SHELBY COUNTY PUBLIC SCHOOLS I  CUMBERLAND COUNTY SCHOOLS   I  GRREC

the power of a strong logo

Brand Development + Mascot

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. 😳


➡️ That’s where The Alchemy Collaborative comes in. 



When it comes to branding, our partners typically fall into one of three categories:


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Out with the old, outdated, cluttered design and in with a new, sleek, modern logo!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! 👀

a hybrid refresh

Keeping the best parts, but tidying up the chaos—


hey there, Cumberland County Schools!

a simple cleanup

Same logo, just making it more polished and professional—


talking about you, GRREC!



Three different approaches, one common goal:

a professional, scalable, and effective logo.


thechallenge

Across our state, we see folks struggling with the same branding issues.


  • Outdated Designs

    Some haven’t been updated since bell-bottoms were in style (the first time).

  • 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. 

  • Scalability Issues

    Try putting a low-res logo on a giant stadium banner. Yeah, not cute.

  • 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.” 🥴

Each of these organizations had its own unique struggles.


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.


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already loved their existing logo, but their files were low-res, outdated, and missing key formats.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.


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?



the process

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 😅) to determine what to keep, refine, and scrap.


GRREC just needed a cleanup, so we identified issues with their current logo files and ensured we could replicate them cleanly and accurately.


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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.



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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. 🥸


The Outcome

The results? These logos got the VIP treatment—no more outdated clipart or pixelated disasters! 🤩 


Shelby County Public Schools

A brand new, sleek, and professional identify that reflects their district’s vision and future. 🎉

Cumberland County Schools

A cohesive, cleaned-up brand that keeps its history but finally makes sense. 🎉

GRREC

The same great logo, now polished and professional, with all the right files for any use. 🎉



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

Your Logo = Someone’s 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

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? We can clean it up without reinventing the wheel!

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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:

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✨ Professional-looking (but easy to use) templates



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📢 Custom mailers or magazines


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🏫 Facilities branding 


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A great logo is just the beginning!

🫶 Thinking your logo could use some love? We’ve got you. 

🥳 Excited about the possibilities? Us too—let’s swap ideas and make it happen!

💬 Let’s connect and ensure your brand is something you’re excited to show off—not something you have to keep explaining. 🚀

Your School, Your Story

Ready to elevate your school’s brand?

Let’s create something that captures your legacy, values, and vision.