Dylan Moore Design

A surprise to see the raccoon illustration I made for them on the back of Downtown Charcuterie's new van! Watch for it around town and maybe get yourself some charcuterie too. 🦝

What's the difference between an illustration and a logo?

If you want to understand the POWER of a logo to your business, you need to know how they differ.

Lots of small business owners have illustrations, but many don't have the power of a logo.

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Logos are:

- SCALABLE: A logo can be made very small without becoming unrecognizable or confusing. The eye actually loves to look at a logo because every part of it can be understood.

- MEMORABLE: Your logo is simple enough to be remembered and bring up all those good associations at a single glance.

- DESIGNED FOR MULTIPLE USES: Your logo works across EVERY context where you use it. Online, social media, dark backgrounds, light backgrounds, color, black and white. It's always representing you perfectly.

Illustrations, on the other hand, are:

- Pretty, and often charming! (We love illustrations here, even if they aren't the best choice for a logo.)
- Understood better by those IN the business than outside of it, because those outside of it can't really see/understand it very well
- Better used OUTSIDE of your core identity - for example, on a brochure, PDF or menu to add visual interest

It was an honor to work with Hazel and the team at Maine Outdoor School to update their logo and branding! 🌲🐻

As a kid, I grew up on a wooded swamp, where I spent hundreds, maybe even thousands of hours - observing the leopard frogs, spotted salamanders, insects, birds, white-tailed deer; building forts; and inventing whole worlds. 🌱

Maine Outdoor School helps kids to connect with nature in much the same way - observing, learning, playing and experimenting! - through their work connecting schools and land trusts.

If you'd like to work with me on a logo or branding project, send me a message or hit the Book Now button on my page to schedule a time to chat. 🐻

Which is your favorite, pigeon or raccoon?

Thanks to Downtown Charcuterie for this fun project! The shirts are available from them in kids and adult sizes.

A first attempt at painting fruit, with the kiwi 🥝

All business 💯

I've always loved systems, toolkits. If it's possible to make something into a set, if I can give someone everything they need to feel perfectly ready to take on a project, that's what I want to do. Neat, clean, perfect - branding projects scratch that itch for me :)

What do you think - did Louie do a good job posing for his portraits?

Sadly, my beloved Huion tablet bit the dust last week 😭

I decided to get a Wacom even though I had kept hearing about people's issues with their drivers, hardware, just about everything... but "I'm sure it'll be fine for me!"

Oh, friends, I am in Wacom hell...

Time to exchange this and get something that will work! Too bad, because I really liked the small size and battery-free pen.

I've been really lucky to work with a couple of innovative small companies that are changing how kids learn!

Leveled Up Learning was born from founder Gabe combining his love of tabletop gaming (think Dungeons & Dragons, but also many others!) with learning.

Dee (below) is a friendly guide to help kids and adults connect to the brand - as we call her, a "companion character."

Her job is to provide a friendly, welcoming face and guide kids and adults through Leveled Up's materials and offerings.

I created Dee's basic form as well as dozens of moods, poses and backgrounds to bring her to life across print, web, and social media.

I remember the first logo I submitted to a client, and how very, very bad it was.

I was in college, but I hadn't yet switched my major- I was still studying Environmental Ethics. I'd never studied graphic design.

I don't remember if the group reached out to me or the other way around, but they were a youth-led project being incubated by a nonprofit. I agreed to design their logo for free. They had nothing too specific in mind - they weren't sure what they wanted.

I submitted my first draft.

Despite me being a volunteer, they were... unsparing in their criticism 😂 (A lot of it still is memorable to this day. 🥲) And I can't say it wasn't deserved. I had created an atrocity.

However, I noticed that suddenly, they were full of specific, actionable instructions. They did know what they wanted! They just needed to see the exact opposite first. 😳

My second concept wasn't like what I could do today.... But it was serviceable, likable and appropriate, and they adopted it.

Sometimes when I take a risk with a client and present something I know they might not go for, and they *don't*, I'm right back there- thinking "I guess nothing's really changed!"

But taking risks is part of doing meaningful brand work... And usually both the client and I learn a lot about what we actually need to do for that company. (And then we do it.)

Even as I improve, I try to think of occasional failure as part of the process- even a part that can be useful in a very unique way.

Sharing this fun logo project from earlier this year, developed for Waukeag Neck Oyster Co.!

This young, local company grows and harvests oysters in the fresh, cold waters of Frenchman Bay. I was impressed by their commitment to local food and to the environmental health of Frenchman Bay, which directly impacts the oysters. ⚓

I love working for companies that are investing in growing strong local brands, as well as in Maine's people and environment.

If you'd like to book a consultation for a project large or small, hit the Book Now button on my page to set up a time to chat!

Häagen-Bot.

Thanks for joining me here 🌹 I'm a Maine logo designer, brand designer, and illustrator.

I'm also a disabled LGBTQ+ entrepreneur, and I built a top 0.1% Etsy shop, Boypilot Goods, while bedbound with a chronic illness. This was really what showed me how powerful entrepreneurship can be.

It allows us to set our own rules and create new ways to do things that actually work for us.

I believe every small business owner deserves a beautiful, professional brand image, and that's what I strive to do here.

Creating logos, visual brands, and printed products is my way of supporting you as you do what you love, grow your business confidently, and build a more beautiful world.

I'm currently booking clients - Hit the Book Now button to schedule a free chat to talk about your needs. Or just follow along here while I share the journey with you :)