ENSEMBLE is a new clothing brand inspired by the local theatre industry, with the aim to foster creativity and inclusivity.
SKIP TO WORKSharing roots and a passion in musical theater, the client approached me to work with them on a new clothing brand "made for and by theater people." With development already starting, they shared with me their vision of the brand's visual identity, and asked me to create their signature, as well as shirt designs for their launch. From there, we held deeper discussions and worked closely throughout the entire process, focusing on the signature first, followed by the shirt designs.
In consultations with the client, the established central concept for the brand was the sense of community and shared passion for the arts, as illustrated by the name ENSEMBLE. I researched on the themes and technical aspects that people often associated with the performing arts, and used this in addition to my own understanding and knowledge of theatre.
I was deeply interested and involved in the production aspect of theatre, and I wanted to explore this as an homage to the people working behind the scenes to make a show happen.
Some concepts that stood out in this exploration were the black box theatre, the shadows created through light, and the different colors used in stage lighting.
Tools: Adobe Illustrator
For both the logo and shirt designs, I funneled down the best iterations and discussed them thoroughly with the client.
I exhibited the designs by themselves and how they would appear on shirts to make sure that they have a clear picture, and that they can choose best what they want.
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
Once we decided the concepts and direction we wanted to take, I did all the revisions necessary to make sure that the designs were clean and ready for printing or posting.
Together with the client, I did a rundown of their feedback and comments, and ensured that they were satisfied with the work.
Tools: Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop
We created the brand signature, as well as two shirt designs for their product launch in the Overture Collection. The designs for the collection focused on introducing the brand to the community, and showing its vision through the style.
The preliminary imagery seen in the brand mark is a stage to easily associate the brand with theater; and the letter “E” to clearly distinguish the name of the brand. The main inspiration for the logo, however, was the black box theater, a simple but versatile performance space. This reflected the goal of the brand in creating a tight-knit, inclusive, and creative community. Meanwhile, the logotype has a bold, modern, and active feel that portrays the direction the brand is taking.
One half of the Overture Collection, this aptly named “Spotlight” shirt features the brand logo underlined by the brand name, colored with hues used in stage lighting (i.e. red, green, blue, cyan, magenta, yellow, and amber.) The back is designed with the brand logotype, repeated to create a squarish figure made by the collective, and also colored similarly to the front.
The other half of the collection, called the “Blackout” shirt, is designed at the front with the brand name shadowed by tints of the red, yellow, and blue. The back of the shirt shows the brand mark repeated and in the same colors, with the logotype beside it.
