VacayHQ
The only automated travel hacking platform that helps people build good credit while exploring the world. Their motto: Better credit, bigger travel.
✻ Brand Suite Design ▨ Digital MarketingAs an emerging startup based in Las Vegas, Vacay came to me asking for a brand update that’s elevated, uplifting and fresh.
With their first accelerator and fundraising round on the horizon, they wanted their logo, fonts, and graphics to portray the confidence they personally felt in their idea.
Previous Branding Assets
Logo
Maintaining the original wordmark as the foundational element, HQ was added as a differentiator for the Trademarking process.
Color Palette
To help sustain consistency with the old brand, I started with the original purple and added bright complementary colors to infuse some fun. Incorporating darker hues compliments the happy travel vibes with a serious tone. Gradients convey a modern quality.
As a tech-enabled startup, the goal was to look like the future without turning into a startup caricature.
The Vacay team brings a polished, yet playful, vibe so I wanted to infuse that into the branding. The look and feel also needed to be approachable. Bad credit is an unspoken reality for many people in low and middle-income neighborhoods, who are also underserved by banking institutions. We were committed to creating something that resonates specifically with this audience.
As the go-to travel hacking recommendation site for young travelers, it was just as important to attract banks, airlines, and hotels as partners to share curated offers for their eager (and qualified!) audience of jet setters.
Fonts
The flared serif evokes sophistication without feeling too traditional, while the complementary sans serif keep it clean and approachable. To tie it all together, italicized words offer subtle emphasis while mimicking the slant of the logo.
Supporting Elements
Reimagining the idea of a spreadsheet and injecting some pizzazz with color and gradients, which then transforms into a flight path, taking you to your next destination.
A library of elements, like frames and backgrounds, were supplied to help in creating consistent materials in the future.
Social Media Templates
Illustrations & Icons
With today’s access to a treasure-trove of stock icons and line drawings, I made it easy for the team to internally carry the brand into the future. Simply shaped gradients establish a distinctive cohesiveness while delivering opportunities for endless combinations.
Examples of usage for Guidelines.
“Jenny was recommended to me by her sister Katy, and if there’s a gene for talent and creativity, these two have it. I have been continually amazed by the work that Jenny has produced. And it’s not just me; I regularly receive compliments on our branding and design from customers and industry professionals alike. Investing in our brand early on has proved to be a valuable differentiator for us which is why, despite being a young company, we’re able to punch far above our weight. Talent acquisition is easier, investor conversations go further, and it’s even elevated the way I feel about myself as a founder. Kind of like how putting on a new outfit can add a spring to your step. Talk about a positive ROI! If you’re looking for an award-winning designer who can articulate your aesthetic and bring your brand to life, Jenny has my highest recommendation!”
— DJ Jack, Founder