Four Fresh Colorado Brands
When most people think about “branding,” what comes to mind is logo design. Yet behind this eye-catching emblem of a brand is a deeper dive into the values, practices and people that make your business distinct in its sector. In short, we believe all successful branding starts with holding up a mirror to the authentic, day-to-day operations of your business and drawing inspiration from that reality throughout our creative work.
The other unique aspect of our process is our integrated visual and verbal approach. For all of the following projects, we not only developed a logo, color palette and style guide, but also established core messaging—and a custom Squarespace website—that both reveals each brand’s personality and clearly articulates its offerings. From an alternative retail space, to a medicinal mushroom CPG brand, to two exciting hospitality concepts opening this summer in Denver, each of these Colorado-based clients are bringing a compelling new offering to their communities, and we’re proud to have collaborated with their forward-thinking founders.
MODERN FOLKLORE
Boulder, Colorado
When we first connected with Modern Folklore founder Corrie Williams, we were immediately drawn to her desire to launch an alternative kind of retail space—one that prioritizes connection with makers over superficial consumption. We spent several weeks in conversation about her mission and vision, creating core messaging and an illustrated logo that capture the hand-crafted artistry and sense of community that drive the brand. In particular, we found inspiration in the tradition of textiles as a medium for storytelling—from European tapestries to traditional Indigenous prints—as well as the role of quilting and weaving in creating intergenerational heirlooms.
BODEGA
Denver, Colorado
We've always been drawn to the distinct neighborhood culture of North Denver, so when local chef Cliff Blauvelt approached us to help reimagine the role and vibe of a classic corner store in Sunnyside, we jumped at the chance. As we dove deeper into the project, we also were inspired by Cliff’s commitment to prioritizing the well-being of his team as part of providing a bar-setting guest experience. We can't wait for this fresh, sandwich-driven eatery to open—but in the meantime, we're excited to share our logo design, brand messaging and a Squarespace landing page supporting Bodega’s pre-launch buzz building efforts. Soon to come: an expanded website, menu design, signage and photography for the restaurant's summer opening.
WEST WOLF MEDICINALS
Boulder, Colorado
Foraged foods have increasingly become part of our culinary culture, yet many of us are still newcomers to the compelling science surrounding medicinal mushrooms. For this CPG brand launch, we partnered with organic mushroom farmers Benjamin and Nicole Wolf on the positioning of a new line of mushroom powder-based lifestyle blends that integrate seamlessly into users’ existing daily habits. While much of our work focused on educating consumers about the variable potency of mushroom powder-based products, as well as their documented health and wellness benefits, it was also essential for the brand to convey a sense of ease and approachability—a fine balance that drove both our copywriting and design process.
BURNDOWN
Denver, Colorado
One of our favorite parts of living in Denver is the diverse architectural history you can spot around town. So when the founders of BurnDown, a new multi-level restaurant, bar and live music venue, asked us to collaborate on their 2022 opening, we were immediately intrigued. Located in a historic brick retail space on South Broadway, the venue promises to be one of the neighborhood's largest—and most unique—gathering spots. During an initial site visit, we were particularly drawn to the rustic textures of the space, ranging from distressed brick to charred beams from a prior fire. For the logo design, we also drew inspiration from the lived-in, gritty appeal of the country’s most beloved live music bars, as well as vintage concert posters. Rounding out this design with concise brand messaging, our goal was to tie together the diverse offerings within this three-story space, establishing a cohesive hospitality concept.
