Hi,
#18 is a really nice solution. If you could make the black negative space in the "R" a little larger (just a little). And make the angled "leg" of the "R" thinner to match the thickness of all of the other parts of the "E" and the "D" and the "R".
Whatever you do to the negative space of the "R" shouldn't look too much different than the negative space in the "E". After you loosen up the "R", you might have to adjust the "E".
If these comments don't make sense, please ask for clarification. I'll try to check in tonight.