North Brooklyn Community Boathouse Logo

The North Brooklyn Community Boathouse is a great local group in Greenpoint, Brooklyn. I recently designed the new logo for them, here’s the story of how it evolved:

“The North Brooklyn Community Boathouse (NBCB) has evolved significantly, securing revenue streams, fundraising, updating its website, and, most recently – creating a logo. While many assumed NBCB had a logo, it never did. In 2012, artist Duke Riley donated an illustration of aristocrats sailing on Newtown Creek, but it was more of a design for t-shirts than an official logo.

In 2022, founding member Dewey Thompson initiated the logo design process, aiming to capture NBCB’s identity—community, advocacy, boating, and the environment. Outside designers struggled to align with the organization’s spirit, so an open call was made to members and residents. The response was overwhelming, with impressive submissions reflecting strong community engagement.

To ensure fairness, a logo committee, including NBCB’s co-presidents, reviewed anonymous submissions and presented a shortlist to the board. The process helped define NBCB’s identity. While initial guidelines suggested incorporating the Pulaski Bridge or local imagery, it became clear that simplicity was key. Logos featuring boats or paddles felt limiting, as NBCB’s mission extends beyond boating to advocacy, education, and ecology.

Ultimately, a clean, text-based logo was chosen. Written in all lowercase letters, the design is playful yet professional, evoking the style of E.E. Cummings and bell hooks. It reflects NBCB’s approachable and community-driven ethos while maintaining a formal yet unassuming presence.