826 RUSH

Branding Identity

Software:
Figjam, Illustrator, Photoshop, After Effects

Collaborators:
Morgan Guerrieri (Research)

Timeline:
8 Weeks

Final Deliverables:
Brand System
6- Products to be sold by your brand
Store Front Design
Vehicle Wrap Design
Logo animation

826 National is a network of youth tutoring and writing centers across the United States, each featuring a unique facade that reflects the character of its location while generating a steady stream of income. For this project, I was tasked with researching a specific town and developing a distinctive 826 store identity based on its local culture and history. My assigned location was Morgantown, West Virginia, a town with deep roots in the mining industry. The goal was to create a store concept that introduced children to the world of mining in a fun and engaging way, without the dangers historically associated with the profession.

The result was Rush, a store designed to make children feel like they’ve "struck gold." The store’s theme centered around the thrill of discovery, offering products that spark excitement and curiosity. Items sold at the emporium included mystery presents, sticker packs, cartons of milk children could drink straight from, and scratch-off adventure maps—each designed to capture the imagination and keep kids coming back for more.

RESEARCH

ITERATIONS

ASSETS

STATIONERY

PRODUCTS

STORE ASSETS

LOGO ANIMATION

INSIGHTS

I learned a lot about how systems work together. The more research you do in the beginning, the more ideas and creativity you can generate in later stages of the process. A lack of research can lead to problems down the road, forcing you to backtrack to previous steps. I found it important to understand how to incorporate different ideas into various products, ensuring that their packaging doesn’t all look identical.