BRANDING | CREATIVE

Life without creativity is no life at all.

For over 30 years with the same look and message, Richland Academy of the Arts came to us ready for a refresh. The mission? Give this beloved creative institution a brand that matched its energy, heart, and impact.

Richland Academy is more than just a place to take dance or music lessons. It’s a vibrant hub where kids and adults alike come to explore, express, and grow. It’s packed with passion, powered by community, and grounded in the belief that the arts can have a unique affect on individuals and a community alike.

In short, it’s not your average arts academy. And now, it doesn’t look like one either.

DISCOVERY AND RESEARCH

They already had the story. Our process gave it a voice.

We kicked things off with a deep dive into who Richland Academy of the Arts really is—not just what they do, but why it matters. We sat down with their team and, through a series of guided discovery meetings, explored their history, their target audiences, their curriculum, and unpacked the heart of their mission for creating space for creative expression, especially for kids who may not thrive in traditional classrooms.

We toured the building, talked with key stakeholders, and walked their board through a step-by-step process to uncover their unique voice—the one that shows up in every lesson, every recital, and every breakthrough moment in the studio. These details matter. Without them, you risk building a brand on personal preferences instead of purpose. Good design isn’t about what someone likes—it’s about what’s right for the mission, the audience, and the message.

The takeaway was clear: they aren’t just teaching the arts. They’re shaping identity, building confidence, and changing lives. And their brand needed to say that—loud and clear.

“Beauty matters. Creativity is a good in and of itself. And the importance of the imagination can’t be measured—not because it ranks low on the list of things a community needs to thrive, but instead because without it the idea of living in a community in the first place loses much of its appeal.

In fact, the state of the world bears a direct correlation to the quality of the attendant imaginations able to expand through novel outlets and create new things.”

STRATEGY AND SOLUTION

From one flowing line, a full identity took shape.

Then it was time to bring the brand to life.


We brought their key stakeholders in on the creative process, with regular check-ins to discuss brand personalities, messaging types and voice, art direction, and idea development.

TThen, our creative team got to work on a visual identity that captured the full impact of Richland Academy—not just on the students and supporters inside its walls, but on the geographical community in which it resides. The challenge? Communicate creativity, transformation, self-expression, and empowerment—all through a single mark.

So we built a system around a single, flowing line—simple, elegant, and full of movement. It became the foundation for RAA’s new logo and extended into unique variations for each discipline they teach: art, dance, martial arts, music, and theater. We created distinct icons for each—giving every program its own visual voice within a cohesive, unified system.


The result: a brand that feels as alive, expressive, and interconnected as the people it represents.

Art

Dance

Martial Arts

Music

Theater

Primary Palette

Crimson Red

#F1232E

Pixie Purple

#30185F

Pearl Gray

#E8E8E8

Secondary Palette

Lavish Lavender

#9A86FF

Electric Ultramarine

#222AF3

Golden Poppy

#FFC807

Vivid Cerulean

#20A3EF

Caribbean Green

#57D690

Noir Black

#282828

    • BRAND IDENTITY SYSTEM

    Built for today’s needs and tomorrow’s momentum.

    We wrapped the project with a comprehensive brand guide—a go-to playbook for everything Richland Academy’s new identity stands for. It’s not just a set of rules; it’s a clear, easy-to-use resource for designing and writing in Richland’s new voice and style.


    Built for future staff, creative partners, and anyone telling the RAA story, the guide helps keep things consistent, confident, and unmistakably them—whether it’s a class flyer, a social post, or something that doesn’t exist yet.

    This brand was built to grow, and now they’ve got the tools to grow with it.

    • As we wrapped the project, something bigger had taken shape. The Richland Academy team walked away with more than a new brand—they had sharper tools, stronger alignment, and a renewed sense of energy behind the mission.


    By working through the process together, we uncovered more clarity, more confidence, and a deeper understanding of what makes Richland Academy of the Arts such a powerful force for creative growth in their community.

    Let’s get started.

    We’re jazzed about the idea of partnering with purpose-driven organizations and people. The first step is getting to know each other and jiving with what wakes you up each morning. Reach out and let’s explore what that looks like.

    Reach Out