Logo & Brand Development | Art Direction
Austin Vibes
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - Austin, TX
Gold Award at the American Advertising Awards
(AAF Buffalo ADDYs)
I led the art direction and brand development for Austin Vibes, a retail concept at Austin-Bergstrom International Airport that celebrates the city’s creative spirit. The bold, colorful identity system extended across signage, packaging, and merchandise, capturing Austin’s eclectic energy. The project earned a Gold Award at the American Advertising Awards (AAF Buffalo ADDYs) for its cohesive and culturally resonant brand design.
Overview
Austin Vibes is a contemporary retail concept located inside Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS). The store was designed to embody the city’s creative, free-spirited energy — offering travelers and locals alike a curated selection of Austin-inspired merchandise, souvenirs, and lifestyle goods. The goal was to develop a brand identity that authentically captured the city’s artistic culture while remaining approachable and versatile across multiple retail touchpoints.
Challenge
The challenge was to create a visual identity that felt distinctly “Austin” — bold, eclectic, and full of personality — while maintaining enough structure to function seamlessly across signage, merchandise, packaging, and digital applications. The brand needed to connect with travelers unfamiliar with the city while still resonating with locals who know its creative pulse.
Process
As Art Director and Lead Designer, I began by exploring Austin’s visual and cultural cues — from its music and art scene to its mix of vintage and modern aesthetics. This research informed a logo and brand system built around vibrant color palettes, playful typography, and adaptable graphic patterns. The visual identity was developed to remain consistent yet flexible across a wide range of product and environmental applications, ensuring brand recognition at every scale.
Solution & Impact
The resulting Austin Vibes identity is a celebration of Austin’s individuality — bold, colorful, and effortlessly cool. The cohesive brand system extended across all retail touchpoints, from in-store signage and packaging to digital assets and merchandise design.
The project earned a Gold Award at the American Advertising Awards (AAF Buffalo ADDYs) for Integrated Brand Identity Campaign, recognizing its creativity, cohesion, and authentic reflection of Austin’s vibrant culture.
