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When a company trumpets its simple philosophy of being a good citizen, you can’t help but want to know more. More about its manufacturing processes, its employment practices, its impact on the community and in my case, more about its branding and logo design. Luckily ducduc™ Director of Communications, David Harris, made himself available to tell us more.

ducduc is that good citizen. Based in NYC, ducduc produces modern children’s furniture and textiles via very non-traditional methods. The ‘mother mallard’ logo may be a testament to the company’s dedication to keeping all of their ideological ducks in a row. ducduc owns its own New England manufacturing outfit, they ensure “hardwoods are sustainably harvested from regional forests so as to minimize our carbon footprint”, and the ducduc factory” employs a lean manufacturing system that dramatically reduces energy requirements and waste.”

So how does a good citizen go about designing a mark that communicates its dedication to the environment, support of “little league teams and multiple charities” and commitment to social justice? David Harris explains:

Please explain the genesis of the ducduc logo. We wanted an iconic logo that kids and adults would like.

What design team (professional or otherwise) completed the final look of logo? Our chief creative officer Brady Wilcox.

With the name ducduc, the use of the duck cutout is self-explanatory. But how did the composition of the image come about? The logo was inspired by Paul Rand’s graphic designs and logos as well as Japanese wood block prints.

Whenever I say “ducduc”, my preschooler inevitably responds “Goose”. Do I have the pronunciation correct? Yes!

As an environmentally conscious company, what sustainability concepts went into the logo design? Our environmentally conscious and green manufacturing processes are best exemplified in our restored (there are over 600 new windows!) and renovated 1892 factory in Connecticut. That’s where we practice manufacturing with minimal waste and reduced energy, which maintains a low carbon footprint. We use sustainable, locally sourced hardwoods, and our finishes are non-toxic and Hazardous Air Pollutant (HAPS) free. We do not use MDF or particleboard in any of our products. The duc stands (or swims!) for more than just good design.

In some of your online ‘rooms’ I noticed the ducduc logo on pillows. Has the ducduc logo been used in any other non-traditional manner? Yes, we do custom prints with it all the time, for cribs and pillows. And we do t-shirts as well that we are going to start selling on our website because people really love the logo! We have lots of discussions at ducduc, but we never question the duc! —

The number of press mentions ducduc has received and their various awards – including Interior Design magazine’s ‘Best of Year Merit’ – belie the company’s humble stature as a fair enterprise with a fair outlook and a fairly novel concept (custom finishing, “Just ask”) that just happens to produce exceptional furniture and textiles. ducduc wants to be your neighborhood mom and pop furniture shop – the one that’s environmentally smart, is against toxins, is loyal to its customers and employees and always has an Alex’s Lemonade Stand out front.

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