Front Street District
Designing the visual identity of Hartford's Front Street District
An entertainment district of restaurants, live music, movies, shopping, apartments, and UConn Hartford in downtown Hartford, CT.
Creating a district people can navigate, recognize, and remember.
Front Street District is one of downtown Hartford’s premier destinations for restaurants, entertainment, shopping, apartments, and UConn Hartford. Since 2017, we’ve partnered with the district to shape its visual identity across both physical and digital experiences. Beyond designing the logo and website, we’ve photographed the district, managed social media, and created environmental graphics that help visitors connect with the neighborhood before they ever walk through it.
One of our favorite projects has been the district’s street banner program. Unlike traditional banners that simply display a logo, these installations were designed to strengthen the Front Street brand while helping visitors explore everything the district has to offer. Each banner system was carefully planned around the physical environment, creating a cohesive streetscape that celebrates local businesses, improves wayfinding, and reinforces the district’s identity from every angle.
Banner Design
Designing a Walkable Experience
Rather than repeating the same logo on every light pole, we developed a family of banners that gave visitors something new to discover as they moved through the district. Some highlighted restaurants and attractions, others shared pieces of Hartford’s history, and others helped orient visitors with simple maps and wayfinding. The result was a streetscape that felt informative, engaging, and unmistakably Front Street.
A Refreshed System
As Front Street District continued to grow, the banner program evolved with it. In 2023, we simplified the design system to create a cleaner, more recognizable visual identity while making it easier to feature current tenants and destinations. Historical content gave way to a stronger emphasis on the businesses and experiences that define the district today, resulting in a more flexible system that can continue evolving alongside Front Street. The updated program also included comprehensive layout guidelines documenting every banner location throughout the district to ensure consistent production and installation.
web design + Development
- visual directory
- embedded local weather & map
- curated photography
- side menu layout
Brand Identity
Marketing Campaigns
Starbucks Social Media Promotion
Hartford Yard Goats Cross Promotion
Promotion Celebrating UConn Hartford Opening
Photography
It’s especially rewarding to see creative work become part of a place.
Over the years, our work with Front Street has stretched from brand identity and website design to banners, photography, and social media. Seeing those pieces come together across the district, and become part of the visual landscape of downtown Hartford, is something we’re proud to have played a role in.
x
Looking for a creative partner?