Bold silhouette + two squares (IN / OUT) • 8 marks • 100 / 32 / 16px • both polarities
Shared logic: in both directions the two squares are load-bearing — they form or split the H's crossbar, so they can’t be removed without breaking the mark. One square = IN, one = OUT; the discrete two-unit geometry carries the machine/syntax read without any AI cliché.
Direction A — Blocked H with two squares
The bold H is the dominant silhouette; the crossbar is built from the two square units. Bold, calm, app-icon ready.
A · v1 — BalanceddirA-v1-blocked-h-balanced.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: The crossbar is two butted squares split by one seam — symmetric, quiet, unmistakably an H.
H legibilityExcellent — the silhouette is a textbook bold H.
Input-output clarityModerate — two equal squares imply a pair, but no direction.
ML / machine feelGood — the split crossbar reads as a processing seam / two units.
Favicon performanceStrong — holds cleanly to 16px; seam survives.
RecommendationSafest, most iconic A; the default primary.
A · v2 — Inline SquaresdirA-v2-blocked-h-inline-squares.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: Two discrete square units sit inline on a spine — they feel like data moving through the H.
H legibilityStrong; spine guarantees the crossbar reads.
Input-output clarityGood — clearly two separated units in a row.
ML / machine feelStrong — most "data passing through" of the A set.
Favicon performanceFair — the 4px spine thins below ~20px; squares still carry it.
RecommendationBest A for storytelling at large size; defer favicon to v4.
A · v3 — Offset SquaresdirA-v3-blocked-h-offset-squares.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: IN steps high-left, OUT drops low-right — a diagonal that reads as transformation flow, no arrow.
H legibilityGood, slightly softer — the stepped bar is less textbook.
Input-output clarityBest of Direction A — the diagonal gives true direction.
ML / machine feelStrong — implies state change across the gate.
Favicon performanceGood; the step simplifies to a thick bar at 16px.
RecommendationPick this if input→output direction matters most.
A · v4 — FavicondirA-v4-blocked-h-favicon.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: Maximum weight, big two-square crossbar, one seam — built to read at 16px first.
H legibilityExcellent at every size.
Input-output clarityModerate — the pair, no direction (by design).
ML / machine feelGood — clean two-unit split.
Favicon performanceBest of the whole set.
RecommendationAdopt as A’s app-icon / favicon master.
Direction B — Brackets + two squares = H
Square brackets are the frame; two squares between them read as both the crossbar and IN/OUT. More conceptual and brand-distinctive.
B · v1 — Two Squares (clearest H)dirB-v1-brackets-two-squares.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: [ IN | OUT ] — brackets as stems, two squares as the crossbar. Syntax + the letter in one read.
H legibilityGood — brackets + central block read as H, slightly more abstract than A.
Input-output clarityGood — two distinct squares framed by syntax.
ML / machine feelExcellent — the bracket frame is overt code/machine syntax.
Favicon performanceFair — bracket stems thin at 16px; squares hold the mass.
RecommendationThe reference B mark; most balanced of the four.
B · v2 — H Fusion (most conceptual)dirB-v2-brackets-h-fusion.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: Diagonal IN→OUT squares inside the brackets — a dynamic, code-like glyph where the H is implied, not spelled.
H legibilityWeakest — H is subtle; reads first as syntax + data.
Input-output clarityStrong — the diagonal gives clear direction.
ML / machine feelStrongest of all eight — most "transformation" character.
Favicon performanceFair — diagonal blurs slightly at 16px but mass survives.
RecommendationMost ownable/distinctive; choose if concept beats literal H.
B · v3 — State ChangedirB-v3-brackets-statechange.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: Hollow IN (raw) resolves to solid OUT (structured) inside the bracket frame — the transformation made explicit.
H legibilityGood at 100/32; hollow square lightens the crossbar slightly.
Input-output clarityBest of all eight — hollow→solid is unambiguous.
ML / machine feelStrong — raw-vs-structured is the core ML story.
Favicon performanceWeakest — the hollow square fills/thins below ~24px.
RecommendationGreat large-format / hero variant; pair with v4 for small sizes.
B · v4 — FavicondirB-v4-brackets-favicon.svg
B/W — W/B
100
32
16
100
32
16
Rationale: Heaviest brackets + two solid squares butted into one bold crossbar — Direction B distilled for 16px.
H legibilityGood and bold; clearest small-size B.
Input-output clarityModerate — the pair, no direction.
ML / machine feelStrong — bracket syntax stays legible.
Favicon performanceStrong — the best-holding B at 16px.
RecommendationAdopt as B’s favicon master, paired with v1 or v3 at large size.
