From DIY to Divine: How Strategic Design Elevated a Portland Salon
When Chan, my long-time stylist, launched her own salon suite Portland Curl Room, she started like many entrepreneurs – with a DIY logo created in Canva. While her talent for curls was undeniable, her visual identity wasn't doing her new business justice. Think clashing colors, illegible fonts, and a general air of confusion about what Portland Curl Room actually offered. But here's the thing - Chan's vision was crystal clear, even if her branding wasn't.
Portland Curl Room needed to stand out in a market where several stylists share the same niche. But as a trans-owned private salon suite in Northwest Portland, Chan was creating something uniquely inclusive and affirming. The challenge was making the outside match the magic happening inside.
“It was eye opening seeing how much goes into making a logo! I loved the whole process.”
- Chan, owner & stylist of Portland Curl Room
The transformation began with typography that reflected Chan's signature cuts: bouncy, playful, and full of life. We created curvaceous, retro-inspired lettering that captured that "just stepped out of the salon" feeling without relying on obvious curl motifs. The result? Modern, approachable branding that feels as authentic as the creative work happening inside the salon.
Color presented another opportunity for refinement. The original palette felt dated and hard on the eyes. We explored softer browns paired with warm brights, ultimately landing on a sophisticated pink and black combination – that's professional enough for business but vibrant enough to turn heads. Understanding the practical needs of a small business, we developed a flexible system with simplified variants that work in single colors – because sometimes you just need your logo to work on a black t-shirt.
This wasn't just about making something pretty – it was about creating a vibrant, unintimidating brand identity that legitimizes Chan's expertise. The transformation of Portland Curl Room reminds us why we love helping entrepreneurs level up from their DIY phase. Chan's talent and vision were always there – we just helped create the refined visual language to match. Now Portland Curl Room has a brand identity that's as authentic as the curls Chan creates, proving that sometimes the best transformations happen outside the styling chair.
Want your brand to match your talent? Chan's story shows what happens when authentic expertise meets intentional design. Your vision deserves visuals that do it justice.
Whether upgrading from Canva or starting fresh, we transform brand identities into something that captures what makes your business special and turns scrollers into clients.