Union Square

Hip to be Square

Services
  • Brand Strategy
  • Brand Identity
  • Brand Activation
  • Branded Environment
  • Website
Industry
  • Arts & Culture
  • Public Space

Where Frank Lloyd Wright Meets Jimmy Choo

Union Square is at the heart of San Francisco, quite literally. It has been around since 1850 and was ready to reinvent itself within a city that was changing rapidly around it. In research and positioning, we looked to that storied past and embraced what the square represents to both global tourists and locals alike today. It all came down to a whole lot of everything in just a few square blocks. A vibrant neighborhood that earned its spot at the heart of one of the greatest cities we’ve got. We brought it all to life with a refined and equally boisterous brand identity and voice that spoke to the beautiful union of all the things in and around the square.

Union Square shopping center window signs, branding and design by j2

The Beating Heart of San Francisco

From workshops with retailers to site visits and surveys, our research and discovery led us to the heart of the matter…Union Square is the quintessential heart of San Francisco and always has been. They just needed to own it. This inspired our creative work and became a rallying cry for a once-thriving district on the way back up.

union square text logo with rainbow type, design by J2
Union Square text logo designed by J2

Business in the front. Party in the rear.

The new brand is designed to capture the timeless energy, joy, and variety that Union Square packs into its streets. The logotype flexes to be colorful and diverse for the public, while remaining strong and established for the Union Square Alliance, the business improvement district. It’s a perfect expression of form following function as a single brand becomes two.

billboards with bright colored type and logos, Union Square branding by J2
Union Square digital billboard by J2

One and All

Inspiring locals to play tourist and tourists to play local, the brand voice and visual identity invite everyone to play. With a refined and equally boisterous tone, the essence of Union Square speaks to the beautiful union of all the things you can experience in just a few square blocks.

Union Square branded coasters designed by J2
Lamp post banner with Union Square typography and logo designed by J2

Squared Up

With a name like Union Square, it was a no-brainer to run with the almighty square as our hero graphic element, celebrating each corner in all it forms. With infinite opportunities for interpretation — confetti to content containers and everything in between — the brand celebrates Union Square as a bustling melting pot that is anything but square.

Padded mailing envelope with Union Square logo by J2
Shopping bag with handle and varying typeface, Union Square branding by J2
Graphic postcard for Union Square by J2
Union Square branded business cards with logo and graphic design by J2

Painting the Town

In and around the square, we transformed street cleaners into brand champions, trash cans into billboards, and maintenance vehicles into traveling art pieces. This not only made a colorfully striking impact on the cityscape, it reinforced the Alliance’s ongoing commitment as stewards of San Francisco.

Three Union Square ambassadors standing behind a podium ready to help
Transit van painted blue and branded with Union Square circles and squares graphics by J2

Site Fit for the Square

As a gateway to the city, Union Square’s website needed to be a virtual expression of that same concept. With a simplified sitemap and an intuitive design focused on the visitor experience, you can scroll from Gucci to Nike in no time flat — and from a Christmas tree lighting to a drag show just like that.

Custom smart phone app for Union Square shopping district, branding and design by J2

“They’re truly client-focused and eager to hear our needs. They advise us along the way. Listen to J2’s advice and work with them — they’re excellent.”

Benjamin Horne—Deputy Director, Union Square

illuminated billboard with multicolored typography, Union Square branding by J2
Sample social media ads using saturated colors and circle and square shapes, Union Square branding by J2
Poster featuring two blocks of color and serif font, Union Square branding by J2
Construction signage for Union Square, logo and branding by J2
Three posters in a train station, branding for Union Square by J2
illustration of two happy designers opening modern door to a brick office building

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