Daniel Parker, a candidate for Arkansas State Representative, asked us to create a fun sub-logo for his merchandise and social media. Although he already had a professional logo, which we helped refine, our goal was to design something with more personality. Daniel suggested incorporating his distinctive “swooshy” hair and beard but was open to any ideas that would appeal to a younger audience and showcase his personable, fun side.

The twist? Daniel Parker is married to our esteemed former college Graphic Design professor, who recommended us for the project. Naturally, we didn’t panic or spend hours reviewing our old class notes on logo design (taught by her) at all. No biggie.

As with most of our logo projects, we started by creating three variants: one closely matching the client’s suggestion, one incorporating a few variations on the client’s idea, and one completely out-of-the-box design that still meets the overall goal. Daniel wanted his logo to reflect his approachable personality, so we kept this in mind as we began our work.

We conducted extensive research on trendy logos and brands targeting millennials and older Gen Z. Additionally, we analyzed the top brands in Arkansas appealing to these age groups to understand their branding strategies.

After presenting three distinct logo concepts, we settled on a vintage-inspired rubber hose-style illustration of Daniel. This design is both trendy and nostalgic, potentially appealing to older voters as well.

While we don’t have final results yet, the increasing number of bumper stickers spotted in the community suggests that Daniel’s campaign is gaining traction. Check back in November to see if we have a new Arkansas State Representative. Fingers and toes crossed!

Additionally, Professor Parker said we passed with an A+.