Case Study:
Tri-cities Historical Museum

Bringing Historical Museum’s Brand to Life

Project Snapshot

Tri-Cities Historical Museum’s old brand highlighted a traditional historical feel but didn’t reflect the museum’s true warmth and vibrancy visitors experience when they visit the museum.

Client Overview

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum (TCHM) is a museum in Grand Haven inviting individuals and families to explore and connect with the history of Northwest Ottawa County. The Tri-Cities include the communities of Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, and Spring Lake, Michigan.

Industry
Nonprofit
Organization Size
Small
Core Services
Free public museum, seasonal exhibits, events, fundraising
Tri-cities Historical Museum
's
Project

The Tri-Cities Historical Museum had a solid foundation—an established presence, a passionate team, and a commitment to preserving and sharing local history. However, their old brand didn’t quite reflect the museum’s true personality. It felt clean and historic but lacked the warmth and vibrancy that visitors experience. They needed a new brand that represented them more accurately.

Project Goals

Welcoming
Their brand needed to feel  welcoming and playful, while still honoring their historical roots.

Core Values
They wanted the visual to represent their core values of inclusiveness, adaptability, stewardship, and wonder.

Cohesion
The previous brand lacked cohesion, and they wanted consistency across all platforms, including a refreshed website.

Here's What We Did

We surveyed the museum's staff and key volunteers to get a full view of the museum. Then, we took a deep dive into the museum’s mission, audience, and brand identity to create a fresh, cohesive look that truly represented who they are.

Brand Development

We reimagined their logo, colors, and design elements to balance historical depth with a fun, engaging aesthetic. The new branding embraces vibrant hues and dynamic visuals that capture the museum’s lively approach to storytelling.

Photography Direction

We guided new photography that showcases authentic moments of discovery, making visitors feel part of the experience before they even walk through the doors.

Website Refresh

A brand update isn’t complete without a digital facelift. We modernized their website with a more intuitive user experience, streamlined navigation, and engaging visuals that reflect the museum’s energy and inclusivity.

Follow-Up

And Now... The Results!

The new design elements make the museum feel approachable and exciting to both locals and tourists.

A more inviting and engaging presence

The new design elements make the museum feel approachable and exciting to both locals and tourists.

Stronger alignment with their values

Every piece of the brand now reflects their commitment to inclusiveness, adaptability, stewardship, and wonder.

A digital experience that matches the in-person one

The new website makes it easier for visitors to explore exhibits, plan trips, and engage with the museum online.

Before
& After

If you're looking to bring your brand to life, we'd love to help. Let’s chat about how Yellow Lime Creative can partner with you to make it happen.