Purple Acorn Forge
In the forests of rural Western Pennsylvania, Ryan Corbin was looking to escape the routine of his office job and get back to his roots, so he took up blacksmithing and converted an old woodshed on his land into an iron forge. After learning the craft and honing his skills, he decided to turn this hobby into a business and start producing products under the name Purple Acorn Forge. He would need a logo/touchmark to mark his creations, so he brought me on board to help realize his vision.
When we first got together, he had a sketch he liked but knew it wasn’t quite where it needed to be. The design needed to work not just as a printed or digital logo but also as a touchmark (identifying mark) that would be hammered into the wrought iron products he produced. The touchmark size (approximately 15mm in diameter) and the application process (hammered in red hot iron) limited the detail that could be used.
Ryan’s sketch showed an anvil, but we decided this was unnecessary and highly overused within the smithing community. What was essential was the PA text - which stands for both Purple Acorn and for the state of Pennsylvania. The outline of an acorn was unique in the industry and an easily recognizable silhouette, so we focused on combining it with the letters PA. The curves of the acorn's edges were carefully designed to ensure easy recognition.
The choice of a squared-off block letter for 'PA' not only pays homage to the hammered edges of forged iron but also resonates with the rich steel industry heritage of Western Pennsylvania. The result was a touchmark that not only looked aesthetically pleasing when hammered into iron but also effectively represented the Purple Acorn Forge brand in print and digital formats.
Beyond the logo, we extended the design principles to create a cohesive set of brand assets, including typography and imagery related to blacksmithing and metalwork. These assets are strategically positioned for future use on various touchpoints, such as merchandise, hang tags, and marketing materials, ensuring a consistent and memorable brand presence.
