WATCH THE

PROCESS

Visual Identity, Logo, Print & Brand Collateral, Merch, Motion Design (Designed by Clay Spahn)

SERVICES

SPACE VISUAL IDENTITY

When I had the chance to create the visual identity for SPACE, the Sanctuary for Polk County’s Art, Culture, and Education, I was all in. This nonprofit aims to be more than just a location; it will be a hub where artists of all mediums, skill levels, and backgrounds can work, learn, and connect. The long-term goal is to open a brick and mortar space that fosters growth and community, and I’m personally invested in seeing the arts thrive here. I might not be able to fund the vision, but I can use my skills in design and branding to help launch it with impact.

Photo of two people sitting across from each other during a brand facilitation meeting.

SPACE aims to foster a thriving community for artists of all mediums, skill levels, and backgrounds. But before any of that could happen, they needed a clear and compelling visual identity. It had to communicate their mission, inspire local creatives, and grow with the organization. As a brand-new initiative with a passionate but nontraditional leadership team, SPACE needed help defining not just how it looked but what it stood for.

Austin Dingess writing on a whiteboard during a brand facilitation session

The next step was meeting with the team to help bring clarity and definition to the brand. Through a series of brand facilitation sessions, we worked together to define their mission, values, audience, and overall personality. These conversations weren’t just about visuals; they were about getting to the core of what SPACE is and what it hopes to become. This early collaboration laid the groundwork for everything that followed and gave us a solid foundation to build a visual identity with purpose and direction.

Diagram showcasing the thought process behind the SPACE logo

Once we settled on the visual direction with the stylescape, I dove into the logo design. I think conceptually when I create logos, trying to bring the brand’s values into something that feels alive, not static. The idea that stuck with me was simple but powerful: space is the area between two objects. That definition resonated because SPACE is all about community and inclusivity. You need more than one person to create that space. So I focused on playing with the spacing between the letters, literally pushing them apart to create more room.

Then, I had the spark to bring in the cosmic angle, imagining each letter surrounded by a circle, like planets in orbit. This blend of the conceptual and the cosmic perfectly captures what SPACE is about. The logo can spread out or come together, fit inside a circle or stretch across a layout, making it adaptable for many uses. It’s not just a mark; it’s an idea that reflects the creativity and spirit at the heart of the brand.

The SPACE logo formatted in a circle
The SPACE logo in a vertical format
The favicon or icon for SPACE
A SPACE pamphlet resting on a yellow street curb
A SPACE billboard that is on top of green foliage
SPACE business cards ever so slightly hanging off the edge of a table
A SPACE poster hanging on a concrete pillar
SPACE lanyard and ID badge designs hanging in front of a concrete wall with graffiti
An assortment of SPACE posters on a wooden wall by the side of a road
A SPACE poster hanging off the side of a chair
SPACE event bracelets and tickets

DISTINCTIVE TYPE

One of the more playful aspects of the identity is how we handle type. In select cases, letters from the logo can be pulled into headlines or short phrases to create a distinctive look. This approach adds a layer of visual interest while reinforcing the SPACE identity in a subtle but recognizable way.

A paint studio with a mural with the words 'Paint Studio' and graffiti on top of it. The 'A' in 'Paint' is enclosed within a circle similar to the one in the SPACE logo
A workspace interior with text on the walls. Parts of the text are replaced with parts of the SPACE logo
Signage with the word 'Pottery'. The 'E' in pottery is enclosed in a circle, similar to the one in the SPACE logo
Stickers of the SPACE logo on top of a metal pole.
A women posing for a photography wearing SPACE merchandize t-shirt. The design included the SPACE logo and looks like a micrographic
A woman and man wearing a SPACE t-shirt. The man shows the front of the shirt which includes the SPACE logo. The woman showcases the back. The back of the shirt says "Sanctuary for Polk County's Arts, Culture, & Education with spray paint on top
A man carrying a white tote with Blue accents. The SPACE logo is on the tote underneath blue graffiti
A man posing in front of a white wall wearing a black hat with the SPACE logo on it
Mockups of SPACE's social media templates
An assortment of SPACE social graphics including instagram posts and instagram stories

Motion Design by Clay Spahn at Bled Studio

A SPACE poster. The SPACE logo is on top with a woman looking through two glasses full of water distorting her image. Red spray paint covers the bottom part of the image
A SPACE billboard found in an underpass. On the left is the SPACE logo and on the right is the image of a woman wearing a red veil. Blue spray paint covers the left side and carries over onto the right
A SPACE banner in a city setting.
A SPACE poster in a subway car. Red graffiti covers the text on the poster which reads "Sanctuary for Polk County's Arts, Culture, & Education"
A SPACE poster. A man in an orange button up with a blue bag over his shoulder. On top of the photo is graffiti and the circular SPACE logo
SPACE poster. The design repeats the SPACE logo, but the logo has an ink bleed effect. On top is blue paint
SPACE billboard in a subway environment. The SPACE logo spans the billboard with graffiti on top of it
An assortment of SPACE posters on a concrete wall near a road.
A SPACE poster on a concrete wall. orange graffiti cover the text of the poster which reads "Sanctuary for Polk County's Arts, Culture, & Education"

THE OUTCOME

A lot of people have ideas—but not everyone sees them through. This project is what happens when you do. It’s the result of committing to an idea, exploring it from every angle, and not being afraid to take creative risks along the way. The final identity for SPACE blends two drastically different aesthetics into something that feels cohesive, expressive, and full of intention. It doesn’t just look intriguing—it reflects the values, spirit, and ambition of the brand at its core. That’s the power of following an idea all the way through. That’s what this project represents.

Sara Jones - Executive Director, SPACE

“Working with Austin on the SPACE identity was an awesome experience. He listened to every vibe I wanted to represent and guided me through moments when I struggled to find the right words to explain what I was looking for. He offered insights I wouldn’t have thought of on my own, and his design instincts consistently elevated my ideas.

The typography he landed on was different than what I had originally imagined, but I quickly realized it was infinitely better. As someone raised by a graphic designer and who has spent much of my life being staunchly anti-aesthetic, I was really impressed with how Austin honored that perspective and transformed it into a brand identity that feels genuine. He responded quickly and gracefully to feedback and never made me feel like adjustments were a burden.

He went above and beyond in his services, offering explanations and critiques without ever making me feel inexperienced for asking. His style is instantly recognizable, which is why I sought him out, but what impressed me most was that the final product feels like true SPACE branding, not just “an Austin design.”

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