An earthy, gritty and honest visual identity for A Common Life, a brand focused on joy in the ordinary and born out of a desire to help people reconnect with land, garden and rhythm of seasonsThe visual identity includes a hand-lettered logo and stamp, a dusty palette derived from nature, typography inspired by old seed packets and almanacs, abstracted rhythmic marks evoking creation and lots of charcoal sketches of plants.
Art direction and brand design by Sarah Robins Powell
Collateral design by Megan Kesting
Visual identity and branding for Workshop, a creative classroom and event space in Homewood, Alabama. The design has a very “by-hand” aesthetic, including analog typography, a sepia-based color palette reminiscent of drawing class, and a collage layout approach. The logo mark was designed with the idea that the pieces of the mark can separate and come together again, reinforcing the concepts of connection and collaboration.
Photography by Graham Yelton
Interiors by Fran Keenan Design
Watercolor and ink illustrations for Birmingham magazine’s feature on how Harper Lee’s To Kill A Mockingbird changed everything.
The full project included a title page, a full page map showing literary landmarks throughout the state, with corresponding key, four spot illustrations and several lettered pull quotes. The lettering was influenced by Depression-era propaganda.
Creative direction by Laura Buchanan
Creative direction and styling for a direct mail campaign promoting brighter smiles and fuller lives through witty copy and an all-American, 60s look.
Jeffrey Williams Photography; Copywriting: Lisa Moore; Hair: Joanna Ballentine; Makeup: Molly Stilley
Various work done for Cornerstone Presbyterian Church. The aesthetic for many of these pieces is based on the use of traditional religious forms, shapes and motifs.
Historically a Gulf Service Station, the newly renovated 400 41st St. South building is now commercial space within resurgent Avondale, Alabama. The brand design centers on the idea of seeing one thing through another, inspired both by the renovation concept of retaining the history of the building, as well as through shifting shadows as light travels across the grid work on the building exterior. 400-41st-avondale.com
Ignite Properties provides tenants with places to thrive within their communities and seeks projects that can add value and responsible momentum to local neighborhoods. The concept for this brand system is centered on revitalization and new life, with focus on words like “strength,” “simplicity” and “sophistication” informing the look. The result was a logo showing folding/unfolding of one thing into another, while also referencing architectural space and giving a subtle nod to the flame shape. The supporting elements are understated but nuanced. It was especially exciting to find a broad nib typeface (Chap) which referenced the idea of unfolding in its unique strokes.
A sixty-foot-long illustrated timeline of famous dogs in history for EarlyWorks Children’s Museum’s summer exhibit: Puppy Love.
A series of illustrations created to help educate elementary age children about the importance of dental health and hygiene.
Event campaign branding for an organization offering supports to families battling childhood cancer. This event centers on the pairing of young patients with local artists, and together they create two works of art, which are then auctioned. The aesthetic for the campaign is based on mixed media and a collage approach, including a handwritten logo, overlays and sketches one mine draw in an art class.
A coloring-sheet nature scene illustration for Sullivan Yates, a playful children’s clothing line.
A fully graphic, 40-page section of a Bible study book focusing on “misfits” in the Bible--people who lived by faith and, in turn, were perceived as crazy or unpopular. Art direction called for vintage circus/freak show feel. Each page represents a day's study and thus had to work as a single page as well as part of a spread.
© The Navigators/Student Life. Executive Editor/Author: Jeremy Maxfield. Creative Director: Drew Francis. Sleepy Fox Photography.
