The Caspian Post is Toronto-based media company which shares stories and perspectives of the Caspian Sea region.
Starting with pencil sketches we worked through which symbol would connect the region, and not be too tied to one culture vs. another. In Azerbaijani the word ‘nahish’ means ‘motif’. In may rugs along the silk road trading route, whether they were Turkic, Persian, or originating from some where else, there are different motifs a part of rug designs which symbolize different things.
This square spiral symbol is present in many rugs and symbolizes running water, and life. It also works on its own if the viewer doesn’t know the whole backstory of ‘nahish’, as it resembles a wave in water.
We wanted a classic but modern typography. Something that works to be timeless but also doesn’t look like a direct copy to a current news organization.
After creating the branding guide which included alternate patterns, colors, typography, web styling, Social Media, swag, and letterhead, I also created a series of maps which matched the branding.
My role was the branding and custom vectors. Note the actual news website shown in the mockup was built and designed by a third-party agency. I did some web styling consulting for the post pages.