Art direction // Strategy // Brand system development
James Dayton Design is a full-service architectural firm based in Minneapolis with a focus on contemporary design solutions. In February of 2019, founder James Dayton unexpectedly passed away and months later, the design studio found themselves at a crossroads.
JDD approached Ostrom Creative in need of a rebrand that would represent the growing company while honoring James Dayton’s legacy.
Working with our copywriter, I led the effort to concept four distinct route options. We presented mood boards, high-level descriptions, word clouds, and web mockups imagining what a fresh homepage could look like.
We suggesting incorporating elements of James Dayton in a variety of ways — utilizing his signature or writing in a logomark iteration, playing up his expertise and accolades that the company was founded upon in the way they tell their story, alluding to making history with history: James Dayton made his mark, now we’re making ours, or keeping the photography people-focused with JD at the center.
Client: JDD Studio formerly James Dayton Design
Agency: Ostrom Creative
Creative Director: Cara Ostrom
Design Lead: Kylee Hawkinson
Copywriter: Malena Larsen