From revival to launch

Bess founder Christy Mack collaborated with museum board, staff and volunteers + creative studio iii Design to revive and relaunch the San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum after a $5 million renovation.

This team made “Have you played today?” the museum’s brand anchor. Christy and iii Design chose an energetic color palette of blue, green, orange, and maroon and created whimsical illustrations of flowers, magnets, lava, and gears to be the core of the brand’s visual identity. The colors and illustrations make up the museum’s logo and are carried throughout the museum’s collateral, website + social media; even the museum building. The brand’s modern type is often paired with cursive handwriting for a personal, hands-on yet look in digital and print applications.

The fun didn’t stop there. Christy and the museum staff mapped the in-person experience to the brand. They filled three floors and an outdoor area with 30 exhibits, temporary installations and hands on art and science programming. Christy and the museum staff also restructured admission pricing and membership packages, ending in a resounding “yes, we did play today!”

The San Luis Obispo Children’s Museum brand launched online, in print and in the museum’s newly renovated space. The revival renewed public excitement for the museum, with steady increases in attendance, membership, donations, partnerships, volunteers, press, and play year after year.