Reimagining Harrisonburg

Client-Based Brand Identity Project

The Friendly City

Harrisonburg, Virginia, is a historic Shenandoah Valley town reimagined through a cohesive brand identity, celebrating its rich heritage while nestling a rapidly growing state university.

Harrisonburg, Virginia is well-known in the region for its great university and wonderful downtown, containing many local businesses and restaurants.

Key Words

Welcoming
Genuine
Vibrant
Charming

Programs

Photoshop
Illustrator
After Effects
Apple Keynote

Brief

The Concerns

Harrisonburg lacked visual consistency across tourism materials, event graphics, and civic communications. As home to James Madison University and a growing refugee population, the city needed an identity that felt inclusive, contemporary, and authentic, drawing visitors to the downtown.

The Goal

Improvements across visitor engagement, greater recognition and consistency, and economic development.

The Inspiration

Court Square is located in the center of Harrisonburg's downtown and features the Rockingham County Courthouse. It is an extremely unique building in Harrisonburg's landscape, so the logo's concept revolves around this central building.

The Outcome

Harrisonburg, Virginia's rebrand will further attract visitors and students alike to the area, helping them discover its quaint downtown and unique features.

Harrisonburg’s brand unification will improve its reputation among various communities in the city, as residents will feel more connected, students will feel pride with their university’s town, and visitors will respond better with a more established brand identity.

Additionally, brand guidelines will be adopted and used across various city events, which will improve its identity.

Brand Guide

This is the brand guide for the city of Harrisonburg, Virginia. This guide includes many aspects of a clear and strong identity for a brand: logo specifics, clear space policies, color specifications, logo variations, incorrect logo usage, and typography.

Discover more!

DOE

Brand Identity

Three Communities, One Changing World

Typographic Design

By the Numbers

Editorial Design

JMU
Marketing & Branding

Marketing Design

Zouri

Web Design