village of madisonville branding

/ KOLAR DESIGN

Community Engagement Session #01

Madisonville, a neighborhood in Cincinnati, has witnessed significant transformation and development in recent years. As the community evolves, a need arises to redefine its identity, capturing its rich history and newfound vibrancy. This project, initiated by the Madisonville Community Urban Redevelopment Corporation (MCURC), aims to rebrand Madisonville, crafting a narrative that resonates with its past while embracing its future.

MCURC collaborated with Kolar Design to develop the new branding, ensuring the brand story was crafted with genuine input from Madisonville’s diverse community. Utilizing Pitchbox™, a facilitation tool, the team gathered insights and feedback from community members, which became the foundation for the brand's development. This collaborative approach ensured that the final brand identity was professionally designed and deeply rooted in the community's voice.

MADISONVILLE OHIO

YEAR 2017
CLIENT
Village of Madisonville
LISC - Local Initiatives Support Corporation
MCURC - Madisonville Community Urban Revelopment Corp.

ROLE Design Lead / Strategist
PROGRAM Brand Identity, Placemaking

VILLAGE OF MADISONVILLE

Madisonville's roots trace back over 200 years, making it a neighborhood steeped in the American Dream. Historically, it has been a community that champions resilience, diversity, and self-determination. The recent developments and progress in the area have set the stage for a renewed vision, one that captures the essence of Madisonville's spirit.

Hear more about Madisonville through NPR’s six (6) part audio series.

Madisonville In Focus
NPR | 2016

https://www.wvxu.org/madisonville-in-focus

“In 2016, “WVXU set up our microphones in Madisonville and asked people to sit down and talk with us about their community. They told us what they loved, worried about, and their dreams for the future. The WVXU news staff took all that information and spent more time in Madisonville doing our own investigating. These stories are a result of these Community Conversations.

WVXU hopes to be able to visit more neighborhoods in the future.”

BRAND GUIDELINES

OBJECTIVES

The primary goal of this initiative is threefold

Brand and Marketing Strategy Development: Establish a cohesive and resonant brand identity for Madisonville that reflects its unique character and aspirations.
Physical Improvements and Wayfinding: Identify and implement enhancements to the urban landscape, ensuring seamless connectivity between the two primary development areas.
Community Engagement: Prioritize the involvement of Madisonville's residents in the rebranding process, ensuring that the new identity is a true reflection of the community's values and vision.

PILLARS

The branding strategy is anchored in four core pillars:

WELCOMING
Embracing diversity and fostering an inclusive environment where residents and visitors feel at home.

PASSION
Celebrating the community's enthusiasm and commitment to growth, development, and mutual support.

INITIATIVE
Recognizing the proactive spirit of Madisonville's residents and businesses, who have been instrumental in shaping the neighborhood's trajectory.

COMMUNITY
Strengthening community bonds, drawing from Madisonville’s rich cultural, economic, and creative resources.