The Department 86 Handmade logo was designed as a commentary on the surge of handmade marketplaces that emerged in the 2000s. The concept playfully imagines a large corporation creating a “handmade department”—a creative division that would inevitably be 86’d (a term meaning to discard or eliminate).
The clean, minimalist typography ensures versatility, while the tab-like design element references corporate filing systems, subtly reinforcing the idea of a temporary, bureaucratic approach to creativity. The number 86 is intentionally used to symbolize the idea of something being phased out, adding a layer of wit to the branding.
This logo was crafted to be adaptable across various design applications, allowing it to complement a wide range of artistic styles without overpowering them. The balance between corporate precision and artistic rebellion makes it a unique take on branding for the handmade space.
