Branding / Evolved

We craft authentic and expressive brands for mission-driven companies, extending that brand across packaging, websites, and collateral to help bring clarity, build deeper connections, sell more products, and scale positive impact.

Look, we know how exhausting it can be to work with a generalist agency that doesn’t quite get your brand or customer, who nickel and dimes you on every project, who’s made pretty stuff that doesn’t actually work in the marketplace, who doesn’t help navigate packaging regulations, who says they care about your cause but also works with the companies causing the problems you’re trying to fix, who pitches their elite team then delivers you their interns, who are interested in the big projects but won’t help with the day-to-day needs, etc.

The old agency model doesn’t work anymore, so we’ve adapted to help you thrive.

1.
We’re small so we can be picky, working only on brands and projects that make the world a better place.

2.
We’re hyper-focused and have amassed a unique combination ofexpertise that gives our brands an edge.

3.
We act as an extension of your team, focusing on what’s best for your brand’s long-term success.

See a lot of food-related work in our portfolio?

That’s because fixing the food system helps reverse climate change, builds a more just world, and encourages healthier lifestyles – oh, and we love getting tasty samples at trade shows.

We still love to help other industries too, when the right opportunity arises.

 

We help launch, evolve, and grow brands through…

  • Brand & product naming

  • Brand strategy & design

  • Package design

  • Web design

  • Marketing & sales collateral

  • Messaging strategy & copywriting

  • Campaign graphics

  • Tradeshow booths & materials

  • Sustainability & impact report design

  • Sustainability & impact strategy

 

Some brands we’ve helped do good things…

Above Food
Alden’s Organic
Alter Eco
Aveda
Bloom Bake Shop
CCOF
Culcherd
Eat Up!
Farmer Direct Organic
Hemp Science
Hooray Foods
Javazen
Karma Bliss
Kerry
Kekoa Foods
Kindship Group

Gist
Global Organics
La Riojana
Lerøy Seafood
Makes 3 Organics
Mamma Chia
Marlene's Market & Deli
Matchaful
Moon Valley Organics
Mora Iced Creamery
Nutiva
Organic Valley
Organic Marketing Association
Paper Fig
Planet
Positively Natural

Qet Botanicals
Regeneration VC
ReGrained
Savanna Institute
Scratch and Peck
So Delicious Dairy Free
Tribe 9 Foods
Upcycled Food Association
Upcycled Foods Inc
Verse Chocolate
Wakunaga
Yumbutter

 

Did we mention we approach sustainability holistically…

A creative solution that doesn’t consider the entire system it’s designed to function within can do more harm than good. That’s why we don’t dip our toes in the sustainability waters and hope for the best. We do a triple-back-flip off the cliff and dive deep into impact-strategy waters to make sure we’re considering the big picture so we can guide your brand to sustainability olympics gold!

Environment

To keep this complex system we call Earth running smoothly, we seek to work in harmony with nature, eliminating waste and toxins wherever possible.

Economy

Responsible financial decision making helps allocate more money toward the mission, helps ensure fair wages, and helps keep money in local economies.

Ethics

Every material, vendor, and proposed solution is looked at closely to make sure we’re not causing undue harm to anyone/thing touched by the project.

Interested in working together?

We’re always happy to chat with fellow purpose-driven folks, so feel free to email us@modernspecies.com to set up an introductory call.


We’re a collection of unique species…

One thing we all have in common is that we give a shit. That means we’ve taken a pass on the passive life sitting on the sidelines. We work here because we don’t just stand up for what’s right and vote with dollars – we vote with our time, talent, and expertise. That’s part of why we’re so good at what we do… we don’t need to spend months researching your audience. We are your audience, 24-7.

Gage Mitchell

Creative director & food enthusiast.

Jessica Lennard

Design director & crazy plant lady.

Esther Velasco

Junior brand designer & spice lover.

Carla Williamson-Britt

Brand designer & social butterfly.

Jason Robinson

Brand designer & digital nomad.

Andreina Blanco

Content manager & fashionista.

 

Alex Stewart

Office admin & psychology buff.

 

We don’t like to brag, but…

We’ve been shaking up the industry for over twelve years and have been honored with a loads of awards, press, and speaking invitations. Here’s a highlight list of where you might have seen us…

Awards

Expo West & East Nexty
American Package Design
Health & Wellness Design
American Design Awards
AIGA Boom!
Creative Quarterly
AIGA Seattle Fellow Nominee

Grants

RSA Catalyst
Sappi Ideas that Matter

Published Work

Design to Renourish
Brand Identity Essentials
New Big Book of Layouts
Designing for the Greater Good
iHeart Logos
Logo Lounge
Dieline

Interviews & Features

Organic Report Magazine
Cambridge University Press
Neenah Environment Paper
Communications Arts Magazine
Responsible Designers to Watch
Canvas Magazine
Computer Arts Magazine
Buzz Magazine PNW
Gray Magazine
AIGA + Wacom Video
Creative Live Promo
CYFCYL Radio Show
Onward Radio Podcast
This Is Design School Podcast
Design Recharge Show Podcast
Single Serve Design Podcast
Input Doc Podcast
PSFK Blog
Design in Public Blog
1% for the Planet Blog

Speaking & Judging

Climate Collaborative
1% for the Planet Global Summit
Organicology
Natural Products Expo NW
Provender Conference
Edible Summit
Sappi Ideas That Matter
Evolve CPG Podcast
Seattle Good Business Network
Green E Event
Design + Diversity Conference
Adobe Creative jam
AIGA Design Conference
AIGA Leadership Retreat
AIGA Chapter Events
Proquo AI Webinar
PSFK Seattle Event
Gray Magazine Event
Graphic Artists Guild
NowHere Conference

If you’re interested in booking us for a talk, panel, event judging, or anything else, email us@modernspecies.com.

 

  • Some kind words from lovely people…

    “Modern Species is made up of true visionaries! Working with them has been a life changing experience. Their expertise allowed me to execute my vision on a level that completely surpassed what I initially set out to do. They listened, they understood, they elevated and they executed beyond what I could have imagined. They are full of ideas; aiding me tremendously in finding the authentic voice of my brand/business and brought concepts and ideas to the table that I would have never been able to dream up on my own. Intuitive, supportive and masterful. And outside of their brilliance in branding and creating, Modern Species is made of a group of warm and wonderful people who were an absolute joy to work with.”

    Devi Brown, Founder, Karma Bliss

  • Some kind words from lovely people…

    “An endangered species! Modern Species works for our brand as if it were their own. A trait you sometimes don't even find in your own employees!!! We always feel as though they have our backs and can continuously rely on them to meet or exceed our expectations!”

    Ana Orselli, Chief Brand Officer, Mora Iced Creamery

  • Some kind words from lovely people…

    “Modern Species in the best. Period. End of story.

    We partnered with Modern Species for Madison Craft Beer Week and they were critical to our success. We had an entire region looking at our brand and Modern Species made us look good! Modern Species helped us build our brand and use it consistently. Modern Species designed, edited, and provided copywriting on most of our collateral materials including advertising (on the side of a bus!), coasters, posters, and guide books. Community and sustainability is an important part of our brand, and Modern Species gets it. With Modern Species on our team we grew from a local, city-wide festival with 70 events our first year, to a region-wide celebration with over 400 events just 5 years later.”

    Jeff Glazer, Founder, Madison Craft Beer Week