Character and identity for DARHO, artist
Meerkat
A character made of love
Meerkat was born as part of the visual identity built for DARHO, a Colombian artist, with the goal of creating an iconic, recognizable character that could become an extension of the artist's personality, music and brand universe. The choice of a meerkat comes from the artist's personal connection with this animal and, above all, from a strong bond with family. From there, love became the central concept of the project and the common thread of the whole visual system.
Read the full concept
The character was conceived as DARHO's representation inside an illustrated universe: a figure able to accompany music releases, content and merchandise, much like classic characters outgrew their original format to become recognizable symbols on their own. Its art direction draws on American animation from the early decades of the 20th century, reinterpreting its proportions, gestures and visual language from a contemporary perspective. References such as the earliest versions of Mickey Mouse, and the revival of this aesthetic through projects like Cuphead, were key to defining its graphic personality.
The project also includes DARHO's identity, through graffiti-inspired lettering and different brand compositions. In the main version, Meerkat and the DARHO name come together to subtly form the silhouette of a heart, visually summing up the concept the whole project started from: love.
From this system, Meerkat has been adapted to the artist's different styles, formats and needs, showing that the character can evolve without losing its identity and becoming a recognizable element of DARHO's visual universe. The result is an identity that connects music, illustration and branding around a single concept, turning a character into a communication tool that represents the artist beyond a logo.
Palette
- #000000
- #FFFFFF
- #DB6A88
- #FBD7B8
- #E2A930
Typography
Graffiti-inspired lettering
- Character
- Sketches and poses
- DARHO lettering
- Brand compositions
- Graphic pattern
- Digital pieces








































