Union Custom House is a logo created by Aaron James Draplin, founder of the Portland, Oregon-based Draplin Design Co. The mark appears in published roundups of Draplin’s brand identity work, listed alongside other DDC projects such as Union Binding Co., Nike, and Suburban Blend.[1][2]
Design and History
Draplin established Draplin Design Co. in the fall of 2004, after earlier work in the snowboard industry for brands including Forum, Ride, Coal, and Union.[3][4] The Union Custom House logo is documented as part of Draplin’s portfolio of identity work, though no official source provides a precise creation date, client description, or design rationale for the mark.[1]
Draplin’s design approach is characterized by a preference for vintage-inspired, functional aesthetics. In interviews, he has described seeking inspiration from flea markets, antique malls, and old artifacts, and has expressed a deliberate avoidance of trend-driven design.[1] This working-class, utilitarian sensibility is visible across his logo portfolio, which includes work for Union Binding Co., Coal Headwear, and other clients.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
No official or primary source documents specific symbolic meaning, color choices, or typography for the Union Custom House logo. Published references to the mark appear only as part of broader showcases of Draplin’s identity work, without individual commentary on its design intent.[1][2]
Draplin has, however, described his general logo philosophy in public talks and tutorials, emphasizing the importance of geometric structure, limited color palettes, and typography that serves the function of the mark.[6] These principles are consistent with the broader body of work in which the Union Custom House logo appears, though specific claims about this particular mark cannot be verified from available sources.
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