Studio Murnane Design

Things we are loving: part 4.



Moodboarding is an art form that we take seriously. We curate art direction, typography, and illustration to align with our clients and establish a clear creative direction before the real design work begins. Each image is a layer that adds to the rich brand world we could build together.



Not every board makes the cut, though. This our love letter to the ones that got away...

Research. Moodboards. Creative rabbit holes. A few unexpected turns.

The creative journey is rarely linear, but a strong process helped us shape a brand identity for that’s designed to inspire people to become the hero of their own story. ⚡️

Meet ⚡ A training ground for life.

Inspired by the Hero’s Journey, we built a brand identity designed to empower everyday people to become the hero of their own story. Blending earthy tones, electric accents, and bold visuals that move as hard as the community behind them.

It’s no surprise they’ve taken home Best of Modesto Gold Honors two years running. 🏆👏

Creating a brand is about more than just beautiful imagery. Before we ever open a design file, we listen. Really listen. To your vision, your values, the story only your brand can tell. We call it storylistening, and it’s at the heart of everything we do.

From there, we build together, developing a strategy that gives your brand clear direction and a visual identity that earns trust and grows with you. The work is rooted in who you are and designed to build lasting equity with the people who matter most.

To the bold, driven founders who’ve let us into their world: thank you. We’re honored to be part of the journey.

Designing a personalized logomark for Laura Putnam started where all great ideas do: with pen to paper.

Paired with an artisanal logotype and non-traditional display serif, the brand identity mirrors Laura’s classical-reimagined design sensibilities. Beautifully layered and texture-saturated, with raw edges that signal human craft.

The only thing better than a beautiful typeface is a sidekick that brings out a whole new side of its personality 😉

The magic of typography often lives in contrast: pairing structured with expressive, soft with sharp, classic with unexpected. Together, two typefaces can create a rhythm and tension that form a distinct visual language.

Swipe to see a few combinations we’ve used recently 👉

Working with your hands isn’t just nostalgic… it opens the door to discoveries you’d never make behind a keyboard or with AI. The best ideas are often hiding in a stack of old magazines or tucked into a book spine.

We call it cultural foraging: stepping away from the digital rush to gather textures, tones, and references from the real world. For this project, that meant pinning together pages from fashion editorials (thank you Arts Annex) to gather inspiration from outside the typical skincare and food spaces.

Getting a little messy (and even uncomfortable) with a mood board or photoshoot can inspire serendipitous creative sparks.

Art Direction
Photography

Next up in things we are loving: paper 😍

Sometimes, iconic colors are built around the paper. This ensures that we are able to match all printed pieces perfectly across every invitation, envelope, and business card. Colored paper also brings a certain richness and depth that printing alone can’t replicate.

Here are a few paper stocks we’ve sourced recently:
Takeo Biotape Reddish Brown for
Neenah Stardream Kunzite for
Colorplan Racing Green for
Gmund Cocoa Powder for
Colorplan Mid Green and Lessebo Pashmina for
Neenah Ultra White Felt Folding Board for

What paper books are you reaching for lately?