Ever since I was a young student of graphic design I have been drawn to simple icons and hand lettered word marks. I’ve loved how letters fit together. How they express deeper meaning through flow, illustration and texture. Each letter an individual picture, AND a puzzle piece of the greater picture. I love how iconography, abstraction and simple shapes can convey a message and represent something much wider.
This work is challenging work to do thoughtfully. Especially when many heads and hearts are invested in the final result and the result is tied to livelihoods. As a former brick and mortar small business owner, I know all too well how much pressure can rest on a brand. But I also know the ease with which a brand must flow to attract the right customers. It takes an artist…truly, not an ai generator, to give this task the attention it deserves.
Peruse some highlights of my career below and contact me karliafairbanks@gmail.com with any questions about your projects or ideas.
One of my favorite projects because I was the client. Lucky You was a music venue, restaurant, nightclub I started and co-owned from 2019 through 2023. While the business was short-lived, I really loved working and building the brand over the 4 years I was a part of it. I wanted it to be playful, easily palatable, and recognizable by its color.
The Knitting Factory is a music industry corporation with multiple music venues, a management company, a record label, and more across the U.S. They came to me with a rebrand project where we had to keep the Knit ball, but everything else could change. Because it was already such a well-established company with a very wide range of customers and services, the brand exploration had its limitations. I do love where we ended up, it’s so much more modern and full of life.
A counseling group for families and couples. This logo is about the landscape of relationship and connection. We wanted it to display the idea that when you enter into Heartland you have access to this landscape of connection. A place where you can build, find home, healing, and love.