What's in an Identity?

Once I decided to share my photography with the world, I knew I needed to create an image for Veni Etiam – an image that, above all, conveyed how I envisioned it in my mind's eye, as well as one that would linger in the minds and memory of those who experienced the brand. 

I intuitively turned to a duet of talented designers – Santhi Thomaidi and Lefteris Protopapas, known as Alati design. We had met in Greece some years ago and I had continued to follow their creative projects from afar. I trusted them from the start, without a second thought. What I didn't know at that time, though, was how rewarding and how much fun our collaboration would be, and how much more than a logo I would gain from the experience.

When I first contacted them, I knew I needed to design a logo, a business card and some stationery. What I quickly learned through them is that what we needed to design, in fact, was so much more than those basic elements; we needed to create a visual identity for Veni Etiam – a consistent and recognizable look that would visually communicate the essence of the brand. What makes it special and engaging?

I approached them with a summary of what Veni Etiam stood for, and what I hoped it would embody. I had wanted a nostalgic, retro feel – a vintage camera, and classy fonts. I knew I wanted it to look streamlined and crisp, elegant and memorable - safely balanced on the spectrum between old-fashioned and modern. As a starting point, I sent them a few hues of blue, inspired by my love for the Sea and all things maritime, and mentioned that I also imagined a calm charcoal grey. I didn't need to say much else for them to get their design engines running! They absorbed everything I said, mixed it in with their own creative vision of the project, and added generous portions of their impressive talent.

Logo brainstorming by Alati Design. Photo credit: Santhi Thomaidi

They took it upon themselves to get to know Veni Etiam – they asked for a dozen of my favorite photos, read through bits of my unpublished website and designed the brand around the feel of it. This resulted in the incredibly odd but astonishing sensation, every single time they presented me with a proposal, that they had totally read my mind. It was as though they saw what was in my head, and pulled it out. They captured it. The spirit of Veni Etiam gradually materialized, and it was one of the most exhilarating experiences to witness the transfer of my elusive vision from thin air onto paper. 

Stationery by Alati Design. Photo credit: Santhi Thomaidi

Our collaboration was exciting, productive and respectful. We brainstormed, they delivered, I commented, they revised, I suggested, they advised – back and forth, from Canada to Greece and back again. With their clever ideas, meticulousness, and thorough knowledge of design principles, I truly felt like Veni Etiam's image was in good hands!

Stamp by Alati Design. Photo credit: Santhi Thomaidi

Lefteris and Santhi - I love what we generated and achieved together! But best of all, I loved the whole journey itself, and even felt a pang of nostalgia once we were done. Thank you for being so attentive to my requests, all the while being honest about what you felt would be a smarter move or more visually compelling. I would wholeheartedly recommend your work to the world! 

(And I do! Check out their portfolio and follow their creative endeavors on Facebook!)