The Hill Arts Branding & Design

Murphy Empire collaborated with The Hill Arts, a performance center on Munjoy Hill in Portland, Maine, to develop a comprehensive brand identity system and a dynamic, user-centric website. The aim was to unify their visual presence across print, digital, and event spaces — creating a cohesive design language that supports their mission, community work, and creative programming.

The Hill Arts circular logo mark
The Hill Arts wordmark shown in primary and secondary color treatments

The Hill Arts exists to amplify human expression — on stage, in community, and across generations.

Audience members engaging during a performance at The Hill Arts
The Hill Arts brand applied across print materials and environmental signage
The Hill Arts logo presented by Ken Murphy
Dancers performing on stage under red lighting at The Hill Arts
Community gathering hosted by The Hill Arts
Exterior view of proposed The Hill Arts new performance center building at night
Performer raising an arm into stage light at The Hill Arts

Brand Identity & Creative Direction

Our branding direction emphasized clarity, expression, and coherence. We built a visual identity system that resonates with The Hill Arts’ cultural mission — combining bold typographic treatments, expressive color, and modular graphic elements to reflect their dynamic programming and creative spirit.

Logo Design & Visual Language

The logo design draws on movement and performance, with clean structure and expressive forms. Supporting visual language — patterning, iconography, texture — extends the identity into marketing materials, signage, and event collateral, giving every piece a strong, unified voice.

Website & Digital Experience

We designed and developed a custom website, with full SEO/AI search applied, that translates The Hill Arts’ identity into digital form. The site features intuitive navigation, visual storytelling, and responsive layouts — all reflecting their brand’s energy while making programming and engagement easy for community audiences.

Signage, Print & Application

The brand identity was applied across printed materials, environmental signage, programs, and event graphics. Each application — whether a poster, brochure, or stage backdrop — was designed to maintain consistency, legibility, and visual impact in both small and large formats.

Deliverables

  • Brand Strategy & Visual Identity System

  • Handmade Logo & Mark Suite

  • Typographic System & Color Palette

  • Website Design & Development with full SEO/AI search

  • Social Media & Print Branding Assets

  • Signage, Packaging & Wrapping Paper Patterns

  • Corporate Stationery & Lookbook Assets

Explore more of our work in Logo Design, or Website Design.