Bell & Beacon Branding & Design
Bell & Beacon was a lifestyle retail company project founded by Ken Murphy and Holly Murphy, owners of Murphy Empire, as a passion project dedicated to creating heirloom-quality goods made by hand in Maine. Built on the belief that creativity and craftsmanship can make the world better, Bell & Beacon designs and produces finely made home products, personal accessories, and art inspired by the North Atlantic coast, blending nautical tradition with timeless design and a deep respect for the makers behind every piece.
Bell & Beacon is a self-initiated studio project exploring craft, material, and place along the Maine coast.
Conceived and executed as a complete brand world, the work reflects our belief that the most enduring identities are built slowly—through texture, story, and restraint.
Brand Identity & Creative Direction
Murphy Empire developed the comprehensive brand identity system for Bell & Beacon, from the logo and mark suite to packaging, e-commerce, and every visual touchpoint. The aesthetic balances classic New England maritime influence with modern minimalism rooted in natural materials, craft, and storytelling. Every element, from typography to product design, was created to feel purposeful, honest, and enduring.
The Bell & Beacon Society
To inspire creativity and connection, we created The Bell & Beacon Society, a movement built around the idea to scroll less and journal more. Through our Signature Sketch Packs — hand-stitched leather and canvas packs containing two journals, pencils, erasers, and a sharpener — we encourage people to ‘Explore, Write, Sketch’ each day. With our letterpress notecard writing sets and postcard packs —the Society champions the lost art of letter writing, inviting everyone to “Write to Your Friends,” preserving meaning and memory through handwritten notes that become keepsakes over time.
Product Design & Craftsmanship
Every Bell & Beacon product was conceived, designed, and handcrafted by Murphy Empire. All leather goods are hand-stitched to last generations, improving in beauty with age and patina. We designed and produced:
Signature leather and canvas tote bags and minimalist wallets
The Beacon Bag, Whale Bag, and Cross-Body Clutch
Hand-drawn and painted nautical prints, postcards, and note cards
Handmade ceramic candles, essential oils, and natural wool blankets
Nautical flags featuring the coordinates of Casco Bay, Maine
The complete signature scent line — Wood & Sea, Ambergris, and North Atlantic — Essential oils mists, with scents used in our soaps and candles
Every product was designed, packaged, and shipped by hand, misted lightly with our Wood & Sea essential-oil scent to enhance the unboxing experience. Each parcel included postcards, stickers, and a branded shipping label with Bell & Beacon’s signature mark.
Art & Design by Ken Murphy
All original artwork — from the lobster painting and fish illustrations to nautical motifs and lettering — was created by Ken Murphy. Each illustration and pattern was hand-drawn, scanned, and refined into a cohesive visual language that ties the brand’s entire product line together.
Website & Brand Experience
We designed and built the Bell & Beacon e-commerce website, video and stop-motion promotions, and email marketing system. Every aspect of the brand experience — from digital storytelling to tactile packaging — was crafted to embody care, beauty, and authenticity.
Deliverables
Brand Strategy & Visual Identity System
Logo & Mark Suite
E-commerce Website Design & Development
Product & Packaging Design
Original Artwork & Illustration
Print, Web & Social Media Promotions
Video & Stop-Motion Content
Signature Scent Development & Packaging
Explore more of our work in Logo Design, or Website Design.