Rachel Isadora

Branding an Artist

Client: Rachel Isadora, a painter exploring the movement of the figure in space.

Deliverables: Brand Strategy / Brand Messaging / Brand Identity / Web Design and Development

Rachel Isadora, a dancer herself, had been framed as an artist who painted dance. Shifting away from this narrow definition, I wanted to expand on this notion and position her as a painter who has the gift of capturing the essence of movement.

The artworks speak for themselves and are the selling points, but Rachel needed a simple brand identity to create a cohesive look that translated across her digital footprint. In addition, she needed an artist statement and bio that captured her distinction and vision as an artist.

This project culminated in a freshly designed portfolio site, an artist’s catalog and curated Instagram content.

Betsy Martin - Design

Kate Noonan - Copy

Mia Da Camara - Web Development

Sparkle-ist

Demystifying Sparkling Wine

Client: Sparkle-ist, an online sparkling wine club.

Deliverables: Brand Strategy / Brand Name / Brand Messaging / Brand Identity / Web Design

The founder had a clear vision, but no name nor defined value proposition. We were charged with developing the name and full brand identity, inclusive of brand messaging. 

Sparkling wine can be mysterious and confusing, mainly because it is less known or understood in comparison to still wine. While Prosecco has spearheaded the diversification of wine’s consumption occasions in the USA and the category has steadily moved away from its one-dimensional image as a special celebratory drink, it can also still feel incredibly one-note, especially when the emphasis is on bubbles. A competitor audit of other national premium online sparkling wine clubs showed that while some of the competitors attempted to unlock depth, most were still falling square in surface celebration, female attitude or using pink and gold, all the cliche tropes of the category. 

Enter Sparkle-ist, an exclusive yet unpretentious online sparkling wine club that believes that anyone can drink sparkling wine, if you understand it. This is not a club for members, it’s a club for explorers, who want to go beneath the surface of bubbles. 

Being a male founder in an urban setting (Washington D.C.) and sourcing products from small growers across the world, I recommended that we position the club as a navigator that attracts a diverse and curious crowd. As a member, you become immersed in the world of sparkling wine and can ultimately become a Sparkle-ist. 

From a design perspective, we wanted to avoid being literal and show glasses or bubbles, but rather create an abstract sense of effervescence that has both masculine and feminine appeal. The core brand identity was expanded into multiple pieces of packaging collateral and the club officially launched in May 2022. 

Betsy Martin - Design

Kate Noonan - Copy

Grand Cata

True South

Client: Grand Cata, a boutique Latin American wine, spirits, beer and food store.

Deliverables: Brand Strategy / Brand Architecture / Brand Identity / Brand Messaging / Web Design

After a few years as an independent and specialized wine store, Grand Cata was expanding to a second location and increasing their offering to include prepared food and a more expansive grocery offering. They needed to go beyond being known as the local wine store and more of a Latin American specialist across the realm of food, beverage and even culture. I dialed into the insight that while we often look north for inspiration, the south has as much richness and diversity. I also created a framework for the brand that allowed the offering to be organized more clearly. From a design perspective, we took inspiration from Latin American deco to fully own the brand’s proud and rich southern roots. Grand Cata has been voted 50 best American Wine Retailers by Wine Enthusiast in both 2020 and 2021.

Salta With Us - Design & Copy

Mia Da Camara - Web Development

Clipper Teas

Tea from Across the Pond

Client: Clipper Teas

Deliverables: Marketing Strategy / Social, Digital and Trade Marketing

Originally from the UK and well established in that market, the brand had launched in the US, but did not have any local marketing support nor a defined marketing strategy. After developing the go-to-market strategy for the US market, I was asked to execute that marketing strategy. With a small creative team, I developed all the social, digital and trade marketing for the brand locally from mid 2019 to mid 2022. In that time, we managed to amass approximately 55 000 plus fans across their social channels, which started from a zero base. By targeting specific geolocations based on Clipper’s in-store availability, we also managed to generate awareness beyond the west coast, where they originally launched and into the east coast.

Betsy Martin - Design

Kate Noonan - Copy

Justin Countiss - Digital Strategy

Don Ciccio & Figli

Re-birth and Revival

Client: Don Ciccio & Figli, an Italian herbal liqueur distillery in Washington D.C.

Deliverables: Brand Strategy / Brand Messaging / Brand Identity / Website Design

Most brands in this category, like Campari, tell a story of recipes being passed down from one generation to the next. However, unlike the competition, Don Ciccio & Figli’s story is one of revival. Traditional family recipes are being revived 3 generations later from the Amalfi Coast now in the USA. The tagline “Reborn, never re-invented” was developed to honor this sentiment and old family photography was paired with bold colors to signal the clash of classic and contemporary. In addition, unlike other competitors, Don Ciccio & Figli offers a range of products, so I opted to focus on the spectrum of bitterness to organize the range and celebrate the flavors. Don Ciccio & Figli was voted Editor’s Pick in 2019 by Imbibe Magazine.

Betsy Martin - Design

Rob Rutherford - Copy

Mia Da Camara - Web Development