While I pretty much love all of the design projects I take on, there are some that especially inspire my creative process. One of those is creating a new logo and/or brand. It’s the kind of project I built my business on its early days. Whether it was a refresh or a totally new look, there was always a level of excitement (and if I’m truly honest, nervousness) to it all. Creating a new logo for a business is ripe with possibilities, not just for the graphics but for the road ahead of those who will implement those graphics—whether that’s Studio Haus or someone else altogether. There’s always a plan when developing a logo and branding but the element of the unknown comes into play too. (We’ve all learned about the unknown in a big way in the past couple of years, haven’t we?)
There have been times in the history of Studio Haus when it felt like the logo projects I took on slowed down a bit. Whether that slowdown was from the advent of what feels like fast food graphics (meaning fast, cheap and very rarely the best option), budget constraints, lack of time available to invest (which means more time needed down the road by the way), or some other reason, I can’t always say. But there have been a flurry of new logo projects to come through these doors recently and I’m thrilled! To me, it’s evidence that people are starting new endeavors and feeling hopeful about the future. There’s an innovative spirit and confidence that builds when someone invests in a mark that ultimately says, “I’m here to get down to business and I’m going to take it seriously so that others will too.”
These projects all have something in common: optimism. And because I so often work with non-profits and and small businesses in service to others, it gives me great confidence in the road ahead to see their paths and brands unfold. Have a look at these case studies and see where new optimism is springing up. There’s sure to be more to come. In fact I’ve got another in the works right now and I’m loving it!
Sweet Radish is a start-up organization that seeks to serve the refugee population by partnering with local farmers willing to offer fresh food to those who have seen some bitter times. That’s a pretty sweet mission and I truly look forward to seeing the ripple effects of their true Southern charm and hospitality. Look for more details on this one in the future and consider supporting their efforts.
Recently I’ve been learning more about the Japanese internment camps during World War II. Amache (the WW2 Granada Relocation Center) was one of 10 centers constructed during this time for the purpose of interning Japanese Americans. More than 10,000 people passed through the camp and it housed over 7,300 at its peak in 29 blocks of Army style barracks. The history is preserved through the efforts of the Amache Alliance and the close ties of the families and friends that were affected by this time in history. The water tower at the site remains a symbol of those times.
In these days of awareness about how important local businesses are, Tennessee Local Food Summit is serving it up with grass roots gusto. Their mission says it all: “We support a healthy local food system for Middle Tennessee by hosting events that educate and connect. We promote food sovereignty through educational empowerment and provide the collaborative space necessary to develop a resilient local food economy. Middle Tennessee once fed itself, and it will again.”
Founder and lead instructor Catherine Crooks has over 30 years of professional experience in the health and wellness field. And she’s a truly beautiful gem of a human too. I was thrilled to work with her to create the brand for Danu Meditation & Wellness and develop the framework for her website. The element of water (and how it responds to everything surrounding it) was the primary theme we worked with. As someone who has followed her meditations, I’m certain the ripple effects of her work will make the world a more beautiful place.
When Chérie Newman reached out to me, I was delighted to learn that she’s interviewed some authors whose book covers I’ve designed! She worked as a producer for 12 years at an NPR-affiliated radio station where she created a weekly literary program and podcast, The Write Question, which was syndicated on eight other public radio networks and is still in production. Now she’s running Magpie Audio Productions providing services like recording and editing, script writing, interviewing, formatting for online distribution, legacy projects and sound effects. Magpie also offers professional narration services for podcasts, audio books, and multi-media voice-overs. Check it out!
Sometimes projects come from a rather brief encounter: I met Alan during a holiday show where I was selling my hand-printed textiles and other products and he took a fabulous candid picture of my work. A short while later he reached out and asked me to design his logo. He’s got a fabulous name and a love of blue! Not only is he good at finding the perfect candid shot but his portraits are great too! He was also fabulous to work with and you should follow his work! Better yet, hire him!