San Antonio Botanical Garden
San Antonio Botanical Garden, a cherished cultural landmark in Texas, partnered with us to design a commemorative logo for its 45th anniversary. The design needed to celebrate the Garden’s heritage while embracing a fresh, festive aesthetic, all while featuring its iconic Moy Grande Hibiscus.
San Antonio Botanical Garden, one of Texas’s beloved cultural and horticultural destinations, approached our agency to design a commemorative logo for its 45th anniversary.
The Garden’s stakeholders sought a design honoring its history, maintaining consistency with its established brand identity, and celebrating its role in the local community. A key requirement was the inclusion of the Moy Grande Hibiscus, a distinctive cultivar developed at the Garden in the 1980s.
Marrying History and Progress
The primary challenge was balancing the future of the Garden with tradition. Many board members and community stakeholders expressed a strong attachment to the Moy Grande Hibiscus, which is prominently featured in the Garden’s long-standing primary logo. The new anniversary logo needed to pay homage to this iconic element while introducing a fresh, celebratory aesthetic and is being used as the primary logo for the Garden during the 45 Anniversary year. Additionally, the logo had to be versatile enough for use across a variety of promotional materials, particularly during San Antonio’s vibrant Fiesta Week.
Letting Design Lead
To align with the Garden’s objectives, our design process began with an in-depth exploration of its existing brand elements. We carefully examined the color palette, typography, and existing marketing materials. Our goal was to create a design that felt both familiar and refreshed.
We chose Tomato Grotesk as the primary typeface, which provided a modern yet approachable feel that complemented the Garden’s branding. The color palette was carefully adapted to ensure harmony with the existing brand identity while enhancing vibrancy for a festive, celebratory appeal.
The final design features a redrawn Moy Grande Hibiscus, which sits elegantly atop the number “45,” reminiscent of a decorative hat. This placement nods to the celebratory spirit of the milestone while preserving the flower’s prominence in the Garden’s visual identity. The logo integrates seamlessly with the primary brand while standing out as a distinctive commemorative mark.
In addition to the logo, we developed a complementary pattern using the logo artwork, which was incorporated into various brand materials.
A Year of Celebration
To support business and fundraising activities throughout the anniversary year, we designed a suite of collateral, including letterhead, business cards, correspondence cards, and thank-you cards. These materials ensured a cohesive visual identity while reinforcing the significance of the 45th anniversary celebration.
Since its launch, the 45th-anniversary logo has been well-received by both internal stakeholders and the local community. The design successfully bridges tradition and modernity, ensuring that the legacy of the San Antonio Botanical Garden is honored while positioning the brand for future growth. The logo’s versatility has allowed it to be effectively applied across digital, print, and event materials, reinforcing the Garden’s presence during key celebrations.
By combining a thoughtful design approach with a deep respect for the organization’s history, our agency delivered a logo that not only marks an important milestone but also strengthens the Garden’s connection with its audience.