The Kensington Tool Library — a co-op in its beginning stages — needed a recognizable mark and clear messaging to better promote themselves and help gather funding. I worked with the founders to produce a visual identity that communicates the three main aspects of their mission with a mark that can be interpreted simultaneously as a ruler, bookshelf, and skyline.
RULER
Be a tool-lending resource: Tools are often expensive and can provide an unnecessary barrier-to-entry for those who want to fix their houses. The tool library lends tools via an affordable yearly membership.
BOOKSHELF
Offer continuous training: In the long term, the co-op will offer classes on how to use available tools to fix your own house. For those looking for jobs in construction and repair, the co-op hopes to provide training and pathways for neighbors to get jobs in the field.
SKYLINE
Build strong community ties: The co-op not only requires an internal group accountability, but also actively works to increase neighbor engagement and adapt to the needs of the community.
As a group-led co-op, the Kensington Tool Library's logo design must be effortless to use in various applications. The mark had to be easy to hand-draw on a poster and remain recognizable. The typeface had to be easy and free to access so that all members of the co-op could use the identity on future flyers, posters, and more.
The result is an identity that I am excited to see evolve along with the organization.
