. The swirls and the stem are great design elements. Even the slant that the logo is drawn on is great call made by the designer. The "q" and "m" are not expressive but are still very elegant. The curves in the "q" and "m" under the stems are interesting design elements but are still quite simple characters. 

[hlfnyc]

TMF Electricity Truck from Brooklyn found in the LES (Lower East Side).

This is the first handwritten logo that I have found that is not a script. I was so excited when I found this truck just parked in the LES. The acronym "TMF" is written in typical graffiti-esque lettering. The logo is not classy, edgy but it is definitely interesting. The fact the business chose to use this lettering sends a message to their clients. Businesses usually want to be seen as reliable and very appropriate. Graffiti represents a free culture. To many graffiti represents vandalism and the destruction of order therefore this usage of this kind of typography on a logo is highly peculiar. 

All the characters in the acronym are uppercase and have exaggerated curves and lines. It's a sans serif to say the least but the lettering is all done freestyle with the idea of legibility in mind to be read from a mile away. The "M" has exaggerated angles from the baseline to the middle of the character. The "F" stem is on a curve as well as well as the "T." The typography shows the evolution of our society in its acceptance of graffiti as an art form and not just a form of vandalization. 

[hlfnyc]

Bond No. 9 found on Bond Street in SoHo.

I guess I either have a knack for finding script handwritten logos or they are just currently very popular. This high contrast script flows very fluidly. The "d" is particularly interesting since it's stem does not reach the baseline. It looks like the "d" from the typeface Bloomingdale's uses in its logo. The logo looks very flamboyant and classy which is the look I believe the company is trying to convey. 

[hlfnyc]

Alan Moss found in the Greenwich Village.

From across the street I could not read this logo. It was not until finally loading up the picture into photoshop to blow it up I 

The logo is a script typeface. It has a great verticality especially in the "A" and "L". The "A" is very unique in that it makes sure that it links to the lowercase "L" even though most script "A"s do not usually have a connector. Although I was not too fond of the lowercase "a" and "n" in this logo since I could barely read it from 100 feet away it is still quite pretty. The "M", I believe is to die for. The flamboyancy of the "M' is awesome. As a person who's name begins with a "N" the initial loop in the "M" is something that I've adopted into my own handwriting. 

[hlfnyc]

JoJu found in Elmhurst, New York

This awesome Vietnamese sandwich shop located in the heart of the second Chinatown of Queens, New York is a definite go to joint. I love the handwritten logo with a script touch. The "J's are quite interesting since they remind me of "T's from when I used to practice my script in the 3rd grade. I also wonder why the designer of their logo chose to use angular strokes for the "o" and then very round strokes for the "u". Other than that I love this logo since it is so cute and incorporates the look of the actual sandwich you could enjoy in this small but awesome shop!

[hlfnyc]

Madewell found on 5th Ave and 17th St.

How could I overlook one of my favorite apparel brands? While visiting the store I caught a pic of their gift card showcasing their logo. The wonderful script is a very warm solution to brand than is owned by the traditional, sometimes generic J. Crew. 

This is another logo that does not use a baseline to standardize their logo but it still seems to work. The combination of uppercase and lowercase script letters is an interesting combination since you would neve usually see a person write a capital script "E" while writing. Although it does give the logo a personal touch that the designer obviously carefully thought out. The thick stroke of the logo and significantly thicker stroke on the "M' helps generate a presence for the brand. It can never get too think and lost on a page.I also love the color combo. I am guilty for buying anything with a navy blue and a white or creme color. Too many sweaters and t-shirts, bags, shoes, and etc. It's also such a great brand since J.Crew gives 15% off to any student.

[hlfnyc]

Artsee Eyewear found in SoHo.

Luckily, I stumbled upon this really cute hand-drawn logo in the Soho area. I really liked how it combined a handwritten script with a lot of personality in it plus a san serif. I believe the sans serif is Akzidenz Grotesk. The two most interesting parts about the script is its unclosed "a" and its lack of attention to a solid baseline. All the letters seem to have a different baseline giving the script a lot of freedom to just be fun and float in mid-air. Also the trendy color blocking in the sign is a great touch! :D Good luck Artsee Eyewear! :D