Highly individual
One way to create a very individual logo is through a handwritten style. It feels personal and approachable, as handwriting is often associated with a signature—making it feel authentic and binding.
Even without these associative aspects, handwritten styles are highly recommended for logos. They appear less commercial and softer than constructed, geometric styles.
Of course, there are some rules to consider for this style. First, it works much better with short names rather than long strings of letters. A good example is the name Horizone—still manageable in a handwritten style. The second name, Sey Sailors, shows the challenge we faced in trying to maintain the handwritten aesthetic.
Short names like Zoe, Sisu, yas, or Ble are ideal for a handwritten logo style.
Since a yacht’s name often includes a home port, this can be a welcome addition to the design. A soft, personal script can be paired with a clean, minimalist style for balance.
When it comes to legibility, handwritten styles can be tricky. A classic sans-serif font (for single words) is always the easiest to read and recognize. So, we ensure our handwritten logos are not only distinctive and personal but also legible. To maximize readability, line widths should not vary too drastically. While dramatic line contrasts can work as an effect, they should be used sparingly to avoid looking cluttered.
Interestingly, some of our clients have a different perspective on legibility. For the owners of Moon, Moxi, and Zoom, readability wasn’t a priority at all. After all, a logo is always a matter of personal preference.
I probably don’t need to mention that generic fonts like Brush Script or Lobster don’t offer true uniqueness or recognizability.
Among my own logos, the handwritten ones are my favorites—a matter of taste and personal style. My own boats, Rivercafe and Oysterbar, were initially hand-drawn. However, due to their long names, the number of letters simply exceeded what worked for a hand-drawn script.
If you’re interested in hand-drawn logos, get in touch with me.
Rivercafe looks a bit like handwritten, but it’s a generic typeface with a bit extra work, to make it unique.
Thanks for your attention. Let me know what you think about the handwritten style and if you’re interested in yacht logos, get in touch with me.
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