We have been using this fish as our logo for HappyFish Design since the late 90s. There are quite a few levels to it’s meaning for us:
- It’s a Hawaiian petroglyph of an ahi tuna
- My husband Chad’s love of diving and training other divers has taken him to some of his favorite destinations: Hawaii, Micronesia and Utila. He was even invited to dive the USS Arizona Memorial – which was an experience he will never forget.
- Chad was living on Maui when we met in 1996 by chance – on our first date (scuba diving on The Pride of Maui) we saw flying fish!
- I felt that the fact that fish could fly was just as wierd as it was for two people from the Pacific northwest to meet and fall in love – in the middle of the pacific – by sheer timing and fate.
- We incorporated a flying fish theme into our whole wedding too – on the cake, on the handmade invitations and thank you cards etc. I also handmade the ceramic fish that went on top of the cake complete with translucent wings and metallic iridescent paint. (Yes, I was crazy …. ) With a nod to Chad’s swedish ancestry – we included blue mini swedish fish candies as favors. Turned out they turned everyone’s tongues blue – it was so funny!!! Made for great photos!!!
- We lived in Hawaii for many years and have many memories – met, got married, had our first baby there …we will always love and respect the culture, people and beauty of Hawaii.
- We also liked the name happyfish … and the irony that fish don’t smile.
- We also felt that on a business level – there are plenty of big companies out there – but sometimes it’s the little fish that can provide a service that’s friendly and personal.
- Our previous websites we designed were inspired by the iridescence of fish scales – as well as the pixels that make up digital photos. The color schemes are actually taken from some of my favorite photos of Chad’s blown up so much so that all you see are the pixels. The translucent ‘wavy’ element represents the ebb and flow of both water as well as the whole design process.
- On first glance, happyfish looks like an ichthys – the secret symbol adopted by early Christians. It is not, though we do love the Prince of Peace, Jesus! We are called to create.
