Heron Inn
Identity and Brand Strategy
For this project I was tasked with the hypothetical rebrand of a small inn and spa in La Conner, WA.
Meant to be a relaxing getaway, the inn was in need of a facelift and a change to their presentation to fit the needs of today’s clientele.
My goal for the Heron Inn was to emulate a clean and peaceful feeling, while embracing the cool tones of the Pacific Northwest and the elegant poise of the great blue heron.
Moodboard
Identity Marks
The shape of the heron gives a sense of calm, if you have ever seen a heron fly it is quite a sight, they beat their wings very slowly and glide through the air with such grace and fluidity. I set out to honor both their gentle movements and calm nature, which in turn leads to the energy customers expect from an inn and spa getaway.
Word Marks
For my word marks I wanted to continue to emulate the heron, specifically its long, elegant legs. By using a san serif typeface that was tall but readable, I was able to continue the theme of minimalist grace and serenity.
Elements & Color
Blue is a color often associated with calmness, perfect for a spa. However I wanted to specify the color to fit the Pacific Northwest, Nature based branding if you will. I was inspired by the “blue hour”, which comes just after sunset or before sunrise drenching our world in a moody blue grey. As times of day also correspond to the tides, I used a line based pattern as a gentle nod to the serenity of the area. Because this hour is connected to the position of the sun, I complemented my pallet with yellow to fully emulate a blue hour sunrise in La Conner Washington.
Space
The ideal interior to pair with this rebrand is minimal, yet still sticks with the color pallet. A clack of clutter combined with subtle yellow accents provide a space to relax and reflect in between trips to the spa.
