INTRO

Barbershop — Redwood Valley, CA 95470
Branding & Creative Direction: Moodboards

You shared two anchors—a classic badge logo you like and a photo of the current storefront—to help us zero in on a look that feels local, trustworthy, and built to last. We translated that into three clear visual territories you can react to: Vintage Vibes, Modern Mood, and Groomed Grandeur. Each direction honors barbershop heritage (pole, tools, craft) while solving for what matters most in Redwood Valley: approachability, legibility from the road, and durability on sign and card. Pick a lane, or blend elements across lanes—we’ll refine into a cohesive identity, storefront sign package, and cards that work hard every day.

DESIGNER MISSION

We build brands that earn trust on Main Street. For this project, our mission is simple: create a clean, sturdy, neighborlybarbershop identity that prints crisp on uncoated stock, cuts clean in vinyl, and reads instantly from a passing car. No fluff—just a mark and system that work as well at ½″ on a loyalty stamp as they do at 10″ letters on your fascia. The vibe is quality, honest, friendly, caring, approachable—because in a town like Redwood Valley, great service and clear communication are the real flex.

Context
Independent barbershop serving Redwood Valley’s mix of families, vineyard/field crews, contractors, hospitality staff, and visitors alike. Current exterior features a tan/brown façade under a deep overhang, a single large window, and an existing rotating pole. The fascia sign will be replaced.

What you told us

  • You like an oval badge with a barber pole, navy/white with small red accents.

  • You want a new storefront sign and business cards, plus a logo suite you can use on social and simple merch.

  • The tone should feel classic and professional—not trendy—so it appeals to everyone who walks in.

Goals

  • Immediate drive‑by readability at ~25–35 mph.

  • A mark that looks premium but approachable and reproduces cleanly in 1‑color.

  • Cohesive application across sign, window/door vinyl, business cards, and social avatar.

Scope & Deliverables

  • Identity: primary wordmark, badge, monogram, color palette, typography, 1‑color/2‑color variants, usage mini‑guide.

  • Signage: fascia sign artwork to scale (with letter heights/callouts), door hours & window strip layouts.

  • Collateral: business card (front/back with appointment or loyalty options), social icons, sticker/patch‑ready art.

Constraints & Opportunities

  • Overhang/shade line → prefer matte finishes and high contrast; avoid mid‑tone gradients.

  • Distance legibility → bold letterforms, simplified iconography, minimal fine lines.

  • Durability → uncoated card options that still feel premium; vinyl/ACM sign options that can take sun and dust.

Vintage Vibes

This direction leans into timeless barbershop heritage—badge silhouettes, honest line‑art tools, rich navy/oxblood/creamtones, and textures that nod to leather chairs and steel. It signals craft, continuity, and small‑town pride without feeling kitschy. Type skews heritage serif + sturdy sans for warmth and clarity; icons stay simple so they cut well in vinyl and embroider cleanly. If you want “classic, trustworthy, been‑here‑for‑years” energy that resonates with families and longtime locals, this is it.

Modern Mood

Crisp, confident, and minimal. Think charcoal/ink bases with clean whites and a controlled pop of pole‑red; monoline icons; and a compact monogram or pole mark that scales from avatar to fascia. Typography goes bold geometric/condensed sans for maximum read at distance and a fresh, up‑to‑date feel. This lane is great if you want to foreground fades, beard work, and efficiency—appealing to younger clients and pros—while keeping the space welcoming for everyone. world. Whatever it is, the way you tell your story online can make all the difference.

Groomed Grandeur

Classic barbershop, elevated. Cream backdrops, deep navy, and subtle copper/bronze accents deliver a refined, service‑forward vibe that pairs well with better materials (thicker uncoated cards, deboss/foil touches, dimensional sign options). Typography mixes a bookish serif with a humanist sans for hospitality polish. This route says “neighborhood staple with premium standards”—perfect if you want to keep things friendly yet step up perceived value and price integrity.