The Story Behind our New Logo
North Brooklyn Community Boathouse has grown up over the last couple of years, tasked with figuring out revenue streams to stay afloat, creating fundraising strategies, getting proper email addresses, a new website, and recently…a logo.
Some of you may think… “don’t we have a logo?” But in the history of the organization, NBCB has never had a logo. In 2012, Brooklyn artist Duke Riley generously donated a custom illustration, but the image of two aristocrats sailing along the Newtown Creek was a design appropriate for t-shirts and marketing, not necessarily a logo.
So, in 2022, founding member Dewey Thompson started thinking about logo designs and how images and text should represent all the aspects of NBCB – community, advocacy, boating, and the environment.
A couple attempts were made by outside designers, but they lacked a familiarity with the organization, and their ideas didn’t quite hit the mark. To get a logo that truly reflected NBCB and its environment, it was decided that members and residents would be the best candidates for the job. So, an open call was made through a mass email and social media looking for designs.
The response from the public was astonishing. It was truly heartwarming to have received so much interest from members and non-members who simply wanted to give back and donate to NBCB’s cause. The submissions were comprehensive and impressive, some you may see on t-shirts or other boathouse merchandise in the future.
To be impartial, the submissions were anonymously presented to a logo committee that included NBCB’s co-presidents. A short-list was made and sent to board members for a final decision.
The process of choosing a logo turned out to be a good exercise, making the committee and board think about what NBCB is as an organization. Initially, the guidelines were to incorporate the Pulaski Bridge, or images that reflected Greenpoint and its surroundings. But everyone soon realized that was asking too much of the logo. Another realization was that designs featuring boats or paddles failed to represent the full spectrum of NBCB, its advocacy, education, community building, and ecology. So, a clean, text only logo was chosen. The board believed this simple design had the power to say a lot.
Done in all lower-case letters, NBCB’s new logo is playful, whimsical, and unassuming. The font reminded board members of work by E.E. Cummings and bell hooks. It’s also formal and professional, without being stuffy.
The logo was designed by Brooklyn-based graphic designer and artist Chris Smith (aka subtexture). You can see more of his work on his design website chrismithdesign.com.
A graduate from Pratt Institute in the ‘80s, he’s been a fixture in Greenpoint for over 25-years. Chris started out making band flyers and designed record covers for GG Allin, Johnny Thunders, Television, the Dickies, and countless bands you’ve never heard. Now he runs his own creative studio working with non-profits, vineyards, beverage brands, and small businesses. He also works as an art director at some of the biggest and/or most nimble ad agencies in New York.
Chris specializes in branding and promotions and has left his mark on the local scene, working closely with cherished Greenpoint establishments such as the Lobster Joint, The Mark Bar, Brooklyn Ale House, and Papacito’s. Notably, he recently crafted the logo for Anathea Simpkin’s election campaign. Additionally, he’s designed a line of Greenpoint-themed t-shirts inspired by classic punk rock icons.
Beyond his design work, Chris is deeply engaged in the arts community as both an artist and curator. For over two decades, he orchestrated art shows throughout Greenpoint, partnering with organizations like GoGreen Brooklyn, Greenpoint Gallery Night, and the Northside Alliance, as well as participating in events like Greenpoint Open Studios, and Bushwick Open Studios. His art has appeared on multiple television shows, including Saturday Night Live, Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, Law & Order SVU, and Elementary.
Chris fondly recalls the vibrant atmosphere of NBCB’s past parties, the BBQs, events, and live music that took place at our site before construction. He admits he hasn’t gotten on the water as much as he’d like.
I’m sure we can help him with that!
Published on May 3, 2024 by Admin.