Bangor ATA Black Belt Academy Patch/Logo Design Project

For this project, I designed a primary logo that could also serve as a patch for Bangor ATA Black Belt Academy, reflecting the discipline, confidence, and leadership at the heart of their school. The goal was to create something strong and timeless, yet flexible enough to work across uniforms, signage, merchandise, and digital platforms.

My inspiration came from the Maine state flag, which helped ground the design in the Academy’s local identity. I wanted the logo to feel connected to the Bangor community while still honoring the tradition of martial arts. I used the Songahm Star in place of the traditional star on the flag. The Songahm Star represents a student’s entire journey, symbolizing balance, growth, and life’s path. The name Songahm means “Pine Tree and Rock,” symbolizing unwavering loyalty, strength, and endurance, much like the mountains and the evergreen pine tree in the design. I added the ocean to symbolize life’s journey, and the powerful emotions of calmness and chaos.

I started with research and concept development, then refined the final direction based on client feedback. The result is a clean, bold logo that scales easily and maintains its impact in any format. This project was a great example of how thoughtful design can bring together place, purpose, and brand identity.