Building a creative identity within a journalistic legacy
Role
Lead designer
Duration
Q1 - Q2 2020
Company
The Seattle Times
Primary programs
Adobe XD / AE / PS
OVERVIEW
The Seattle Times’ Content Studio
The Seattle Times Content Studio needed a digital home that matched their creative capabilities. As the publishing landscape evolves, so do their creative services. My challenge? Establish a new identity and design a website that would showcase their storytelling expertise while making it easy for potential clients to envision working together.
BACKGROUND
Challenges
Establish a distinct brand identity that aligned with Seattle Times while highlighting unique creative services
Create a platform to effectively showcase the studio's capabilities to potential advertising clients
Design an engaging experience that demonstrated creative expertise while maintaining professional credibility
Balance innovative design with straightforward navigation to appeal to marketing decision-makers
THE PROCESS
Brand Development
Developed a comprehensive visual identity for the Content Studio, including logo design that maintained connection to the Seattle Times master brand while establishing the studio as a distinct creative entity.
Created brand guidelines that defined the studio's visual language, balancing journalistic credibility with creative energy to position the studio as both trustworthy and innovative.
Existing The Seattle Times Media Solutions branding
Two moodboards were merged
RESULTS
Branded site launch
Designed a responsive website with engaging, dynamic elements that demonstrated the studio's creative capabilities through the experience itself. Focused on creating an intuitive journey showcasing services, past work, and team expertise.
Developed detailed page layouts and specifications to guide development, ensuring consistent implementation across all devices and maintaining design integrity throughout the build process.
Site styles
A single responsive page
Results & Impact
The launch provided a dedicated platform highlighting Seattle Times' creative services, enhancing client engagement and effectively showcasing the studio's capabilities.
The website served as both a portfolio and a sales tool, helping potential clients understand the unique value proposition of working with a publisher-based creative studio.