Every so often we set the keyboard aside and break out the brushes and ink. Nothing speaks originality and soul more than custom tailored artwork. It's been said time and time again - a picture says a thousand words

Analog Illustration & Typography

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

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

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

Images 1,2

We refreshed the look of Coffeebar to match their attitude. Bold, bright, yet sophisticated and refined. With such a growth taking place in the company, and a dedicated, loving fanbase - it was of upmost importance that we complete every action with strategy. Our measure twice, cut once mentality was something we were taking into account every step of the process.

Identity Exploration 

Image 3

In addition to Coffeebar’s signature orange, brown and tan color scheme, we introduced some pronounced secondary colors because coffee offers the ideology of comfort and energy of movement all at once.

Step One

Badges are great for everything from identity extension, to website ornamentation, to clothing designs or patches.

More than text and color 

Image 7

While we wanted to keep things modern, we also didn’t want to erase the human element. That human element is what differentiates all of Coffeebar’s locations from so many other coffee shops. We thought some handwritten elements would carry that ideology accross their brand.

Handwritten <3

Images 8,9

One of the goals we established when we first met with our pals at Coffeebar was the desire to have a kickass website. We wanted something that highlighted all locations, encompassed everything a customer could look for, stand out above the ordinary and, of course, look amazing.

This is the first page Coffeebar’s customers see. It not only gives them a taste of the custom video components, eye-catching transitions and integrated handwritten elements, but it also highlights the shopping experience and invites them to check out Coffeebar’s individual locations, blog, ideology, spotify favorites and lifestyle portfolio.

Homepage of champions. 

This site starts with the expected. You’ll find the contact, about, culture and shop pages quickly. Then it adds some pizazz. It includes pages dedicated to the senses— photos to look at, playlists to listen to, news to read about and menus to salviate over. As if that wasn’t cool enough, each of Coffeebar’s location pages link to these experiences, displaying corresponding examples of each. Lastly the site finishes off with some truly special surprises, roadtrips and brew guides, but you’ll see those later.

Where can we visit?

Coffeebar has done a fantastic job of keeping their brand consistent throughout each of their locations while making each space uniquely fit into the local area. Our challenge was to do the same thing digitally.

Keeping it all together 

We chose Shopify as the platform of choice. It has a beautiful back-end that gives us the ability to hand-craft the shopping experience, and staff the ease of use. (Added bonus for their top-notch analytics, data reporting and ecommerce insights. )

The shopping experience is well organized into three categories and kicks things off with a couple different suggestions. Each product page includes pictures, its story and a sticky header that displays the most important details 100% of the time as you scroll to explore a product. Which means, yes, customers can add that baby to cart no matter where they are on the page.

Bring in the money 

Its always sweet to see artwork on items people bring with them (or wear on them), because that means theres’s a higher chance that art will touch more souls. Here’s a couple products we merged with our badges and typography as proposals to add to Coffeebar’s online store.

It ends with swag

Image 14

What’s a coffeeshop without rad music? We embedded Coffeebar’s favorite playlists with each location page, suggesting a set of songs that will always bring you back to your favorite coffee artists.

Feed all the senses 

Images 16-19

Ever wonder how you’re favorite coffee spot makes their drinks so perfect? Well here’s how. Visit Coffeebar’s brew guides page to explore four in depth brewing methods. And if you’re already a master brewer, at least check it out out to admire the awesome handwritten elements.

We've hit the jackpot 

Image 21

As if detailed steps and a complete instruction list weren’t enough, the illustrations that pair with each step blew it out of the water.

Illustrations for the soul 

Image 23

Image 24, 25

When you first visit Coffeebar Roadtrips you’ll see a map with a bunch of stops Coffeebar employees handpicked. Each stop’s point is color coded brown, blue, yellow or green which corresponds to the stop type: discover, explore, drink or eat. Filter by location, or type, or both. Zoom in or out, and scroll right or left. You can even click on each point to see a preview of the stop, its name and city.

The bells and whistles

There’s even a corresponding card that scrolls to display whenever you click on a point. It offers you all the details you need to know, its website, a link to google maps, which employee suggested it and why.

Know it all 

Image 28

There was a lot of fun with photo and video on this project. We were able to work with on-location and studio photography as well as cinemagraphs, custom video and timelapses.

Great for website and blog photos, we shot everything Coffeebar where all the magic really happens.

In their environment 

Great for social media, we shot some messy, but worth it, looping cinemagraphs and in-studio scenes. The cleanliness of the solid color backgrounds and attention-grabbing hand placement allowed us to create a whole new feel and interest.

Bringing it back home 

Each coffeebar location got its own video. Some are captivating timelapses while others show just how cool the shop and their employees really are.

The reel deal

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 1-5,10. 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

Image 1

Growing in the high desert of Northern Nevada is difficult, but Future Fresh laughed in the face of mono-croppers everywhere and is now bringing fresh produce to the desert. It was only fitting that we made their brand identity represent innovation, all while keeping it light and simple.

Keep it simple

The Fresh Future logo was designed to represent the convenience and quality of aquaponic farming-- shaping the future of modern agriculture with sustainable, local produce for the community.

Logo Design 

Image 4

The Fresh Future color palette was created with inspiration from different crops. Contrasting colors on the warm & cool spectrum leave a lasting feeling of organic novelty.

Natural + Fresh 

We wanted to fully embody what it means to be natural. So we kept it sweet and simple

Images 8-10

To keep your future fresh, your delivery could be no more than a tap away.

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 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.

Lorable uses a color theme inspired by rich yellowed pages of a novel, complemented by the dark blues of the night sky.

Let's Talk Color

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

The DVA color palette was created to reflect the central focus of water in their sustainable farming practice

Aquaponics Through Color 

Images 3,4

The Dayton Valley Aquaponics logo was designed to represent the harmony between technology and tradition, and promoting locally grown, ecologically sustainable food.

Harmony in Design 

Image 6

With eye-catching transitions and photos of their produce and facility, it invites users to learn more about DVA, sustainability, and what it means to grow fresh produce year round.

Eye Catching

The animations and movement on this site are something you'll want to experience for yourself.

See For Yourself

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 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 1-7

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

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

A community platform built scalable before anything else

Designed for scalability 

Developing a bilingual, neutral identity that married verticals together was paramount.

Finding the right fit 

A breathable means of iteration during every step proved beneficial for a breathable family products.

After iteration and iteration, we ruled out the elephant concept. Chosen because of the wisdom and memory of an elephant, it meant a lot to our team but just wasn't resonating with our audience.

Sometimes it just doesn't work

We started to shift our crosshairs towards something a bit more universal. At the end of the day, our mission with Craftlog was straightforward: create a platform to share your passion and tell a story.

Speak to a wider audience

Leveraging geometric precision as well as Fibonacci techniques throughout our mark, we set sail in the direction of the play button concept due to its instant recognition as well as scalable geometry.

Representing all verticals 

Images 9-10

As with the initial exploration, we chose to explore every dimension we could take with the mark before landing on a final approach.

Finding out what you do not like 

And, as usual, we toned it back a bit and infused our vertical marks with our family brandmark to be most safe, which down the road we will learn is a bit more difficult than once thought.

Go bonkers, then simplify

The most universal language you can execute within your product is illustration. So, we made a language of illustration that not only adopts colors but also adopts the emotion between verticals.

Universal language

Image 13

An ever growing set of illustrations was imperative to a successful launch.

Speak my language 

Once we dialed in our initial identity, it was time to set sail and start iterating on prototypes.

Prototypes

Design is an ongoing imperative, and when building products, it’s an indispensable trait to iterate as quickly as possible between design and development.

Our goal is not to reinvent the wheel, but design experiences that speak to the users on an emotional level of connection while improving our algorithm and retention in every step.

Follow me into the dark 

This means leaving no stone unturned - including the wonderful world of email notifications. The last thing in our crosshairs was a spammy, mindless email to receive in the morning.

Show me what you got 

Image 18

With the badass team behind Craftlog, we had very smart algorithms that improve upon themselves based on each email you get. In return, the users receive what they want. On top of that, we built a system for the people at Craftlog to build any retentive loop they wanted to measure.

Get smart 

Dialing in a web interface was paramount to a delightful experience, so we focused on a design for desktop that not only provided its own value to the power users, but provide the same experience to the users who may not be able to download the app.

The final frontier

Web is some of our favorite putting greens to experiment in because it does not require a download but offers the same experience.

Pretty pretty pixels

After nearly 2 years of close-knit design & development, we took all verticals out of beta on the Play Store in November of 2017. Since launch, we are approaching nearly 1 million downloads per vertical, 2500+ reviews with 4 or more stars.

Now that Craftlog is in the wild, we have more feedback daily to make data-driven decisions to improve the product.

Swift development paired with laser-focused design allows agility in response to feedback.

Craftlog is an ongoing journey to create, indulge, and improve a platform to share unforgettable experiences.

Only up from here 

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

We kick things off with a simple home page highlighting featured products and collections, alternatively leading customers to the studio page where they can learn more about the process, designer and shop, or flip through a lookbook of custom jewelry pieces. Fully packed with FAQ, contact forms, customer accounts, three custom product pages and a complete shop experience including an intuitive product filtering system and an encompassing cart page, this website leaves nothing out.

It's All Come Together 

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

Full Width Images 9-10

We created a custom builder to make designing semi-custom jewelry pieces reputable and straightforward. Viewing these decorative elements that we illustrated, customers can pick their favorite embellishment that will be carved into the band of their ring or added to adorn their gem.

Illustrative Detail Work 

Full Width Image 12 

We wanted to make the experience personal. It was important that the customers got to actually see the heart of the company, since it’s so full of passion, integrity and breadth. Using product, lifestyle and portrait photography we we were able to feature the process and product in an intimate way.

Using The Lens

Split Images 14-15, Full Width Image 16

Sometimes one solution just isn’t enough. In the case of Honey and Goldies' diverse options, utilizing three product pages created the ultimate user experience.

This design is complete with multiple photos, an overview of details and standard customizations such as ring size or chain length. Perfect for any ready to ship product with an inventory.

Keeping It Familiar 

Split Images 18-19

Adding a touch of customization and a more personalized process

This page features all of the available customizations per product, such as metal type, gemstone, band detail or ring size. Each set of options per customization is set in a horizontal scroller to enable the user to be able to see and choose each option, without overwhelming them with them all displayed at once. Ideal for any product that lends itself to easy customization for customers that don’t mind a longer make time.

Turning It Up A Notch 

Split Images 21-22

Making the perfect product for any customer, from start to finish.


Customers can create their very own completely tailored jewelry piece by filling out a form with all the required questions. After working through any additional details, Honey and Goldies easily generates a custom page, visible only to the purchaser through their customer account or special link. Complete with a summary, progress updates and a manageable payment system, this feature is the icing on the cake.

Bringing The Heat 

Split Images 24-25, Full Width Image 26

Our Reno, Nevada based jeweler at Honey & Goldies hand crafts 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, 3 custom products 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 1-2 Grid

The RetroRocket Coffee logo was created to express the nostalgia and excitement of mid-century space travel that inspires the RetroRocket team to roast delicous coffee. Reminding us to launch our day with gust and coffee, as well as coming back down to Earth to enjoy more, you guessed it... coffee!

It's All In The Logo 

The RetroRocket Coffee color palette was created with inspiration from parts of the Tarantula Nebula and mid-century design. Contrasting colors on the warm and cool spectrum leave a lasting feeling of wonder and nostalgia.

Let Your Mind Wonder

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.

Analog Illustration & Typography

Whitmore Leather Goods: It's All About the Experience

Worldwide Nation: Uniting Surfers

Deso Supply Co.: Spend a Week In The Woods

Patagonia: Defending Public Lands

Clever Baking Co.: Get Baked

Shawarmageddon: The Last Supper

State of Nevada: Celebrating 150 Years

EDAWN: Pioneers Welcome

ICRAVE: Crystal Drive, A New Hub is Rising

Loki Pet Treats: Better For Our Pets, Better For The Land

Indo Herbal Tonic: Rethinking the Shelf