Commence Studio® is a bespoke research and design firm ... We craft purposeful brands, products, and eCommerce experiences that turn conscious values into company value. We collaborate with large & small companies that we can inspire to change the world.

Commence Studio

We are a creative agency that's about forward movement

Projects Slider

Logo on blue bg; spices product photo

BBQ sauce; Barnacle logo w wave

Horizontal Slider

Labels

Rhubarb Jam rotating web

Business Cards & Boxes

Food Photos

Sauce Photos

Rebranding, illustration, packaging and web development for the sustainably-driven Barnacle Foods, bringing locally harvested ingredients to Alaska and beyond.

Web Design

An iconic identity that is researched, informed and inspired—plus perfectly organized files you can actually use? Score.

Tell ‘em what they get, Johnny!

Branding

Brand Identity

Packaging

Alaska

Rebranding Alaskan kelp based foods with scalable packaging

Video

Grid

Grid 2

Charming packaging design for the Italian olive oil company producing organic and non-gmo ingredients, that illustrates traditional and quality values.

Illustration

Organic olive oil packaging with an Italian origin

Reno

Lid illustrations

Transparent Product Photos

Gravallese Co. came to us to create their brand identity, packaging design, website, and product photography centered around the refinement of traditional grooming products and self-care. Winning best brand packaging awards regionally and nationally.

Shopify Development

Brand Strategy

Brand Positioning

Photography

Pixels are wonderful, but dialing in your physical packaging makes us giggle in an evil ‘stroke-our-mustache’ kinda way. We appeal to as many of their senses as possible here, from their eyes to their hands (and even their hearts).

eCommerce

Nevada

Italian Heritage Brand & Grooming Products

50|50 logotype

33% details

50|50 Food Photography 

33% food photography

We knew the Zero Hospitality Group had something up their sleeves when they told us they were turning an old mechanic garage into a family-style restaurant in an upcoming neighborhood for Reno, NV. After a few branding and positioning exercises, we landed on Von Bismarck together. We were honored to be brazen with the brand across the architectural revival with historically themed typography, menu and web design, as well as food photography. 

Branding German Hospitality

Statement Hero

design and technology studio, crafting purposeful 

3 Column

2 Column

Blind Dog Coffee partnered with us to develop their new brand identity and packaging system centered around community and brewed with core values instilled by founder Mark Berry.

Rebrand and packaging for a community-focused coffee roaster

50|50

Black Rabbit Mead Co. partnered with us to create a brand identity and packaging system for their mead. Although their product is produced with honey, they make a significantly less sweet mead than other traditional varieties. It was a goal of ours to carry over this idea to a less sweet, more eerie, and regal look for their brand.

Down the Rabbit Hole Packaging Design

Vast sideways logo assets all colors

Notebooks Mockup

Video: Mobile Scrolling

Landing Page (Still)

Video: Start, Fix & Grow Interactions

Expressive identity system, interactive web design and development for Vast - a consulting group offering financial expertise and virtual accounting services to small businesses, primarily in the food i

Identity, Web Design & Development

Images 1-7

We like a good whiskey. Especially when it’s smoked and made of the finest quality ingredients just down the way from our Reno studio. We revived the Forsaken River brand with a new visual identity and family of packaging, including wood veneer engraved labels.

Rye Patch Whiskey Wooden Label

Image 1

Image 4

Images 8-10

Image 11

Through re-imagining organic produce in a box, we started creating an enticing and environmentally progressive identity for the Fresh Future Box; the aquaponics solution to the end of the Farmer's Market season. Whether it’s spicy peppers, rich butter greens, or plum tomatoes, we made sure we incorporated all elements of sweet sweet sustainability. Ensuring that they sacrificed nothing when it came to authentically representing their brand promise, we created their brand so it was replete with natural elements and vibrant visuals.

The Future of Community Supported Agriculture

Images 3,4

Image 6

Images 9-19

Dayton Valley Aquaponics partnered with us to create a brand that represented their bio-fueled take on farming that provides fresh produce year round in the High Desert of Nevada

Rethinking Produce through Aquaponics

Images 1,2

Image 3

Image 7

Images 8,9

Image 14

Images 16-19

Image 21

Image 23

Image 24, 25

Image 28

Being a group of creative professionals, its only natural to be fueled by caffeine and cold brews. Coffeebar is a supplier of just that— not to mention wine, baked treats, good times and great memories with even greater friends. At the start of Summer 2017 when Coffeebar was gearing up to open their 5th location we began a partnership to achieve an enhanced social presence and build a brand new website in preparation for the much-anticipated arrival in Silicon Valley.

Un Vero Gusto Italiano

Full Width Images 1-2 Grid

Full Width Image 6

Full Width Images 8-10 Grid

Full Width Image 12

Full Width Images 14-15 Grid

Full Width Image 16

Full Width Image 21

RetroRocket Coffee is a purely web based coffee brand that has it all. Starting from step one, we created the color palette, brand, packaging and website for this intuitive company. Packed full of space exploration references, sweeping design and unique web experiences, you'll want to know every detail of the rise of RetroRocket.

Launch The Day 

Project Listings

Photo Grid

The Virgil coworking and events venue wanted to make luxury accessible. Commence created the venue’s brand identity and website with community-oriented elegance. Now The Virgil has become a hub for collaboration.

The Virgil – Coworking Space Identity and Website Design

Family

Couples

Animations

Nav (Video)

Colors

From their beginning, we’ve helped Covered across all levels of their brand and product: comprehensive brand identity, web development, illustration, and UI. Based in Denver, Colorado, their mission is focused on simplifying the insurance process.

Web Design and Development

First Grid

Animation

“The new brand identity and illustration assets have brought our professional pressence to the next level. We get many compliments at expos and in emails.”

Team

Mockups

MessageDesk is a connection-driven messaging company servicing small businesses and teams based in Reno, NV.  

The company came to us for the redesign of their brand identity, website design, strategy, and illustrations.

Putting the message in brand messaging

Dual Image Grid

Logo over gym image; Logo orange bg

Three Column Image Grid

A strong and bold identity system developed for a fitness gym dedicated to their community, bringing an inclusive atmosphere to the Northern California area.

Building a stronger fitness community

Web GIF

Institutional identity and web development for the K-12 public charter school in the Bronx, New York, that draws on the extraordinary, forward-thinking vision the school executes.

Bold in the Bronx

Interactive Web Animations Video Loop

Sierra Well was the first cannabis dispensary in Reno, NV, and their eyes are set on continuing to lead the way. Sierra Well approached Commence to help create a modern website and online store for their patients and customers.

Cannabis culture in the digital space

Companies Page Interactions (Video)

Large 'g' small wordmark mountain background

Homepage (Video)

Page Transitions (Video)

A diversified growth equity and advisory firm with a storied history of success, Cingulate Group came to Commence for their unique brand identity and website development.

Brand identity for the leading global investment group

We're always up for a challenge. When Bombadil approached us to help them build a Lord of the Rings-inspired flower brand, we were more than up for it! It goes without saying, we have a passion for building corporate brands but love to roll our sleeves up and have a little fun as well. 

Fantastical Flowers

Row 2 - 3 image blocks

2 column image block

tear sheet

Them Duqaines came to us for artwork and design for their studio album ‘The Story of the Moral’. We illustrated the story told across the track list and brought the honky tonk characters to life through CDs, custom vinyl design, and merchandise. We tip our hat to these folks.

Story of the Moral Album Art

Barnacle Foods challenged us to create a new label for their Bullwhip Kelp hot sauce that reflects their personality and helps pull in new customers. Originally the Bullwhip woman was supposed to be a salty older gentleman, but after meeting the women-led team at Barnacle, it was clear we had an opportunity for more accurate representation. After releasing the new packaging, the product became a best seller and is featured on Patagonia Provisions.

Bullwhip Hot Sauce

A simple and intriguing branding and web project we did for StreamNative.

Branding and Web Design

We love working with the Magpie team just as much as we enjoy their coffee. If you've ever stopped by, purchased a bag of their delicious coffee, or met any of the amazing staff working there, then you already know what we're talking about. When they approached us to give their packaging a new refresh from the old packaging we created, it goes without saying, we were over the moon. 

Going Minimalist

Full Width Images 1-5,10. Half Width Gifs 6-7 + Stills 8-9, 11-12 Grid

Time to celebrate. Patagonia has hit the 20 year mark at their Upper West Side shop. We worked together with the Patagonia NYC team to create some custom illustration and tears sheets for this anniversary. Being in the ‘business to save our home planet,’ Patagonia has worked with dozens of different environmental non-profits in the NYC area the last 2 decades, so we wanted this project to tell that story and depict the history of the area.

The Freedom & The Escape

Images 1-3

Lorable’s iconography reflects the clear shapes and style to match its brand identity. The icons take the approach of being recognizable and functional. The simplicity allows for the tone of the content to be at the forefront.

Images 6-9

The interface must adapt to different lighting conditions to avoid poor readability or glare. Designing for dark mode allows for content to be easier on the eyes in dimmer environments.

Image 10

Lorable’s stories are developed based on casual human conversations so users are acclimated effortlessly. The UI we created assists in guiding the user through a natural flow of conversation.

Images 11-13

Lorable is a storytelling app developed by the Northern Nevada based startup to engage both readers and writers with interactive plot building. Through strategic branding, material design, and clarified theming, we helped create an app experience that is engaging and easy to explore.

A Story Worth Sharing Through UX

Images 2-11

As much as we love doing work for our clients, we also love doing work for our planet. In conjunction with Patagonia Action Works, we designed and implemented a mural that spanned across three of Patagonia’s vast windows. The imagery and statements were chosen to bring awareness to the fracking threat that would damage the Ruby Mountains’ landscape and habitat in search for oils and fuel. The Rubies are not only full of beauty and popular for recreation, but are also Te-Moak ancestral homelands and a place that many magnificent animals call home. We stand with the thousands of people who have already raised their voices against destroying this iconic landscape. With Patagonia’s immense following and a little paint, we hope to make a big difference for the future of Nevada’s Ruby Mountains.

Defend the Rubies

First impressions can be everything. We worked alongside the wonderful team at Whitmore to design a purely unique brand identity and a rich, illustrative unboxing experience to leave a lasting impression on their customers.

It's All About the Experience

Images 1-12

The surf lifestyle and merchandise company Worldwide Nation partnered with us to create designs and illustrations for their first season of apparel. Inspired by the desire for surfers to be more connected.

Uniting Surfers

Images 9-10

Image 13

Image 18

When you love what you do, whether it be cooking, woodwork, home improvement, or even sewing you can’t help but want to shout it from the rooftops. Our San Francisco (also Brazilian and Italian) friends at Craftlog make it easy for you to not only share your projects with others, but find new projects to fall in love with. Featuring a flexible user interface, user experience, and well crafted interaction design, we’ve worked hard with our long-term partners-in-craft to make an app that's so easy to use even your mom can make your family recipes live on forever.

A Platform for Passion

Full Width Images 1-11 Grid

Having longtime connections with Southern Australia, our good friends at Orange Roasting Co had dreamed up yet another game-changing idea: Remy & Max. Keeping the context of bar & coffee syrups in mind, we designed packaging, branding, and a solid identity to follow suite alongside liquor bottles. As well, a packaging design that benefited the server more than the customer.

Coffee Packaging from Down Under

Full Width Images 1-4 Grid

For the love of waves and oceans! Patagonia has impacted the surf industry silently, but successfully. Our goal was to share their progress in a full page advertisement spread in Surfer Magazine, utilizing a timeline that would guide the viewer through each milestone.

We're Out To Change The Industry

Full Width Images 2-3,6-7 Split Images 4-5

Summer Collection Product Video

Full Width Images 9-10

Full Width Image 12 

Split Images 14-15, Full Width Image 16

Split Images 18-19

Split Images 21-22

Split Images 24-25, Full Width Image 26

Honey + Goldies handcrafts unique and irreplaceable pieces. She wanted a website that reflected the simplicity, variety, and beauty of her one-of-a-kind craft. Starting from a simple, elegant color scheme, we worked with Honey and Goldies to create a stunning eCommerce website that incorporates detailed illustrations, awesome photography, custom product pages, and tailored back-end functionality. The combination of hard work, collaboration, and a handful of diamonds, creates nothing less than a result that sparkles as bright as the gems it exhibits.

Chiseled with Charm

Full Width Images 1-3,6-14 Split Images 4-5

It is no secret that we love to work with cannabis companies. So naturally, creating an identity and packaging system for the Alaska-based concentrate connoisseur Matanuska Apothecary was a perfect fit.

Alaskan Cannabis Dispensary Branding

Full Width Image 4

As a company founded in skate culture (pour one out for all the times we've hit the pavement literally and figuratively), Environment was one of the original partners in creativity for Laxalt & McIver. With custom illustration and graphic design, we helped grow Environment's brand through art directed skate decks and tear sheets filled with graphics far cooler than any kick flip.

Environment Skateboards

Full Width Image 1-2, 5-6, 12-13 Split Images 3-4, 7-1, 14-16

Some of the most rewarding partnerships we've had have come through working with people as wild as we are. Meet Deso, a lifestyle apparel brand that embraces the art of getting lost. We collaborated with them to tell their stories from #wayoutthere through graphic design, custom illustration and tear sheets. Grab some gear, go on an adventure, and tell us your story - or don't... some stories are kept between you and the wilderness.

Spend a Week In The Woods

Video 1, Full Width Images 2-7

With close Nevada ties - it’s hard not to find ourselves passionate about the land that we live on. For this partnership, we collaborated with Patagonia Action Works to create a design that best captured the land of the Gold Butte National Monument. Through t-shirts, postcards, and a mural spanning all of the windows at Patagonia’s Reno location -- we were able to help make a lasting impact.

Defending Public Lands

Full Width Images 1-4, 7-8 Split Images 5-6, 9-10

As the first major retailer to move into downtown in over 30 years, West Elm moving to Reno was a big deal! We were hired to produce the identity for their Hello Reno Grand Opening campaign and create assets for the WE:Local program.

Reviving Retail in Reno

Full Width Images 1-2 Split Images 3-4

Illustrative playing card deck to connect and promote startups and entrepreneurs in the Northern Nevada area. Each card features a business, person or place that helps incubate ideas and generate leads for our economy.

We are a creative agency that's about forward movement

Rebranding Alaskan kelp based foods with scalable packaging

Organic olive oil packaging with an Italian origin

Italian Heritage Brand & Grooming Products

Branding German Hospitality

Commence is a strategic design and technology studio, crafting purposeful brands, products, and experiences that turn cultural values into company value.

Blind Dog Coffee

Gravallese Co.

Barnacle Foods

Black Rabbit Mead Company

Von Bismarck

Vast

Forsaken River Distilling

Fresh Future

Olivaio

Dayton Valley Aquaponics

Coffeebar

Retro Rocket Coffee

We've Been Accepted Into the Invite-Only Shopify Theme Accelerator

Commence Studio Wins AAF Reno's Best of Show

How to Get the Best ROI From Your Email Marketing Campaign

What is a Brand Archetype?

3 Tips for Better Instagram Customer Service