We love setting the keyboard aside and breaking out the brushes and ink. Nothing speaks originality and soul more than hand-lettered illustrations

Custom Lettering

Archetypes in branding reflect the personality and narrative of a brand— helping to inform both marketing, as well as design and strategy.

What is a Brand Archetype?

From top 1,000 to top 100 design firms! Commence ranks amongst the best creative agencies. 

Commence Studio Named a Member of the Clutch Top 100

When it comes to overcoming fears of rebranding, fear not! Explore how to welcome change and why the reward outweighs the risk.

Facing Your Fears of Rebranding

You're ready to launch your Shopify store and you're wondering if you should use the basic Shopify theme or a Bespoke one. Click here for the comparison

Basic Theme vs Bespoke Shopify Theme Builds

If you are looking for ways to boost your company's sales online, Shopify can be a reliable tool. Here is how Shopify subscriptions can help improve your sales.

How Shopify Subscriptions Can Help Improve Your Sales

Learn how the adoption of sustainable packaging and design at your coffee company can improve its growth potential while lessening its environmental impact.

A Coffee Company Owner's Guide to Sustainable Packaging and Design

As a result out of frustration with traditional insurance shopping, Covered saw an opportunity to create a transparent and streamlined digital insurance marketplace. Their brand mark represents support and stability, expressing their commitment to making insurance easy to understand and purchase.

Humble beginnings

Family

As Covered had grown from a small app startup to a full digital insurance marketplace experience, Commence worked to expand and update their illustrations. This adaptive visual system helps convey complex and stuffy concepts in a meaningful way.

Commence wanted to give these illustrations a more prominent role in telling Covered’s story in a clear, concise, and consistent way. The artwork created is used across all parts of their marketing efforts— website, whitepapers, email campaigns, and presentations.

Refreshed illustrations

Commence created a set of characters to give a sense of community, inclusivity, and friendliness to the Covered brand. This extra human touch to their visual messaging reflects their values and effort to provide an easier insurance experience to people from all walks of life.

Supporting cast

Couples

Animations

“Commence’s award-winning designs consistently result in an increase in customer engagement. Along the way, they’ve been highly responsive, thoughtful, and engaged with the success of the project.”

Covered needed a new consumer-facing website as they quickly outgrew their old site. Their revitalized website includes general information, a partner portal, and consumer portal to purchase insurance.

New coat of paint

Commence created a backend system that can create new landing pages for each type of insurance as needed. As the technology around purchasing insurance expanded, Covered needed a way to meet the growing and broadening demand of all types of insurance.

Flexible systems

The Commence team designed and developed a website that allows customers to easily purchase insurance policies and receive quotes.

Nav (Video)

At Covered, transparent insurance options and services help improve customer engagement and satisfaction for insurance companies. Commence created the partnership site to speak to their business oriented audience in detail.

We mean business to business

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

The illustrations and messaging, created by Commence, is to highlight the unique and traditional ways olive are harvested in Italy with accute attention to detail.

Farmers to the forefront

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.

Organic olive oil packaging with an Italian origin

Four Image Grid 01

Outsiders Hair Studio partnered with us to create their latest summer lookbook. They're passionate about building a confident community while creating a safe and inclusive space for all. Our team designed this lookbook with these values in mind. Photography and editorial design all done in house at our Reno studio.

Rethinking Beauty with Outsiders Hair Studio

First Grid

The Commence designers worked closely with founders Clint and Cory Vernon, and Kyle Kuczynski to create the new visual representation of their brand so customers and stakeholders would make no mistake for what type of services they provide.

So, it's a messaging application?

Animation

Mobile phones have drastically changed how we communicate with loved ones, but also how we connect to businesses. MessageDesk turns text messaging into an asset for business operators, and Commence brought that purpose to the forefront of their brand.

Building a brand narrative

Small-to-medium businesses are a diverse crowd, and MessageDesk provides service-based solutions unique to them. The Commence designers and illustrators created an expansive and inclusive illustration library, apart of their flexible design system, to visually express their service offerings and client-base.

Doctors and plumbers and business executives

“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.”

After meeting with MessageDesk, the Commence digital design team ran evaluations of their website to gain knowledge from data-driven insights and varying user experiences. 

From there, the design was built with goals in mind to not only alleviate issues from their previous site, but give new functionalities for a website that will grow easily with their company.

Strategic web design

MessageDesk also acts as a resource to small business with guides and sales advice. Commence designed components that make them easily accessible and scalable.

Comprehensive components

Team

To compliment the new brand and elevate their presence on the internet, the Commence creative director and  photographer produced headshots and team portraits of the MessageDesk team that show their personalities and professionalism. 

The friendly faces behind the screen

From the subtle email signature, to the app icon, the Commence team designed the graphics and supported their implementation. Transitioning into a new brand can be daunting, but we’re here to help.

Shall every interaction, be a branded one

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

The monogram brand mark symbolizes a swiftness of motion while bringing recognition to the brand’s namesake.

Brand Mark

Logo over gym image; Logo orange bg

Fitlab prides itself on fitness expertise and a welcoming, inclusive service provided by the gym and trainers.

Commence collaborated with the owner, Valerie, to develop a set of taglines and imagery to represent these values.

Fitness For All

A simple yet bright color palette was used to instill the warm and welcoming nature of the gym.

Color Palette

Fitlab’s goal is to cultivate an atmosphere that inspires people to work out and get stronger together. We created a flexible design system utilizing bold typography to communicate brand messaging and wayfinding throughout.

Signage & Corporate Collateral

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.

Brand Identity

Logo on blue bg; spices product photo

Barnacle Foods strives to keep the ecosystems they rely on for ingredients as healthy as they found them. Ensuring that these resources continue to flourish for future generations to enjoy.  The Commence designers created a new logo that gives Barnacle Foods an organically recognizeable mark and scalable design system that reflects their company culture (and namesake).

Hello brandmark

BBQ sauce; Barnacle logo w wave

The Commence designers collaborated closely on the project with founder Lia and operator Rosa to bring forth a unified family of packaging that shows their quirky personalities and culinary creative products.

Bold packaging for unique foods

Horizontal Slider

Barnacle Foods initially came to Commence back in 2019 to design a single label for their Bullwhip Hot Sauce. The brief was to feature a salty seaman and the Bullwhip Kelp ingredients.  In addition to that, Commence pitched an illustration of a salty female character, fitting for the primarily women-lead company. The new hot sauce label and female character was a hit, and Barnacle wanted to build off this momentum!

How it began

The Commence designers created custom labels for all 16 core products; they created a flexible yet consistent design system. Each label features unique illustrations of original characters, Alaskan landscapes, and signature ingredients.  The artwork illustrated around the bottles and jars builds on the brand’s narrative and encourages customers to pick up and turn them to discover more around the bend.

Illustrated labels

Labels

Commence designers and developers worked alongside each other to build an ecommerce website that showcases the new brand identity, captures more search results, makes subscription savings clear and put the product narrative at the forefront.  Barnacle Foods now has in-depth landing pages about Kelp farming, their brand story and provides a faster shopping experience for their customers.

Optimizing the shopping experience

Rhubarb Jam rotating web

“The new brand identity is highly recognizeable and sets Barnacle Foods up to scale with sustainability, exploration, and environmental consciousness at the forefront.”

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.

Alaskan kelp foods & sustainable packaging

The Commence designers collaborated closely on the project with founding principal Travis Brown and the team of directors at the the school to realize an identity that inspires and encourages exploration across the school. 

A brand that resonates with students and faculty

Pharos Academy is unapologetically committed to educating Bronx kids. Casting a huge beacon of light and achievement in one of the lowest-performing school districts in New York City.  The Commence designers developed a graphic toolkit of core elements that give the school a high degree of creative flexibility and recognition.

A Guiding Light

The primary mark is built from a combination of monogram “P” and “A” as well as a lighthouse. The name Pharos is derived from the name of the ancient Lighthouse of Alexandria, one of the seven wonders of the anceint world.

A monogram and a lighthouse

“The identity draws on Pharos Academy’s values to create a modern design system that reinforces the school’s bold, intellectually curious positioning.”

Pharos Academy Charter School believes in the power of team, or CREW as they call it. Commence Studio designed a set of crests to represent the crew that is the school.

The shields

What creature would you most often find near a lighthouse? A seagull no doubt. The team created a flexible set of designs featuring the fierce sea-loving character.

Charter schools have mascots too

To assist and guide how the Pharos Academy staff and students show up and contribute everyday, the team developed a set of illustrations relaying the values of Radical Inclusivity, Collaborative Curiousity, Storytelling, and more.

Illustrating Community Culture

After establishing the brand identity for Pharos Academy, the team moved forward onto the web design, strategy and development phase of the project.

Showcasing the brand to the web

Our studio worked to create a fully customized framework and design components for the Pharos Academy website. The goal was to create an easily navigated digital funnel for prospective staff members, students and their families.

Getting people where they need to go quickly

Web GIF

Pharos Academy encourages the unique pathways of individuals and the design studio built the website to match that sentiment through visual storytelling and interactive pages.

Better to be bold

“Unconventional layouts bring a refreshing look to the educational institute’s website without compromising usability, legibility, and professionalism.”

The merchandise designs were inspired by sports branding and streetwear to give a “It’s cool to stay in school” subliminal message to students and staff.

Dressed for success

Banner designs showcase the school’s brand an evoke a sense of pride and familiarity for students passing them in halls each day. 

Brand systems for the halls

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

It became clear as recreational cannabis became legal, that they needed an accessible resource for people to browse products, discover daily deals, and learn about the local regulations.

Questions on cannabis?

Commence has created a new website for Sierra Well that perfectly conveys its mission to bring high quality cannabis discreetly and conveniently to adults 21+.   The dashboard-like experience created a bold and accessible interface that responds seamlessly on mobile phones.

Wellness

Commence designed large, bold typography helping guide folks who have dificulty reading smaller texts. Themed cards and comprehensive location information helped make wellness more accessible for this community.

Clear categories

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

Cingulate is committed to driving innovation across industries to enhance communities around the world. The Commence designers worked with founders Abraham Moyal and Avi Cohen to build a brand identity that encompasses the diversity and integrity of the investment group.

Lending clarity to complexity

Commence designed the brand family for all of Cingulate’s verticals: Ventures, Technology, Commodities, Real Estate, and Sports & Entertainment.

A branded house for investments

For the Cingulate brand, the primary colors chosen are sophisticated shades of gray and black with pop accents of yellow, used throughout typography and in photo treatments for emphasis and to act as a signature of the brand.

With an expansive investment offering across many fields, Cingulate needed a way to speak directly to each client and their unique needs while also giving a clear overview about their mission as a whole.  Commence web designers developed an array of storytelling components and interactive sections to hold your attention and guide the journey through Cingulate’s services.

Tailor-made solutions

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

Gravallese Co. products are driven by 100 years of heritage in barbering, by barbers for both themselves and those in the chairs before them.  For products created with meticulously researched natural ingredients, we built an organic brand narrative, and a visual identity that reflects attention to detail.

Building a brand based on tradition and advancement

Vinnie, the master barber, strives to do better; they’re making more sustainable & plant-based grooming products. Our packaging designs support that effort and highlight each of those key ingredients.  The product photography was inspired by stone masonry, dedication to craft, and the unity between rough and beauty.

Steps towards sustainable packaging

The charm of the Gravallese Co. flagship barber shop isn’t limited to it’s in-person location. We implemented and themed the gravallese.co website to be just as welcoming, accessible, and informative as the shop experience. Utilizing Shopify for fast checkouts and driving sales, we were able to guide their team to launch and start selling online.

The digital storefront, ecommerce

We add personality and storytelling by drawing fierce animal characters paired with raw expressions of the plant ingredients. Perhaps we're all wild animals in need of a little grooming. 

Illustration as information and inspiration

Lid illustrations

We made it clear for customers to find their desired product with bright-yet-earthy colored labels, prominantly displayed ingredients, and themed categories.

Creating product families

Gravallese Co is a brand that appeals to those with and without a beard. Barbers and non-barbers. Speaking the notion that self care and wanting to look your best is available for everyone.

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.

Italian Heritage Brand & Grooming Products

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. 

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.

Custom Lettering

Pharos Academy

Black Rabbit Mead Company

Bombadil Flower Co

Coffeebar

Patagonia Upper West Side

Fresh Future

Retro Rocket Coffee

Clever Baking Co.

Shawarmageddon

Blackbird Go

Patagonia

Ritual Baking Co.

The Basement

State of Nevada

Turn Loose

ICRAVE

Loki Pet Treats

Indo Herbal Tonic

Piñon Bottle Co.