The BAREmoji Idea? 

In full transparency, I initially desired to create a successful business to help financially liberate my family.  I'm happily married.  I have two teens from a previous relationship, and basically, was tired of ups and downs of selling art for a living.  I was clear that I didn't want to do any old thing for money, but rather something I was proud and passionate about.  There had to be something I could create where people felt they were receiving something awesome for their hard earned money, and enthusiastically be a part of whatever I eventually came up with.

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Following that as a starting point, I liked the idea of apparel, and brainstormed an art/fashion concept.. I didn't want to put pressure on myself of what it "must be" or simply what will "make money".  I wanted it to naturally flow. One day, I was picturing "marketable cuteness" and a bear character concept popped in mind.  So, I drew up the template that's now BAREmoji and thought, okay, now what? Then another idea came to me.

 

What if I create bear emojis people can wear? More complex than the little yellow faces we send to each other on our phones! They'd wear outfits and accessories and represent likes, activities, moods, aspirations, sports and styles. Ideas kept expanding to perhaps cultures, astrological signs, celebrities, iconic characters from music, film and TV...  It basically spiraled into a limitless concept.  I've been asked can I make a pirate! Can I make a roller skater! They're all coming!

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As far as the name and spelling. Initially all the bears didn't have much on (mostly bare, I thought).  I also wanted the name to be original.  Plus, I also liked the meaning of bare as in raw, revealing, unrestricted expression.  With that (+ about 400 hours of drawings), BAREmoji was borne. 

 

The Logo

I'm exceptionally pleased with how it turned out.  Getting the primary version (the square box version) letters to effortlessly overlap was an interesting journey of creating and putting together a puzzle...