History / Inspiration
The City of Oakland has used the profile of an oak tree as a symbol since at least the 1850's. These majestic and powerful trees are native to the coastal prairies that make up the east bay. The Oaklandish tree uses the familiar branches and very simply but profoundly adds roots that are ceaselessly growing deeper into the earth below Oakland. These roots are naturally occurring, they are nourished by life and time.
Though even those who've left, find on return that their roots are perfectly perserved. In this way the roots of people in Oakland mirror the oaks themselves. The tree with roots logo was the first design we printed on shirts, in the days when Oaklandish was a wild public art project. Then we started making stickers. Then the stickers started appearing all over Oakland. Then we began know the true size of local love in this East Bay. It's the feeling we work everyday to share, and spread.
About the designer
