ON THE MIND
BRANDING
Brand and logo can be the most poignant and efficient representation of an organization. Great brand design does not seek to strictly define an organization, but create a bridge between projected and precieved identity, sturdy enough for both to traverse back and forth, each influencing the other to grow and change.
FEARLESS IDEAS BRAND UPDATE
The “Scribe” logomark shows a scribe’s hand in a frame scribed by that self-same hand, symbolizing self-realization through the mighty power of the pen.
Previous branding used government style seal to allude to the FBI. This created misplaced concern with ESL and immigrant families. The word “Bureau” was deemphasized and focus was put more on Fearless Ideas and the written word.
Even in larger scale (10" wide), the Scribe Logomark holds up! (note the small scale Double Stack wordmark on the sleeve shoulder).
The “Scribe” logomark shows a scribe’s hand in a frame scribed by that self-same hand, symbolizing self-realization through the mighty power of the pen.
VIEW THE
FEARLESS IDEAS
BRAND MANUAL
VASHON CENTER for the ARTS
60th SEASON
To commemorate VCA's 60th season, the number "60" was incorporated, using semi-opaque strokes like those in VCA's enduring "Blue Heron" icon. The optional tag line "An Island of Creativity for Sixty Years" alludes to VCA being at the center of Vashon Island, surrounded by the supportive community it serves, and how, by serving artists and art lovers at every stage of life—from audiences to creators, students to professionals, young to old—it is has creative ecosystem unto itself.
VASHON PIANOFÊTE
The lowercase italic letters "p" and "f” echo those founf on sheet music to tell musicians to play "pianissimo" (“softer”) or "forte" (“stronger”). The rest of the letters in the wordmark are given their own distinct color each year.
Design elements: two piano shapes nod to two iconic concert grands, sheet music alludes to instrument’s versatility, brayer texture fills (to be tinted) give a casual, organic approachability to a usually formal and imposing instrument.
A mug to sip coffee while waking up to your favoirte piano music (in "Rhapsody Blue" from PianoFete 2021)
The lowercase italic letters "p" and "f” echo those founf on sheet music to tell musicians to play "pianissimo" (“softer”) or "forte" (“stronger”). The rest of the letters in the wordmark are given their own distinct color each year.
VASHON CENTER for the ARTS
Depts and Devo Branding
The most visible building on the VCA campus Katherine L. White Hall houses a auditorium, gallery, and gathering space called The Atrium. The logotype shows a handmade illustration of the barn-shaped building’s 30 ft. glazed faced, and brand typeface.
The Blue Heron Education Center (BHEC) is where VCA began 60 years ago. Now it holds the org’s art, dance and theatre classes. Like the Kay White Hall logotype, this beloved building is depicted with a handmade illustration and brand typeface.
Created during COVID, this fundraising campaign focused on giving for the sake of sustainability and long-term growth, rather than for any one program. This fundraising campaign would eventually become the Kay Circle.
The most visible building on the VCA campus Katherine L. White Hall houses a auditorium, gallery, and gathering space called The Atrium. The logotype shows a handmade illustration of the barn-shaped building’s 30 ft. glazed faced, and brand typeface.
SUB-BRANDS of
FEARLESS IDEAS
People Eating & Giving is Fearless Idea’s annual gala. Each year a new, complete “wedding suite” of distinctly branded collateral is built: digital marketing content, invites, event webpage, programs, place cards, lanyards, signage, VIP gifts, thank you cards.
People Eating & Giving is Fearless Idea’s annual gala. Each year a new, complete “wedding suite” of distinctly branded collateral is built: digital marketing content, invites, event webpage, programs, place cards, lanyards, signage, VIP gifts, thank you cards.
Fearless Ideas' oldest after school club, this sub brand included a full correspondence suite with stationary, envelopes, and even a pop-up desk set.
People Eating & Giving is Fearless Idea’s annual gala. Each year a new, complete “wedding suite” of distinctly branded collateral is built: digital marketing content, invites, event webpage, programs, place cards, lanyards, signage, VIP gifts, thank you cards.
PENCIL BOX RETAIL STORE
Greenwood Pencil Box, "Outfitters of Creative Adventure," is a storefront run jointly by two nonprofits focusing on creativity and storytelling: Fearless Ideas (where the storefront is located) and Sanctuary Art Center. The store is a way to share their missions by sparking creativity and imagination in their customers. The "Pencil Hex" Logomark (here, set in a green ring) asks the viewer to think divergently, abstracting the geometry of the pencil by showing it "tip-side first."
A sturdy, carved wood blade sign gives the Pencil Hex Logomark a bas-relief treatment (as seen in decorative carving in the WPA-built Timberline Lodge). The horizontal dark green and deep yellow stripes harken to the ferrule of the iconic Dixon Ticonderoga Pencil. (See the IN 3-D section for interior photos of Greenwood Pencil Box!)
As "Outfitters of Creative Adventure" Greenwood Pencil Box sells supplies for explorers of the imagination. To be a good writer, you must be an good editor, and this take on the classic Eberhard Faber "Pink Pearl" eraser will help!
Greenwood Pencil Box, "Outfitters of Creative Adventure," is a storefront run jointly by two nonprofits focusing on creativity and storytelling: Fearless Ideas (where the storefront is located) and Sanctuary Art Center. The store is a way to share their missions by sparking creativity and imagination in their customers. The "Pencil Hex" Logomark (here, set in a green ring) asks the viewer to think divergently, abstracting the geometry of the pencil by showing it "tip-side first."
This a brand Guide One-Sheet is a tool I use in early brand pitches with clients. While a good brand style guide won't come until later in the design process, the Brand One-Sheet allows the client to think in terms of practical usage and have fun brainstorming its application in different contexts.
The Business Suite for MANA had to look good enough to fit on one the the high-end topical hardwood desks they aspired to sell. All their furniture would be made with traditional Hawaiian craftsmanship in a modern furniture aesthetic.
This a brand Guide One-Sheet is a tool I use in early brand pitches with clients. While a good brand style guide won't come until later in the design process, the Brand One-Sheet allows the client to think in terms of practical usage and have fun brainstorming its application in different contexts.