Notable Awards & Accomplishments

Gold in Company Branding from the Hermes Creative Awards

Planning for Growth

Nestled in the heart of the Niagara Peninsula, the City of Welland is a growing waterfront city with rich natural beauty, investment possibilities, and balanced living opportunities.

As Welland prepared for new levels of population growth and continued to advance its pursuit of its strategic priorities and community directions, it needed to position itself as a standout city unlike any other in the region.

Goals:

Engage with the community to develop an identity that attracts investment and fosters civic pride.

Capture the forward-thinking nature of the City and its vision for a smart future.

Ensure flexibility for use across marketing initiatives and community outreach projects.

Welland's brand tone of voice, listed as cheerful, inviting, informative and playful.
Welland's iconic bridge, view from waterside walkway.

Beyond the Bridge

While the historic bridge represented in Welland’s former logo holds significant value as a unique identifier, it was important to communicate that the bridge represents only a fragment of the City’s identity.
Balancing this representation would help avoid the notion that the bridge defines Welland’s identity.

Samples of the Welland brand fonts Ubuntu and Albert Sans.
A young child playing hopscotch, jumping away from the camera.

Unveiling Welland’s Natural Features

Our conversations with City officials and residents highlighted Welland’s remarkable features, such as the canal, pristine waters for swimming, scenic pathways, and abundant green spaces and parks. These natural amenities emphasize Welland’s strong sports and recreation culture, and it was essential to represent these attributes across the brand identity.

A person in a plaid shirt at a market selling apples.
Three Welland posters, hanging over a dark background.
Young child playing with bubbles, with the Welland W graphic overlaid.

Future Proof

We crafted a dynamic brand identity that captures the essence of Welland and its aspirations for a technologically advanced future. The brand works seamlessly across multiple platforms, marketing initiatives, and community engagement activities.

Welland’s new brand guide provides clear direction for effective communication, while its visual system generates curiosity. The logo concept’s bold ‘W’ shape reflects the fluidity of water, the connection between communities, and the theory of movement and constant evolution.

Welland brand guidelines.
A vertical flag with Welland branding in front of a cloudy blue sky.
Welland Facebook page mockup, on a laptop over a yellow background.