ArtBoard Confession Vol. 1: Letters2Our

A behind-the-scenes look at how I turn messy artboards, tough design decisions, and intentional storytelling into brands that actually mean something.

Welcome to my creative playground—also known as my Illustrator artboard. This is where the magic, mess, and mindset come together. What you're looking at is the live, unfiltered journey of designing the brand identity for Letters2Our. Organized chaos? Absolutely. But every decision on this board is backed by years of design experience and an instinct for storytelling through visuals.

Brand Overview: Letters2Our

Letters2Our transforms the intimate act of writing letters to our fathers into an accessible, interactive digital experience rooted in authenticity, vulnerability, healing, and hope. This platform invites a broad and diverse audience to connect with deeply personal stories, contribute their own, and engage in community-building that honors the voices and legacies of Black men—especially fathers.

It blends storytelling, technology, and resource-sharing, offering a space that feels intentional and impactful. This isn’t just a visual identity—it’s a living, breathing story.

My Process, My Rules

Here’s one thing I never skip: designing with the moodboard up present. I use the moodboard to help guide every type choice, every layout, every marking. Before I even think about color, the logo has to work in black and white. That’s non-negotiable. If it doesn’t hold its own stripped of color, it won’t stand the test of time. Once I have that locked, I bring in the brand colors to test compatibility and storytelling. Every shade must say something.

Struggles in the Design Process

I always start by dumping fonts on the board. It may look excessive, but I need to see it all to feel it all. The biggest challenge for this one? That number "2." The placement had me opening some of my old graphic design books. I needed to decide if it should be quiet and subtle, or bold and central? After testing every variation I could remember and that Pinterest had to offer, I finally landed on a position that gave balance and purpose.

Even with all my experience, some designs still make me work for it. For Letters2Our, it was the scalability piece. I asked myself: can this logo expand with the brand? Can it flex for events, digital archives, campaigns, and still feel whole? That forward-thinking mindset is what separates good logos from great ones. I designed this to be a foundation—not just a moment.

My Best,

Casey Renae