Asheville Strong Decal
“we don’t have to do all of it alone.
We were never meant to.”
-Brene Brown
In the midst of COVID-19 and the stay-at-home mandate, a local business wanted to create decals that would help inspire unity and strength to the city of Asheville in the unprecedented times. My team was given the creative license to formulate what that might look like.
The starting idea from the business was to play around with creative fonts for the words "Asheville Strong". Our starting direction was to then combine the words and fonts with elements that represented characteristics of the city. Being that the city sits within the Blue Ridge Mountains, we began there. The process led us through different font renditions that led to a simple layout with mountains hidden in the letters. Our exploration to find elements that represent Asheville led to a brain blast moment. The water tower!
Local muralists collaborated together to create a graffiti of the words "Stay Weird" on the water tower just outside of downtown. A favorite phrase that 'Ashevill-ians' lovingly commandeered. Since its creation, it has become a landmark for both tourists and locals alike. After the stay-at-home mandate was initiated, the muralists changed the phrasing to fit the times, "Stay Home". Matching the quick pace of 2020, the current phrase being presented is "Stay True".
With all that being said, we couldn't pass up the chance to workshop a decal that could represent the other side of Asheville life. The artistic side that will go out of their way to add a little fun to its beloved grungy walls and water towers.
Below shows the journey of our ideas.
