I GREW UP GOING TO BUMBERSHOOT IN SEATTLE.
It has a sentimental and special place in my heart, which inspired me to create my own interpretation of their annual branding.
This was one of the first times I played with basing a brand around an illustrative approach, along with my initial experimentation with hand lettering a logo.
Going in, I researched the basic demographics of Bumbershoot attendees. They tend to range from older teens to young adults. Bumbershoot also attracts many young families. I kept this demographic in mind throughout the design process.
PAST BUMBERSHOOT BRANDING FOCUSED ON THE CITY ENVIRONMENT.
While this made sense, I wanted to lean into the wildlife that Washington State is known for. I created illustrations of three primary animals: a cougar, an elk, and a salmon.
The bright colors and abstract shapes help tie this branding into an urban setting, while also making it playful and vibrant. It is appealing to many attendees, from small children to seniors in college.
ONE OF MY FAVORITE PARTS OF THIS PROJECT WAS THE SKETCHING.
Bumbershoot has had a wide variety of playful branding throughout the years. When I began, I wanted to cover multiple different kinds of logos. I played with letterforms, image and type combinations, and even abstracted shapes. I had fun with almost every sketch, and choosing a final direction was very difficult!
