Breeze Masthead Logotype

Let’s escape for a moment.

The goal of this self-initiated project was to design a logotype that takes you on a trip. I wanted letterforms that reflect flow and movement while paying tribute to the iconic type styles found on vintage Hawaiian ephemera.

From my island experiences, the warm tropical tradewinds greet you like a pre-Covid hug when you arrive, and these embracing breezes are the first indication of a meditative experience to follow.

“Breeze” seemed like a fitting title to work with.

Hawaii certainly isn’t the only tropical destination. Sun and sand meet at locations all over the world. Breeze is about exploring all of the lush landscapes that our planet has to offer.

A magazine For Those Who Travel Tropical.

Ride those curves.

I wanted to reference the concave strokes commonly found in typefaces advertising island pop culture, so each stem was formed by complementary curves. These curves also speak to the shape and flexibility of bamboo, an icon of the tropics.

You’ll also notice that horizontal strokes (arms and legs) flare out and widen as they extend - another nod to the playful letterforms found in my source materials.

While many retro typefaces possess a whimsical, hand-drawn feel, I wanted to establish some structure and continuity to keep the letterforms modern. To this end, a consistent baseline and cap-height were maintained.

My base stems were repeated and applied to each letter as seen in the graphic below:

Feel that ocean air.

Let’s add some flair. To convey movement and energy, a few details were added. A single serif was attached at the top of each stem to convey that fresh-off-the-catamaran look.

Notches were carved out mid-stroke to enhance the windswept appearance - this has the added bonus of creating some dimension and depth as well.

And that slant? It’s been scientifically calibrated to match the angle at which the average human head is held when staring at a newsstand.

Naw. Just kidding.