Perham, MN Rebrand

As a senior in NDSU's Graphic Design program, I undertook a semester-long rebrand of my hometown — Perham, MN. The project spanned every phase of the design process, from initial research through printed production and physical installation. Working on a place I grew up in gave this project a personal depth that shaped every creative decision. It deepened my understanding of how branding extends beyond aesthetics — how it shapes a community's identity, the pride residents feel, and the impression it leaves on visitors. This project confirmed that some of my strongest design instincts come from the communities I'm connected to.

My Role: Graphic Design Lead

Deliverables: Logo, Brand Guidelines, Visitor's Guide, Mural

Process: Research → Concepting → Design → Critique → Revisions → Production → Installation

Research: I dedicated the first month entirely to research — studying Perham's history, culture, and existing visual identity while auditing how other small communities had approached their own branding. I visited neighboring towns' visitor centers and collected guides to understand the conventions of the format and where there was room to do something more distinctive. That immersion gave me a strong foundation to build a brand rooted in what makes Perham genuinely itself, rather than something generic.