Darajat: A Logo That Climbs
When Darajat first came to me, they had an ambitious request: a logo that visually captured elevation, movement, and growth, reflecting both academic excellence and spiritual ascension.
In particular something that felt like steps. And it should “feel like it’s moving.”
After several explorations, the solution emerged in Kufic calligraphy, a style known for its structured elegance. We crafted a design where the Arabic letters subtly form steps, visually reinforcing Darajat’s name (which means “degrees” or “levels”).
But movement is more than steps—it’s ambition, it’s momentum, it’s a journey.
To embody this movement, I extended the arm of the “r” to connect with the dot of the “j”, symbolizing a hand reaching upward—toward knowledge, toward growth, toward something greater.
The typical sharp 90º angles of the Kufic letters were then refined to blend smoothly with the English text, creating a dynamic yet harmonious composition.
Just compare the top of the Arabic mark with the “t” besides it … a perfect alignment in perfect harmony!
After refining the shape and creating several variations of the Kufic logomark, something beautiful appeared: one of them contained an abstract form of a person sitting down on their knees, raising their hands in du’a, as we do after salat. When the client noticed it, she knew that this was the perfect version!
To complete the brand identity, we designed a circular monogram based off the capital “D”, perfect for use in chat icons and as a favicon that appears in browser tabs for whenever they are ready to launch their website. (It even looks great on hats!) This emblem was carefully crafted to hint at the Arabic letters in Darajat (د، ر، ج، ا، ت)—a subtle nod to the word’s deep Arabic roots.
What started as a simple logo request turned into something much deeper: a visual journey of growth, faith, and progress.
We were asked to give it subdued, earth-like tones so we made several variations of browns, oranges, greens, tans, burgundy and blues until the client settled on these hues of blue.
Seamless Communication with a Custom Letterhead
Beyond the logo, I also created a Google Docs letterhead template that allows their team to effortlessly create professional letters and proposals in a shared space, eliminating the hassle of formatting inconsistencies across devices and apps. Now, every document they produce is consistent, branded, and ready to share—whether for internal communication or external collaborations.
Sufuuf al-Khayr:
Sufuuf Al-Khayr offers hifz and Arabic tutoring for kids.
For Sufuuf al-Khayr, clarity, legibility, and memorability were key. With longer Arabic names, recognition is crucial—especially with multiple ways to transliterate them.
We balanced clean typography with just enough distinctiveness to make the name unforgettable.
The italic “f”s add a slight dynamic touch without compromising readability or professionalism.
Originally, the client considered a Lebanese cedar tree, but as we explored ideas, the “S” and “K” naturally lent themselves to a monogram—one that felt both timeless and distinctly recognizable.
The result? A circular emblem that works beautifully as a favicon, profile image, or social media icon.
