"BBQ with REAL People" is a Discord server that’s more than just a chat group — it’s a collection of lifelong friends who’ve been together since elementary school. Over the years, the group has bonded over shared interests, inside jokes, and good times around the grill. As part of the community's ongoing tradition, I was tasked with creating a logo that would represent our collective identity and be suitable for merchandise like shirts and stickers.

The challenge was designing a logo that would work across multiple formats (digital, print, and merchandise) while capturing the essence of the group. It needed to be something that could stand out in both small and large sizes, while still feeling personal and fun. Since the group has a lot of sentimental value, the logo had to evoke a sense of nostalgia and togetherness.

I used Adobe Illustrator to create vector-based elements, ensuring scalability for various print materials, and Photoshop for refining textures and color contrasts. After brainstorming different concepts that reflected the group’s inside jokes and shared memories, I focused on a design that included bold typography, a playful color scheme, and elements like flames or grill motifs to subtly reference the BBQ theme.

I also worked closely with the group to gather feedback and iterate on the logo’s style, making sure it represented the community’s vibe: friendly, informal, and welcoming.

I used Adobe Illustrator to create vector-based elements, ensuring scalability for various print materials, and Photoshop for refining textures and color contrasts. After brainstorming different concepts that reflected the group’s inside jokes and shared memories, I focused on a design that included bold typography, a playful color scheme, and elements like flames or grill motifs to subtly reference the BBQ theme.

I also worked closely with the group to gather feedback and iterate on the logo’s style, making sure it represented the community’s vibe: friendly, informal, and welcoming.

The final design features a bold, graphic style with a simple yet effective color palette. The logo incorporates subtle nods to BBQ (flames, grills) while keeping the design minimal enough for easy use across different media. It’s now been successfully printed on shirts and stickers, and the community has embraced it as a symbol of our long-standing friendships.

The logo has become a key part of the community’s identity. It’s used on everything from merchandise to promotional materials for events, and the feedback from the group has been overwhelmingly positive. It was great to create something that represented both our online community and our shared history — and it's been a fun way to bring our virtual group into the real world.