Chalkbox Website Redesign
Raising the bar for our own website
Brand Identity
Web Design
When Chalkbox marked its 15th anniversary a couple of years ago, we embarked on a rebranding process that was both exciting and a little excruciating—it’s very hard to serve as both the designer and client! We learned a ton during this project, though, and we were very pleased with the result.
But that didn’t mean the work was done. Once we had the new branding, we needed to bring our website along for the ride. Some of our favorite clients are what we call “milestone-hitters.” These are organizations that have reached a point of growth and maturity where they recognize that it’s time to update their branding, website, marketing materials, or all of the above. How could we maintain credibility with them if our own website didn’t reflect where Chalkbox is today?
We were going to have to put on that client hat again.
Thinking about our own future
We began with extensive research into local and national design agencies at our scale; as expected, many have showpiece websites. We were going to have to rise above that bar. We are confident in our abilities and our work—we simply needed a site that accurately reflects our quality, values, and attitude.
After looking around, it was important for us to look ahead, envisioning where we want to go as a company. So we took the same approach we use for the small businesses, nonprofits, startups, and other organizations we work with—when we say, “Let’s design your future,” we truly mean it. The best brand identities are forward-thinking and flexible, remaining relevant and fresh even as companies grow and evolve. That notion informed everything we did for our website.
Design and discussion
Once we reached the design phase, we created a number of wireframes, mock-ups, and prototypes, which were followed by lively discussions and debates about what was working and what wasn’t. (Did we mention that it is hard to play the role of designer and client at the same time?)
We followed our usual process of narrowing the designs we liked, making refinements, and ultimately landing on a solution that didn’t merely look great, but that also felt right.
The final site functions well over mobile or desktop, showcasing both our new brand and our personality. Just as important, though, is what it doesn’t do: It doesn’t overshadow the clients whose projects we feature, and it doesn’t feel arrogant or inaccessible. Through both the content and the design, clients can immediately get a sense of what it would be like to collaborate with us—and if they want to dig deeper, they can peruse a broad selection of our work or even learn more about design topics and best practices.
Ultimately, it is a site that provides visitors with value and rewards exploration, whether or not they choose to work with Chalkbox. And we’re proud of that.
Has your business evolved?
Businesses change over time, and so do their branding needs. Reaching the right audience requires an identity that accurately reflects your mission, your promise, your story. Is your brand in alignment with what your business has become? We can help you understand where you are today—and where you need to be. Get in touch today to learn more.
