Nichols Custom Guitars

Included in this project: Stakeholder Interviews, Brand Audit, Competitive Audit, Mood Board, Identity Design

Background

Nichols Custom Guitars, founded by Todd Nichols, is a workshop that specializes in building custom guitars. Nichols operates his business between summer tours playing guitar with his band, Toad The Wet Sprocket. Todd brings over 30 years of professional playing experience to his craft, initially making guitars for friends. As Nichols' work gained popularity, he started building and selling more guitars with an affinity for the vintage and relic, building them to feel as if they've been played for 20 years.

Challenges

Creating a brand identity for Nichols Custom Guitars posed its unique set of challenges, chiefly revolving around capturing the essence of a brand deeply rooted in individual craftsmanship and musical passion. The primary task was to reflect the bespoke, handcrafted nature of the guitars in the brand imagery, resonating with both professional musicians and guitar enthusiasts.

The challenge of crafting a brand identity for Nichols Custom Guitars was intricately tied to encapsulating the rock essence of its owner, Todd Nichols. The identity needed to resonate with the spirit of rock music, reflecting the gritty, raw, and passionate energy of the genre. This required not just a deep understanding of the rock aesthetic but also an ability to translate it into visual elements that speak to both musicians and fans of rock music.

The brand identity had to mirror the edgy, dynamic, and bold characteristics of rock, while also showcasing the craftsmanship and quality of the guitars. Balancing this rock 'n' roll vibe with a sense of sophistication and modernity was key to appealing to a wide range of guitar enthusiasts.

Nichols Custom Guitars

Background

Challenges

Setting the stage.

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