Being a graphic designer, I’m usually on the hunt for typography or packaging that’s historically significant. Today’s journey took me to the KOAC radio station (550 AM), where the nice guys at the station let me poke around the nooks and crannies of the art-deco style (circa 1941) building. Inside, there was a treasure trove of logos and typography, most of it on vintage equipment.
In Willow, Alaska, nestled in the foothills of the beautiful Talkeetna Mountains, there’s a year-round Bible camp that was founded in 1964 . Client Dan Newman wanted to offer guests at North Star Bible Camp the best, freshest coffee available, “…so over the winter of 2014 we built a roaster and with the help of YouTube I taught myself how to roast. It was never our intent to sell coffee, but people kept asking to buy it. So now we sell it.”
In creating the labels, we wanted to do two things: honor the history of the camp, and create a design that suggested classic American summer camp vernacular. We worked with fonts that are close to 1950’s-1960’s era type, as well as type that suggests wooden directional camp signs. Color palettes were drawn from National Park series blankets by Pendleton.
“All we want our clients to have to do is have an idea or concept for their event or wedding and we want to be able to take care of everything else for them,” stated Kate Lacy, the director of operations for Corvallis-area business Everything Else Events, LLC. She wanted a logo that was “upscale, professional, and creative,” to reflect the level of service that she and business partner Heather Bodenhamer provide for their clients. A big inspiration for this project was a lead type block that was part of our personal collection of typography artifacts. An impression was taken from a script “E” and scanned, then digitally rendered to be used as the monogram for the logo. It subtly references elegance & a bygone era of print.
Client Andrea Fahy and her team wanted a custom holiday greeting that conveyed a cozy feeling while inviting friends & family to their open house. We discussed the type of scenery & photography that would embody a chilly winter night, then we created a hand-painted laurel & berry wreath to encircle the typography. Watercolored accents were painted on a super-textured 300 Series Strathmore cold-press paper for a high contrast in texture between the photograph & paint.
Local non-profit organization Albany YoungLife wanted something spectacular for their upcoming fundraiser: a Latin club-themed party, full of music, dancing, and energetic color. To get the proper visual feel for the theme, it was necessary to thoroughly research the Latin club scene from the early 1920’s-1940’s. Finding imagery was a challenge; luckily, there are some surviving examples of postcards/advertisements from that time period. Typography was especially important to the visuals to get the appropriate vintage vibe.
A lot can change in ten years– including how one uses a logo. Owner Kristal Dufour explained the current difficulties she was having placing their ten-year old logo on social media applications. Having a long hyphenated name made it difficult to fit the logo just about anywhere. “I’ve tried stacking it,” she explained. It was time to start anew!
Stating she wanted a logo that was “original, contemporary, and classy,” Kristal stressed that she also desired a logo that looked nothing like other funeral home logos. Taking a cue from our natural surroundings, we focused on a species of tree that grows on the banks of the Willamette River: the Black Cottonwood tree, or populus trichocarpa. Its fragrance dominates spring air, as do the puffs of cotton that float through downtown Albany on hot summer days. On the top of the logo, Cottonwood leaves drape over the typography and point toward gently flowing water. We wanted to suggest a natural cycle; of life, nature, and local significance.
A combination of botanical elements were drawn together as a whole in this tattoo illustration. With a hop vine as the base, several other floral designs were woven amongst the vines, each with their own special meaning. Tattooed by Karissa at Kawbi Tattoo in Salem, Oregon.
Nature photographer Julie Miller wanted a logo that was “unique, adventurous, and inspiring.” We wanted to fulfill her desire for a totally unique and memorable logo. We wanted to subtly suggest adventure, wanderlust, and spending time discovering nature. An icon borrowed from a classic magnetic compass coupled with the classic typeface Futura makes this handsome logo stand out.
Stylist Mindy Bond loves tattoos, Victorian-age illustrations, and steampunk style. When creating her business cards, she worked collaboratively with us so we could create an illustration that was full of meaning, beauty, and intrigue. Business/ appointment cards were made by working very closely with Mindy to achieve her ideal illustration. Then, while again referencing her visual style, we crafted the card around the initial illustration. The result: a fabulously ornate business card!
Scheduled to open in June 2015, Art of Life is a gallery for local & Pacific Northwest artisans. Owner Molly Ford wanted a logo that was “earthy, whimsical, and inviting.” As for the general direction of the logo, Ford stated, “I think of a tree as being a symbol of Oregon and a symbol of life. I think there needs to be something living in the design.” Located in a building that has been refurbished with eco-friendly techniques, a secondary aspect was environmental friendliness. “When people enter my space I want them to feel intrigued, as if they are in a magical place discovering interesting things wherever they look,” she said.
Rider/ trainer/ instructor Biz Stamm focuses on equine biomechanics while teaching riders and their horses at Stamm Sport Horse, LLC. For her logo, we wanted to focus on the practice of dressage, with an emphasis on communication between horse and rider.
Biz chose the image of a horse in motion, with mounted rider, and requested the Theta symbol to represent the physics of a horse’s movement.
Local children’s upscale shop, SunnyPatch Boutique, needed a new logo for signage, clothing hangtags, and business collateral. The owner, Tiffany Johnson, gave us a starting point by giving a preference to vintage French imagery and colors. By referencing decor in the shop and on Pinterest boards, we began researching typography that would look fresh and distinctive, and, most importantly, look classic for years to come.
The chosen typeface was created by Spanish font artist Mario Arturo, from a collection of letters that appeared in magazines between 1940- 1960. It has a playful, yet classic feel, and was legible enough for signage. The imagery needed to be colorful and lighthearted, while still looking fresh and chic.
Beginning with the ideas of a vintage barber shop, antique styling tools, and the contrast of urban/ rural landscapes, we began to create Chelsea Gassner’s identity. A local hair stylist and makeup artist who is based out of Happy Hollow Salon, Chelsea wanted a logo and photography for her new website. Printed collateral includes a services menu and business cards.
Client LInda Glassey wanted a classic logo that would stand the test of time. With a professional clientele in mind, we wanted to create an eye-catching visual representation of what classical five-element acupuncture is about: energy, and the five elements that the practice revolves around. Using a dandelion as an earth-based element, we subtly referenced five main acupuncture needles in the forefront of the dandelion head. Once the form & typography were solidified, we moved onto using color to represent energy. A three-color combination suggests the flow of powerful, radiant energy into the dandelion.
Business collateral includes a single-sided flyer, matching business cards, wall decor, letterhead, and gift certificates.
Realtor team Andrea and Anne Fahy needed visuals that would instantly call attention to the many different real estate services they provide. A 3′ x 5′ poster would be displayed at conventions and open houses, accompanied by a trifold brochure that gave in-depth details about the team. Photos were provided by Rocketship Graphic Design & The Fahy Team.
