Where we started
In May 2024, Frankman Design and Marketing embarked on one of our most rewarding projects of the year. It all began when our Creative Director, Mark, met with Simon Steer, the newly appointed Chair of the Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce, and his team.
Their mission was clear: to reimagine the Chamber’s logo in a way that genuinely reflected their values and mission while bringing a fresh sense of fun and innovation.
The Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce is a cornerstone of the local business community, dedicated to supporting and promoting the interests of businesses in the Paignton area. They provide vital networking opportunities and act as the collective voice for local enterprises. However, their existing logo design didn’t quite capture the essence of what the Chamber stands for. This was our starting point—a chance to create something that would not only resonate with the Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce team but also with the wider community they serve.
The brief
The brief was both challenging and exciting: to create a logo design that would encapsulate the spirit of Paignton and its business community while being visually appealing and versatile across various platforms.
It was crucial that the new design reflected Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce’s values of trust, reliability, and community, while also being modern and adaptable.
To kick off the project, Mark hosted a workshop with the Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce team. This session was essential for gathering insights and understanding their perspectives on the existing logo design. We explored what the Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce truly represents and the elements that define their identity. The insights gained from this workshop guided the entire design process, ensuring that the final logo would be a genuine reflection of the Chamber’s ethos.
The outcome
With a deep understanding of Paignton & District Chamber of Commerce’s identity, Mark set to work.
Over 30 pages of ideas and concepts were meticulously crafted, inspired by the rich discussions held during the workshop. Every detail was carefully considered, from the symbolism of the colours to the inclusion of local landmarks.
Colour was a significant aspect of the design. After thoughtful consideration, a blend of blue and orange was chosen. When designing a logo, we feel it is important to not deviate too far from the brand’s original palette if possible, as it would mean a change in brand identity to something that the current clientele don’t resonate with. Therefore, we kept the blue, representing trust and reliability but also the sea and sky. We added the orange to portray warmth and friendliness but also depict the sandy beaches of the South West that locals and tourists alike love so much.
A key feature of the new logo is the image of Paignton Pier within the letter ‘D’. During discussions with their team, they were set on keeping the pier shape in their logo as a staple of the Paignton community and an attraction for both tourists and locals. However, they felt like their logo was solely focused on the pier and not the wider community as they intended. Therefore, we suggested incorporating just a section of the pier instead to show the progression and evolution of the iconic shape, but also introduce the sea waves element to bring it together.
Mark didn’t stop at just one logo; he created a collection of variations tailored for different platforms and marketing needs. Whether it’s a square version for social media profiles or a longer version for physical materials like office stationery, each variation was designed with versatility in mind. The logo was also optimised for digital use, ensuring it looked great against different coloured backgrounds.
