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Cortland Curiosities was a first-of-its-kind tourism trail focused on odd attractions that leaned toward the creepy side. We worked with Cortland County to develop the concept for this “Strange and Forgotten History Trail,” which leads visitors on themed tours of sites steeped in local lore and horror. When it came time to create the logo, we knew it had to tell a story that would inspire intrigue.
We began the process of crafting a suitably spooky logo with lots of research. We studied all of the mysterious and eerie historical events and locations from the trails to determine which would make for the best imagery to incorporate into our designs. From the Cortland Clock Tower Fire to the famous “Arson Girl” of Cortland County, we considered them all and tried tons of variations. We wove matchsticks, clock faces, ominous trees, winding paths and more into our many macabre creations.
The fonts and the monochromatic color palette were chosen very deliberately; wanting to play to the creepy and antiquated nature of many stops on the trail, we kept our logo options black and white, with the thought that they would stand off nicely from a distinctive supporting color palette we would determine later. We explored many typographical options, taking inspiration from horror movies, vintage metal printing type, calligraphy and many other sources. With some refinement, we were ready to show off our favorite freaky options.
After a few rounds of tweaking with the client, we ended up with the final, frightening logo you see here. The client especially loved this one because it reminded them of Tim Burton’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas,” and with the mix of whimsy and mystery swirling within the logo’s confines, we can see it! Enclosed by otherworldly, reaching trees, a curious nighttime scene is depicted: a girl walking into a circus tent (referencing the Sig Sautelle Circus), emerging from swirling mist. A black cat and a raven, classic horror staples, are present as well to add to the atmosphere. A lit match nested into the lettering alludes to a number of fire- and firetruck-related stories along the trail, and even the girl herself could perhaps be the aforementioned “Arson Girl,” or maybe even Lydia Edwards, Cortland County’s first murderess!
All together, these elements encapsulate the essence of this strange and forgotten history trail in a detailed, eye-catching emblem that brings attention to this unique attraction.
About The Author
Bryce is well-versed in creative thinking and the art of design, capably taking on any task that comes his way. He’s no stranger to ABC, having served as an intern since his high school days. Bryce is now a full-time part of the team and invaluable member of the staff who is constantly coming up with cool compositions for application in all media.
Bryce is a proud sound junkie, using an endless array of music genres as his muse for creating fantastic design or just chilling out. A devout sneakerhead, you’ll catch him wearing his latest pair to transport him all around his beloved Syracuse community.