Relevance in the 16th Century and the 21st
The Challenge
Our Strategy
All the District’s a Stage: Creating an Identity for Shakespeare Everywhere
Relevance in the 16th Century and the 21st
When Shakespeare Theatre Company set out to make the entire city of Washington, D.C. their stage, they turned to The Brand Guild to craft a cohesive and dynamic identity for the Shakespeare Everywhere festival. Tasked with designing the festival’s logo, visual identity, digital presence, and marketing materials, The Brand Guild sought to create a look that honored the timelessness of Shakespeare while making his works feel fresh and accessible to a modern audience. The bespoke logo—a hand-drawn rendering of the Bard himself—reinforced the writerly essence of Shakespeare, grounding the festival in a rich literary tradition while exuding a contemporary, engaging appeal.
The Brand Guild developed a striking visual identity that unified all festival touchpoints, from print materials to digital experiences. The festival’s vibrant color palette, bold typography, and clean design allowed for a seamless blend of classic and contemporary aesthetics, ensuring Shakespeare felt just as relevant in the 21st century as he did in the 16th. A beautifully designed catalog showcased the festival’s diverse performances, from ballet to immersive theater, while a robust digital presence—including an engaging website and dynamic social media content—ensured that audiences could easily discover and engage with the festival’s offerings.
The results were undeniable: Shakespeare Everywhere became a city-wide celebration, with a clear and compelling identity that resonated across different mediums and audiences. By positioning the festival as a cultural moment rather than just a series of performances, The Brand Guild helped Shakespeare Theatre Company not only fill seats but also ignite a broader conversation about the enduring power of Shakespeare’s work. The seamless integration of design, storytelling, and digital strategy turned Shakespeare Everywhere into more than a festival—it became a movement.
