Shelby County Public Schools I Cumberland County Schools I GRREC
the power of a strong logo
Ah, the school logo. That little emblem that ends up on everything from gym floors to staff polos and the principal’s coffee mug.
But let’s be honest—some of them have seen better days. We’ve encountered some that are pixelated nightmares, while others are so detailed they belong in a Renaissance museum, and a few look like they were drawn in Microsoft Paint circa 1998. ๐ณ
โก๏ธ
That’s where
the alchemy collaborative
comes in.
when it comes to branding, our partners typically fall into one of three categories:
1
a full-on rebrand – out with the old, outdated, cluttered design and in with a new, sleek, modern logo!
looking at you,
Shelby County Public Schools!
2
a hybrid refresh – keeping the best parts, but tidying up the chaos.
hey there,
Cumberland County!
3
a simple cleanup – same logo, just making it more polished and professional.
we're talking about you,
GRREC!
three different approaches, one common goal:
a
professional,
scalable, and
effective logo.
the challenge
Across our state, we see folks struggling with the same branding issues:
across our state, we see folks struggling with the same branding issues:
01
outdated designs
some haven’t been updated since
bell-bottoms were in style (the first time). โ๏ธ
02
inconsistencies
we’re talking a million and one versions here. it seems like every department has their own favorite colors, shapes, and sizes of the logo.it’s like a chaotic logo family reunion. ๐ซฃ
03
scalability issues
try putting a low-res logo on a giant stadium banner... yeah, not cute. ๐
04
lack of professionalism
logos that failed to reflect the district’s values, mission, and vision. a logo should scream school pride, not whisper: “We tried.” ๐ฅด
each of these organizations had its own unique struggles:
GRREC
already loved their existing logo, but their files were low-res, outdated, and missing key formats. they just needed a professional cleanup to make it usable everywhere.
Shelby County Public Schools
was starting from scratch—they wanted an entirely new logo and brand identity that felt more modern, professional, and cohesive.
Cumberland County Schools
had a "greatest hits" situation—except instead of classic bangers, it was a mashup of different logos, fonts, and random elements collected over the years creating a branding nightmare.they needed a refined, consistent brand while keeping some familiar elements.
the process
the alchemy collaborative took each of these partners through a transformation journey, making sure they all ended up with logos that work for everything from letterheads to giant banners at football games.
so, how’d we do it? ๐
1. discovery & research
Shelby County wanted a fresh start, so we did some deep-dive branding discussions, color psychology, and typography analysis to define their new brand identity in order to modernize their look, while making sure it still felt like them.
Cumberland County had some things they loved, and others not so much, so we audited all existing branding (and there was a lot ๐ ) to determine what to keep, refine, and scrap.
๏ปฟ
GRREC just needed a cleanup, so we identified issues with their current logo files and ensured we could replicate them cleanly and accurately.
2. design & development
Shelby County received multiple design concepts, each balancing tradition with a fresh, modern feel. From there, we worked together to find the best fit for them.
Cumberland County got a brand facelift, streamlining their colors, fonts, and logo elements for consistency.
GRREC received a fully vectorized, cleaned-up version of their logo—same great identity, but sharper.
3. refinement & implementation
All three partner organizations received high-res files (PNG, SVG, and more—because we’re fancy like that) so they could confidently use their logos anywhere.
We also provided them with brand guidelines to help educate their staff and community members to ensure no rogue, stretched-out, or recolored versions of their fabulous new logos would pop up in the wild. ๐ฅธ
the outcome
the results?
these logos got the VIP treatment—no more outdated clipart or pixelated disasters! ๐คฉ
Shelby County Public Schools
โ A brand new, sleek, and professional identify that reflects their district’s vision and future. ๐
๏ปฟ
Cumberland County Schools
โ
A cohesive, cleaned-up brand that keeps its history but finally makes sense. ๐
GRECC
โ
The same great logo, now polished and professional, with all the right files for any use. ๐
district leaders from all three organizations reported that their new branding has made their communication efforts more professional and consistent, proving that a logo is more than just an image.
it’s a statement—a symbol of
identity,
pride, and
community that screams professionalism and credibility.
key takeaways
if your district’s logo looks like it’s been through a time machine (but in the wrong direction ๐), here’s what you need to know:
your logo = a first impression
whether it’s on a website, uniform, or social media post, a strong logo makes your district look polished and professional.
scalability matters
at the alchemy collaborative, we ensure your logo is high-resolution and works across all platforms and sizes.
consistency is everything
having the right files and brand guidelines means no more stretched, distorted, or weirdly recolored logos.
you don't have to start over
love your current logo? the alchemy collaborative can help clean it up without reinventing the wheel!
what’s next?
now that Shelby County, Cumberland County, and GRREC have logos they’re proud of, they can move on to bigger branding wins—things like:
โจ Professional-looking (but easy to use) templates
๐ข Custom mailers or magazines
๐ซ Facilities branding
(yes, we do all of that—and more—too!).
a great logo is just the beginning!
๐ซถ thinking your logo could use some love? we’ve got you.
๐ฅณ excited about the possibilities? us too—let’s swap ideas and make it happen!
๐ฌ let’s connect and ensure your brand is something you’re excited to show off—not something you have to keep explaining. ๐
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