Designing the Planned Parenthood NorCal Pride Logo: Graphic Design in Santa Rosa, California

I had the absolute honor of creating the Planned Parenthood NorCal Pride logo this year. As a professional graphic designer based in Santa Rosa, California, and the founder of Cameron Graphic Design, this was a mind-blowing opportunity that came with a lot of responsibility. I feel so excited (still) and deeply honored to have contributed to an organization that educates, supports, and saves lives. Designing the Planned Parenthood NorCal Pride logo was about representing a community I care about, supporting a cause I believe in, and bringing historical, intentional design into a space that deserves the utmost respect and celebration.

When I was first approached with this project, I jumped at the opportunity. When asked if I was interested in this project I answered "Big time!!" (And then had to get up and run around because I was so excited.)

I started the process like I start all my logo processes: at my desk, sketching with my Apple Pen and a fresh Procreate artboard on my iPad. I always hand-draw initial ideas to play around with symbols and layout… this practice connects me to the purpose and vibe behind each project. I always dive deeper during this process, and I got to researching Planned Parenthood, read up on the origins of Pride, revisited stories of protest and resilience, and absorbed the past and current symbolism. As a graphic designer, representing both Planned Parenthood and the LGBTQ+ family demanded care and accuracy.

The process felt heavy and joyful all at once. I rereading about the bar, the brick, the megaphones, the heels, and the symbolism behind each flag rendition. It’s impossible for me to understand the hatred in the stories, and I wish I could say we’ve moved beyond it in 2025, but we haven’t. 

Throughout the design process, I wrestled with a rollercoaster of emotion, I felt a mix of pride, sadness, gratitude, inspiration, and mental exhaustion. But above all, I felt honored to artistically represent two causes I support wholeheartedly. Especially in a year that has felt bleak, this project was important. I got wrapped in the love, pride, inspiration, acceptance, and spark of energy Pride manifests.

To my delight, the project’s scope evolved over time. Initially limited in color choices, I was eventually granted the creative freedom to incorporate more colors and wasted no time including, of course, the rainbow alongside the Planned Parenthood signature colors. Their branding guide refers to their pink color as "Action Pink" and I used a lighter shade of "Care Blue." These names resonated deeply with me. Using "Action Pink" for the upside-down triangle in the design felt particularly significant.

If you’re unfamiliar with the pink triangle’s history, here’s a brief explanation: The pink triangle was originally used in Nazi Germany as a badge in concentration camps to identify gay men. In the 1970's, it was reclaimed as a symbol of protest and pride by the LGBTQ+ community. Today, it’s widely recognized as a symbol of queer liberation and LGBTQ+ pride. So it felt fitting to use in 2025 with the big ol' "PRIDE" text over it.

Seeing the finished logo in use on instagram and at events has been a source of great appreciation and joy for me. Each sighting reminds me why I do what I do. My mission as a graphic designer is to use my skills to bring more love into the world, support organizations that care for people, and make a difference.

Cameron Graphic Design is proud to be based in Santa Rosa, California, and to serve causes that matter internationally. Designing the Planned Parenthood NorCal Pride logo was an absolute privilege. Thank you <3