Graphic Designer / Illustrator Needed – Create Logo & Art Direction

I plan to kick off a cartoon and illustration project inspired by Belltown, Seattle — its grit, humor, history, nightlife, and contradictions. I’m looking for a graphic designer/illustrator to create the logo (wordmark) and visual style that can be used to expand into different characters & cartoons. Graphics will primarily be used for merch. This is not a corporate branding project.

Creative Direction (High-Level)

• Cartoonish but gritty
• Messy in a confident way
• Inspired by graffiti, street art, underground comics, alt-weekly illustrations
• Strong point of view is more important than technical polish

Deliverables

• Primary logo (wordmark)
• 1–2 alternate logo treatments (e.g. simplified, black & white, sketchy)
• A visual direction that can scale into cartoons, characters, merch, posters, etc.

What We’re Looking For

• Strong illustration skills
• Comfort with expressive, imperfect, hand-drawn styles
• Experience with street-inspired, cartoon, or editorial illustration is a plus
• Ability to translate a sense of place into visual work

What Success Looks Like

• The logo feels unmistakably tied to Belltown
• It makes people laugh, smirk, or feel seen
• It doesn’t feel generic or overworked
• It looks better with wear, repetition, and time

To apply, please include

• Portfolio (especially illustration, cartoon, or street-inspired work)
• A short note on why this project interests you
• Any relevant past work that shows humor, grit, or strong point of view