A couple months ago Taffy Dugan, a friend who is starting a business as a wedding officiant, reached out to me and asked if I could make her a handfasting logo. A few weeks ago I was feeling up to it, so I created that logo for her.

Taffy wanted a logo that was simplified and lacked any indication of gender or ethnicity, so it would be fully inclusive. I started from a photo Taffy provided to create the initial sketch, which I altered for clarity as I simplified it down as much as possible. Each color and layer is an adjustment and simplification of the prior, until I arrived at something that could be given the line width variation treatment without losing clarity of the subject.

Initially I tried for a knot under the hands, but it did not create a clear image. I also initially kept the dangling ribbons from the handfasting photo, but it made the image look incomplete. By bringing the ribbons into a circle, the logo could stand on its own without a frame. It also created an infinity loop, loosely wrapped around the softly clasped hands, indicating the infinite possibilities of marriage union when such is undertaken willingly and happily.

Taffy Dugan is based in Sonoma County, California, USA, and her website is http://TaffyDugan.com/

I recorded creating the logo in Krita, and I also saved images of each version in turn.

All that was left after achieving the above image was the redo the color scheme Taffy liked, so it was lighter in tone.

I also created Taffy Dugan’s handfasting business card design.

Business Card Reads:

Wedding and Handfasting Officiant
Stephanie “Taffy” Dugan, EPs
Ceremonies crafted with warmth and grace
http://TaffyDugan.com
Officiant@TaffyDugan.com
408-768-8186