“backed up” podcast branding
Objective: Create a captivating visual identity for "Backed Up" on Cincinnati Public Radio NPR. Inspired by the playful essence of retro 70s aesthetics, bringing color to a typically gray & brown subject matter. 💩 The result? A visually striking design package that includes a podcast cover image, illustrated mini-png stickers, and a promotional flyer template.
→ concept sketching
→ custom typography creation
→ illustration
→ poster design
Freelance Client Project: Cincinnati Public Radio, Cincinnati Ohio
client provided inspiration
round 1 sketching
CONCEPT #1 - “Retro Pipes and Rain Drops”
Picture a fusion of vintage charm and modern chaos as the 70s-inspired font proudly spells out "Backed Up," taking center stage in a multidimensional dance. The composition comes alive with a vibrant tapestry of colorful pipes, intricately intertwining and weaving through the canvas, reminiscent of the labyrinth that is Cincinnati's plumbing and sewer system. The leaky pipes symbolize the long-standing issues plaguing the city
CONCEPT #2 - “Mystery-Solving Detectives”
Picture a city street stretching into the horizon, drawing you into the heart of Cincinnati's plumbing mysteries. At the center of the sketch, a large magnifying glass, emblazoned with the words "Backed Up," hovers above a partially open manhole cover, unveiling a world beneath. Peering through the darkness are cartoon eyes. The vibrant colors breathe life into the scene, with pipes, plumbing symbols, and rain drops scattered through the composition. Get ready to don your detective hat and explore the concealed stories that the manhole covers and magnifying glasses hold.
CONCEPT #3 - “Sewer Monster Mashup”
Drawing inspiration from classic Scooby-Doo monsters and villains – we see a drippy sewer monster character in the bottom right corner, reaching out to the viewer. The retro swirling patterns and textures in the background add a touch of vintage flair, setting the stage for a blast from the past. The title lock-up, "Backed Up," steals the show as its own bold and dimensional logo feature, promising an immersive experience that goes beyond the surface.
CONCEPT #4 - “Manhole Madness”
At the forefront of this design is a captivating title logo, commanding attention as it boldly sprawls across an eye-catching, illustrated Cincinnati manhole cover. The manhole cover takes center stage. Surrounding the manhole cover is a bold vintage stripe pattern, radiating a vibrant energy that harks back to a bygone era. The design is simple, yet its boldness demands attention, ensuring that it stands out prominently in the lineup of show titles. Bold, colorful, and unapologetically attention-grabbing—this design sets the stage for an exploration that goes beyond the surface.
CONCEPT #5 - “Rainbow Raincloud Toilet”
Nestled in the bottom left corner is a symbolic toilet, a humble nod to the often overlooked epicenter of Cincinnati's plumbing challenges. From this toilet emerges a burst of vibrant energy—a playful rainbow shooting up into the sky. Wrapped in a swirly raincloud, the show's title, "Backed Up," is proudly cradled amidst the cheerful chaos. This visual metaphor presents a daring juxtaposition, a celebration of the podcast's mission to dive into the dark and stinky depths of the city's plumbing and sewer system while infusing it with unexpected vibrancy.
CONCEPT #6 - “What Lurks Beneath...”
This visual captures the essence of the "Backed Up" podcast, where the city's skyline meets the intricate, hidden world beneath. In the top third of the composition, the familiar silhouette of the Cincinnati skyline stands tall. However, as the eye descends into the lower two-thirds, the viewer will find colorful pipes emerge from under the city, snaking and intertwining, each one leaking droplets of water. These vibrant conduits symbolize the labyrinthine complexity of the sewer system. Woven within the pipes is the show’s title, "Backed Up." The very infrastructure that is the focus of the podcast becomes the canvas for the show's identity.
digital concept drafts
color exploration
show title & font exploration
final show logo design, poster template, & illustrated “stickers”
application & use
Backed Up LIVE Community Event
Backed Up LIVE Community Event
Backed Up Branding on Spotify Library
Backed Up Branding on NPR Website
Article about the Backed Up podcast on Cincinnati Public Radio Site
Banner ad for Backed Up