East-West Chanoyu Center
The Challenge
Not Standing on Ceremony
When Executive Director Bonnie Mitchell reached out to GIRVIN to refresh the look and outreach of the Seattle-based tea center, we were happy to put our expertise and experience with Japanese culture to use. The Center needed an official logo, a new flyer, and collateral for a cohesive look befitting the orderly and serene tradition of ceremonial tea service.
The Solution
An Experience for the Sinensis
We began the logo, using a GIRVIN-designed font and exploring various imagery associated with Japanese tea ceremony culture and process. The result was a classic letter-spaced serif over a hanko (Japanese signature stamp) featuring a branch of camellia sinensis—the tea plant. We also created a double-sided flyer for the purpose of disseminating them to K-12 teachers at local schools to attract engagement with and introduce the world of Japanese tea culture to younger generations. Application of this branding to a business card and letterhead for Bonnie helped establish her as an official point of contact, and development of a shipping label made any mailings look and feel more legitimate as an authentic communication.
Identity
Marketing Materials
Messaging
Print
“
I’ve had the pleasure of collaborating with Tim Girvin and the GIRVIN team. They are thoughtful, insightful listeners and truly gifted collaborators.
When I needed to elevate the visual presence and marketing outreach for the East-West Chanoyu Center — a non-profit organization dedicated to building awareness and offering meaningful experiences in the 400-year-old Japanese art and culture of tea known in the West as the tea ceremony — I turned to them.
Their work now supports my direct outreach to teachers, schools, and students through elegant flyers and digital material that tell the story of Chanoyu and invite students to discover its beauty and depth.
Including GIRVIN’s deep legacy in Japanese culture and their extensive experience working in Japan, I’m delighted with where we’ve arrived — poised at the edge of the tatami, ready to begin.”
Bonnie Mitchell | executive director
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