The Hollow Mill
The Hollow Mill had an existing brand identity that was made very early in their ownership of the rural property. However, as time passed and personal and business priorities shifted, the initial name and style no longer suited their needs.
Blockhead led the design of new branding, social media post templates, and print materials.
DESIGN SERVICES FOR SMALL BUSINESSES
“We need it to tie in and be connected to the property, but it also needs to be flexible and adaptable to future products or ventures we explore”
- Branding Wish List
BRAND DESIGN
GRAPHIC DESIGN
MOTION DESIGN
UX UI DESIGN
WEB DESIGN
Brandmark
The base design of the brandmark was decided upon early in the process by the clients - a millstone to tie in the history of their property. While that clear direction could make a design process easier, it came with the challenge of ensuring that this millstone inspired design did not blend in with other mill branded venues in the region.
Unique Markers
Tying in the unique aspects of the property was an essential part of the brand design process that helped The Hollow Mill stand out from the rest. The Hollow Mill is surrounded by forest, with criss-crossing trails and the Noisy River winding throughout.
Taking inspiration from the wooded scenery and unique features they had to offer, the millstone concept was transformed into a natural, curving brandmark. Unifying the history of the millhouse with the present experience of wandering the surrounding land in a way that could stretch into the future.
Nicole took the time to understand not just our design preferences but also delved into our farm's unique identity. Her insightful questions and genuine curiosity allowed her to create a path tailored precisely to our needs. It was evident that she wasn't just crafting designs; she was weaving a story that resonated with us on a deeper level.
What sets Nicole apart is her ability to infuse warmth and approachability into her designs. The logo, website, product packaging, and various other elements she created don't just look stunning; they feel organic and comforting. It's as if she managed to capture the very essence of our farm, something that can often be challenging to convey through design.
Her designs have become an integral part of our identity, and we couldn't be happier with the results. If you're looking for a graphic designer who not only understands your vision but also adds a touch of warmth and authenticity, Nicole at Blockhead Design Studio is the perfect choice. We're immensely grateful that she was there to help us launch our business!
Hayley Bailey, Owner/Operator
Flexibility
Looking to the future of The Hollow Mill, the clients wanted their brand to grow alongside them as they expanded from farm stays to physical products. The brandmark worked well as a cohesive tie-in in label and packaging designs, however not every colour worked for every potential product type. The mood boards and discussions around colour always fell back onto this concern.
To allow for a high degree of flexibility down the road, the palette in the final branding guide was far more inclusive than would normally be found. A full UI style suite of colours was selected for the brand - using the blue tones for main branding purposes, but allowing for the palette to change based on use case. Creating an effortless consistency across products and tones.
