The Story Behind Our Branding (and Chickens!)

When it came time to develop the branding for The Artisans Cooperative, the working group of organizers approached the project creatively. In this post, we’ll tell the story of how we came up with our branding, including the intriguing chicken theme.

The branding effort was led by Miss Thera of Atypically Artistic, a multi-passionate creative educator, artist, playwright, and neurodiversity advocate, and Ryn Lower of Tired Fox Art, a freelance illustrator and designer. 

Visual Elements

The visual elements of the brand were developed first through color. Thera produced several rounds of color palettes that went to a vote before the organizers, until there was a consensus. 

The resulting palette runs a spectrum of five hypnotically beautiful colors from deep blue, teal, coral, peach, and parchment. The colors were chosen specifically to be inclusive and accessible, including through a color-blindness test. Thera also selected complimentary fonts that were both available on common computer programs and apps and demonstrated our values. 

Together, we produced the following Brand Statement: 

The colors, fonts, and other style choices we have made all serve a definitive purpose: to tell others who we are. Our colors are smart yet casual, friendly and professional. The fonts convey artistic values that feel welcoming in a competitive marketplace. All elements of design are rooted in accessibility for all users.

Logo Design (About the Chickens)

Moving forward into the logo design, the team was inspired by the commonality between the words “coop” and “co-op.” What began as a joke quickly turned into a serious discussion about chickens. The organizers were animated by the idea of a visual mascot representing the diversity, range, and quirkiness of artisans.

The more the group discussed chickens, the more appropriate they seemed. Beyond the fun word play, chickens, like art, were observed to be something we all have in common: they are ubiquitous worldwide, rural and urban. 

Illustrator Ryn stated, “Whenever I see the word cooperative abbreviated as “coop”, my mind immediately goes to chickens and hen houses. Chickens as a theme for an artisan cooperative may be considered a little silly, but it’s also fun and unique and that’s something I think is vital for a brand to stand out.”

The hustle of chickens resonated with painter and ceramics artist Cori Jacobs of Cori Jacobs Gallery: “Chickens are busy. Have you ever seen them go about their day? They’re just constantly pecking around and hustling.” 

Freelance writer Valerie Franklin remarked on the parallel of an artist’s work with the chicken’s eggs in the economic system, “In Orwell’s Animal Farm, the chickens were the first to rebel under the leadership of the pigs, so they could keep their eggs.” 

Ryn illustrated the chickens, sharing her vision board as it progressed. The team was excited about using the diversity of chicken breeds, and other fowl, to represent the diversity and inclusiveness we intend for the cooperative: “Everyone belongs in this coop.” 

Illustrator Ryn provided this Artist Statement on the chicken illustrations: 

Character illustrations are my strength and really what I am best at. I was excited to have the opportunity to make something for the cooperative and chickens were the first thing to come to mind. I can’t recall ever drawing chickens before so at first I was nervous, but the very first sketch I made (bottom right) resonated with me.

To have a good logo, I have only a couple rules. It must be easy to replicate, such that a child could draw it from memory and it should consist only of simple shapes, like circles and hearts. I kept those principles in mind while sketching and I’m happy with the results.

Designer Thera turned the chicken illustrations into the logo and designed the final Branding Kit, which is available here.