Old School Square is one of Delray Beach’s most recognizable landmarks, a cultural destination that has been part of the community for generations. When Old School Square set out to create a new logo and visual identity, they opened the process to the community through a public design competition.
For me, a longtime Delray Beach resident, the project immediately felt personal. Old School Square has been part of my life for nearly 25 years, and I wanted to create an identity that reflected not only its historic architecture, but also the energy, creativity, and community that make it such a unique destination.
The Concept
I sketched a logo built around a distinct square divided into four quadrants, with each section representing one of Old School Square’s four venues: the Cornell Art Museum, Crest Theatre & Creative Arts School, Amphitheatre Pavilion, and Vintage Gym.
Rather than creating four separate symbols, I wanted the venues to feel like pieces of one larger story. A vibrant watercolor treatment became the foundation of the visual language, allowing the identity to feel expressive, artistic, and connected to the character of Delray Beach.
The Process
I explored a range of visual directions before focusing on the square as the central organizing element. From there, I developed a flexible visual system that allowed each venue to have its own distinct color and expression while remaining clearly connected to the master Old School Square identity.
The watercolor approach was intentional. Its fluidity creates an interplay of color and texture that mirrors the diversity of experiences found within Old School Square, from art and performance to education, history, and community events.
The result was designed to work beyond a single logo. Each venue identity can stand on its own while still functioning as part of a cohesive system, creating a visual connection between the different spaces and experiences that make up Old School Square.
The Outcome
My design was selected as the winning entry in Old School Square’s community logo competition and became the foundation for its new visual identity.
For me, the project was an opportunity to combine strategic branding with something much more personal: a visual expression of a place that has been part of my life and the South Florida community for decades.