Solar Driftwood
As an independent podcast production studio, Solar Driftwood specializes in comedy and storytelling. We partnered with Solar Driftwood to launch a website and brand identity inspired by Orson Welles’ radio adaptation of “The War of the Worlds.”
Scope
Brand strategy
Visual identity
Logo design
Website strategy
Website design
Website development
Brand story
In 1938, The Mercury Theatre on the Air radio series broadcast a radio play about a martian invasion. The episode was an adaptation of the novel “The War of the Worlds” that was directed and narrated by Orson Welles. Because the broadcast mimicked news bulletins, many listeners believed it to be true. It caused mass hysteria across the country and was perhaps the first viral moment of the broadcast age.
Solar Driftwood pays homage to this seminal event in the history of audio storytelling. It exists at the intersection of radio, news and theatre by writing and producing podcasts that sometimes mock present day media and other times offer serious journalism. Solar Driftwood juxtaposes humor and satire with the power of storytelling.
Logo
Emanating lines reference sound waves or perhaps the gravitational pull of a black hole. The all caps logotype is inspired by vintage, editorial headlines while spaced out letters convey vastness. Logo variations provide versatility on applications like social media or document letterheads.
Preliminary logo studies
Visual identity
The visual identity expands on the logo with repetitive lines inspired by sound waves, sun rays and movement. Gritty textures feel vintage and create depth. Dark, contrasting colors symbolize the mystery and vastness of space while pastel accents keep the overall aesthetic light.
Typography
Futura PT is the official typeface for Solar Driftwood. Originally designed in 1927, Futura is a geometric sans serif inspired by the Bauhaus movement. The typeface is timeless and modern while paying homage to the era in which Orson Welles aired the radio production of “The War of the Worlds.”
Team
Claire Smalley
Creative direction, strategy, design & development
Let’s collaborate.
We’ll do the investigative work to provide you with strategic, creative solutions tailored to your needs and resources. Tell us a bit about your project to set up an introductory call.