Boston Court Pasadena
A visual identity blends genres in ways that are as unexpected as this unconventional 99-seat theater itself.
A gift to the community.
Boston Court was conceived as a tribute to the arts from an audience perspective—“a gift to the community.” Although it grew comfortable being “not everybody’s theater”, it also wanted to widen its appeal. The new brand for Boston Court Pasadena addresses a long-standing naming challenge. It also launches a bold new mark designed to playfully blend genres in ways that are as unexpected, adventurous, and unconventional as the programs themselves. It turns out you don’t have to change name to change the conversation.
Venture forward.
Boston Court Pasadena had established an excellent reputation with a dedicated core audience—primarily knowledgeable theater admirers, professional peers, and some local theater goers. Yet too many people still didn’t know about Boston Court, or couldn’t explain why they had yet to attend a performance. We emboldened visual recognition with daring visuals to strategically draw audiences and invite them to venture forward. It worked.
Kyle Clausen, Executive Director
“This branding work has resulted in epic progress for Boston Court. Honoring 15 years of history, while simultaneously pushing us to challenge long-held beliefs and look to the future is no small feat, and the DISTINC_ team did this with creativity, flexibility, humor, and intelligence. Their process was revelatory for both Board and Staff members, opening the door to difficult, but needed conversations, and the results have brought renewed excitement and energy to both our internal planning, as well as to our public image.”
Services
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An immersive study investigates quantitative data and qualitative evidence from a variety of stakeholder groups. This audit helps identify how far your organization has come as well as understand what may stand in the way of progress.
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Ideation workshops offer a variety of hands-on exercises tailored to your organization’s unique situation. The group experience is strategically designed to test readiness for change and to help envision how quickly your organization can pivot.
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A strategy for change is not always easy to deploy as it often challenges old habits. Brand evolution permeates throughout your entire organization and we work together as a team to cultivate opportunities as well as navigate challenges.
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A strategic brand positioning clearly declares what sets your organization apart vis-à-vis the audiences you target and the competitors you face. Building consensus helps build enthusiasm and trust in the future.
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Your brand identity is much more than the sum of a logo, a set of typefaces, and hex codes pleasing to the eye. It can be a living, breathing, flexible system that is both open enough to communicate across your varied audiences and focused enough to cultivate a united brand experience, full of intent.
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Every organization has a voice. And every brand voice has a purpose: to distill your collective personality and ethos into a coherent expression that is accessible across many audiences.
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Organizations deserve websites that strive to satisfy visitors’ needs and deliver a delightful experience—nailing both aspects yields superlative UX. Guided by accessibility and current best practices, we develop award-winning websites that balance simplicity and depth.
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Compelling brands can only go so far without a proper deployment plan to put them to market. We architect strategic communication roadmaps across social, digital, print, experiential that achieve measurable results.
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Brands are driven by people, and people are driven by principles. We coach individuals within your organization to speak their truths while simultaneously seeing themselves as brand advocates. This training builds up collective values unique to your brand, and empowers everyone to do their part in sustaining them.