We were commissioned by venture capital firm Anthemis to create an identity for their new editorial platform, HackingFinance, that would position the project as a boundary-pushing fintech thought leader.

We created an irreverent custom blackletter logotype and a toolbox of color and pattern that can be mixed and matched across brand touchpoints, beginning with a robust online editorial platform and shop.

The site is also full of playful details and Easter eggs, including a tongue-in-cheek “Banker Mode,” which toggles on a SFW (Safe for Work) mirror site poking fun at traditional fintech aesthetics.

We were also tasked with art directing and designing an eponymous print magazine.

The publication builds on the brand’s eclectic visual style with a mix of crisp typography and hand lettering. Executed across a reader-style format, the design speaks to those outside of the traditional fintech audience yet remains approachable to those within it.

The inaugural issue includes contributions by IanBogost, KharySepth, AmyBrilland others, with stories about the intersection of skateboarding and capitalism; VC cult hero, CarlotaPerez; intergalactic commerce; and much more—featuring original illustration and photography commissioned by our team.

In keeping with the visual identity we established for Hacking Finance, pattern and color play a crucial role throughout the magazine, offsetting each article while creating a lively reading experience that stands out from other financial publications.

From its launch in 2018 through 2020 we oversaw all art direction for the brand’s site and other special projects, including “The Shade,” a podcast exploring the margins of tech and money, and newsletter templates for monthly content roundups and a weekly “If You Read One Thing” series.

We also created branded swag, marketing, and signage for live events, including an annual retreat in Méribel, France.