Adding coolness to a retirement industry podcast
CLIENT
Nevin & Fred
ROLE
Brand Identity
Illustration
Social Media templates
Branded Merchandise
Studio
Seventy5 Studios
Project Overview
ABOUT Nevin & Fred Podcast
THE CHALLENGE
- Develop a brand identity that blends professionalism with a fun, retro-inspired aesthetic.
- Break away from corporate financial industry visuals while maintaining credibility.
- Ensure scalability across podcast platforms, social media, merchandise, and live events.
WHAT I LEARNED
- Developing a scalable brand system that works for digital, print, and merchandise applications.
- Balancing professionalism with playfulness through visual storytelling.
- How to capture personality in branding using character illustrations.
Design process
1. Research & Define
Before starting the design, I conducted in-depth research to analyze branding trends in:
- Retirement industry podcasts (to understand common visual themes and ensure differentiation).
- Non-financial podcasts with two hosts (to explore how personality-driven brands establish their identity).
- Jazz culture & mid-century modern design (to match the show’s intro music and aesthetic inspirations).
Through client interviews, I discovered that Nevin and Fred wanted their brand to feel more relaxed than their traditional corporate personas. Using these insights, I developed a mood board with:
- Primary colors (red, blue, yellow, and beige) to reflect classic mid-century jazz posters.
- Simple, geometric shapes inspired by 1950s graphic design.
- 2D cartoon illustrations to add personality and warmth.
Branding
2. Ideate & Test
I created initial character illustrations of Nevin and Fred, emphasizing their defining features and expressions. We tested the illustrations with industry partners, gathering feedback to refine their resemblance and capture their personalities more accurately.
Once the character designs were finalized, I developed the logo, incorporating:
- A mid-century signboard background to reinforce the jazz theme.
- Custom typography, replacing the letter “I” with a vintage microphone.
- A black contour with slight misalignment, mimicking old-school print techniques.
Design system
3. Deliver & Implement
With the final branding in place, I expanded it into a comprehensive visual system:
Brand Expansion
- Developed social media templates, podcast covers, and event materials to ensure consistency.
- Designed branded merchandise (shirts, posters, and giveaways) to increase audience engagement.
Brand Guidelines
- Compiled everything into a brand manual to ensure long-term consistency across all touchpoints.
Impact
Brand growth
The brand manual and social media templates empowered Nevin and Fred’s marketing team to:
- Redesign the website while maintaining brand consistency.
- Create backdrops for conferences that reinforce the podcast’s visual identity.
- Develop branded content across various media platforms.
Podcast Success
- 5 seasons and counting, with 15 episodes per season, consistently delivering valuable industry insights.
- Invited to talk at National Retirement Conferences and make a “live” Nevin & Fred episodes
Testimonial
