Nash & Co. Branding & Design

Murphy Empire partnered with Nash & Co., a retail boutique and creative services studio located in downtown Portland, Maine. Nash & Co. supports local artisans, independent makers, and collectors of well-made, thoughtfully designed goods — ranging from gifts, accessories, home goods, and handcrafted items to printmaking and custom creative production services. We developed their complete brand identity system, handmade logo and marks, visual language, website brand styling, print and social assets, signage, and packaging patterns, all rooted in a warm, vintage-inspired aesthetic with a curated sense of curiosity.

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Handmade logotype and mark system for Nash & Co. by Murphy Empire
Handmade logotype for Nash & Co. by Murphy Empire
Nash & Co. brand identity design by Murphy Empire, Portland Maine

Brand Identity & Creative Direction

Our creative direction for Nash & Co. centered on the idea of trusted, timeless neighborhood craft, blended with a touch of wonder. The visual identity draws on the familiarity of historic general stores and local mercantile traditions, layered with a playful “curiosities” sensibility. Every element — from typography decisions to mark composition to messaging tone — was created to feel welcoming, slightly eclectic, and deeply local.

Logo Design & Visual Language

We designed a handmade logotype and supporting marks based on classic tradesman signage and turn-of-the-century merchant lettering. The supporting visual language includes hand-drawn illustrative details, block-printed textures, and pattern work created for wrapping paper, bags, tags, and packaging accents. Typography and palette choices reinforce the brand’s sense of trust, locality, and human touch.

Retail Experience, Packaging & Signage

The identity extends across physical and digital applications: storefront signage, merchandise tags and stickers, packaging, price labels, product displays, and custom wrapping. We also created patterns and visual elements for in-store presentation and gift-wrapping experiences — ensuring the brand remains cohesive at every customer touchpoint.

Website, Social Media & Creative Services Identity

We developed the website look and voice to reflect both sides of the business:

  • Retail offerings: gifts, home goods, oddities, art, candles, blankets, imported blind box toys, kids items, bar goods

  • Creative services: artist printing, linocut and woodcut prints, laser engraving, embroidery, custom invitations, and gift wrapping

The tone is friendly, knowledgeable, and craft-forward — mirroring the experience of stepping into the shop.

Deliverables

  • Brand Strategy & Visual Identity System

  • Handmade Logo & Mark Suite

  • Typographic System & Color Palette

  • Website Styling & Messaging Tone

  • Social Media & Print Branding Assets

  • Signage, Packaging & Wrapping Paper Patterns

  • Corporate Stationery & Lookbook Assets