BRAND IDENTITY: KSD CASTING
Opportunity
all over.
DEI is important to me for a host of reasons. So, when I was asked to brand a Casting Director who held equity as one of her core values, I jumped at the chance.
The Problem
Kim Donovan is one of those people you meet and find instantly, irreversibly magnetic. There’s an unusual perfection to the way she views the world—she’s able to see people and their goals in a rarefied way that allows her to open paths for folks that would not previously have been open. To create a brand identity for her was an irresistible opportunity.
What we needed was to find a concept that was uniquely Kim: a way to individualize her brand and lend it singular meaning in a very templated industry.
Enter the cephalopods.
The concept that came to mind most strongly was chromatophores—the cells in an octopus or squid’s skin that allow it to change color to blend into or starkly contrast with its environment. See, Kim is a Cephhead—one of those peculiar folks who is entranced by and infatuated with (on a personal and a scientific level) cephalopods. So am I.
For a casting director faced with an environment where color-conscious casting was a new imperative, and with the incredible protean abilities of cephalopods mirroring the ability of actors to take on any role, the metaphor seemed apt.
The Solution
The logo is simple asymmetrical typography, set in an Engraver’s style extended gothic sans serif.
But the context of the logo is what’s important.
Using a custom texture of chromatophores in hot colors that the client loves creates a vibrantly chameleonic feel—energetic, eye-catching, but anchored by the contrast and the architecture of the type.
Instantly, KSD Casting goes from being an entity among other likeminded entities, with their corporately-designed branding systems—to an entity that is ever-changing and memorable.
DC keeps me polished as my company grows at an uncomfortably rapid pace. He is one of the best resources in my arsenal.
—Kim Donovan, KSD Casting
TAKEAWAY: MORE, PLEASE
Kim has become a cherished collaborator and friend. I communicate with her daily about projects we have in motion, and they’re a joy to plan and fulfill.
I hope to be her go-to for design and for many other things for a long, long time to come.