Some projects come with a long list of guidelines. Do's and Don'ts. Lines to stay in.
This one came with trust.
Kelso’s is one of those spots everyone knows in the Village of East Davenport. Fun. Social. A little chaotic in the best way. The kind of bar where summer nights stretch long, chairs are never where they started, and color is part of the atmosphere.
When the owner handed me creative control for the merch, it was one of those rare green lights designers love. No over-explaining. No over-directing. Just: make it feel like Kelso’s.
That’s when the fun starts.
Letting the Space Lead
Instead of forcing a logo or trendy graphic, the design started with the space itself. The patio is the identity. The chairs, umbrellas, fencing, and layout are instantly recognizable if you’ve ever been there.
So the illustration leans into that. Wide perspective. Bold outlines. Bright, unapologetic color choices. It’s almost architectural, but playful. Structured chaos. Just like the bar on a packed night.
Every color is intentional. Nothing muted. Nothing shy. Kelso’s doesn’t whisper, so the artwork doesn’t either.
Color as a Personality
This piece lives on contrast. Neon-adjacent brights sitting against deep darks. Clean separations between shapes. It’s busy, but controlled. The kind of busy that feels energetic, not messy.
That was the goal. Make something that looks alive from across the bar. From across the street. From across the room on a black tee.
Merch for bars should feel wearable but also collectible. Something you recognize immediately without having to read it twice.
The Final Result
The final graphic feels like Kelso’s on a perfect day. Loud. Welcoming. A little wild. Familiar if you know it, intriguing if you don’t.
That’s always the goal.
Design that reflects the soul of a space, not just its name.