Dionne Design Studio

case study

MUSKRAT LODGE WRITERS RETREAT​

Services

Web design

Brand design

Social media marketing

profile

Muskrat Lodge is a multi-day retreat hosted by best-selling author Karen Dionne and a rotating group of guest instructors. 

case study

MUSKRAT LODGE WRITERS RETREAT​

Services

Web design

Brand design

Social media marketing

profile

Muskrat Lodge is a multi-day retreat hosted by best-selling author Karen Dionne and a rotating group of guest instructors. 
THE CHALLENGE
The retreat commands a premium price and attracts serious writers — but the setting needed to feel like an elevated destination rather than someone’s house. There was no existing brand to build from. Everything started from scratch.

THE Approach

The design direction leaned into the natural environment without romanticizing it. The goal was a brand that felt rooted and specific to its place, without tipping into the rustic or kitschy aesthetic that nature-inspired brands so often fall into. Every element was chosen to signal quality and seriousness of purpose.
THE CHALLENGE
The retreat commands a premium price and attracts serious writers — but the setting needed to feel like an elevated destination rather than someone’s house. There was no existing brand to build from. Everything started from scratch.

THE Approach

The design direction leaned into the natural environment without romanticizing it. The goal was a brand that felt rooted and specific to its place, without tipping into the rustic or kitschy aesthetic that nature-inspired brands so often fall into. Every element was chosen to signal quality and seriousness of purpose.

The work

Full brand identity and custom website, including online retreat registration, room booking, waitlist signups, and a private portal for each cohort. The portal gave registered guests access to fellow attendees, a space to upload manuscripts for peer review, and logistical information leading up to their arrival, creating a friction-free experience for attendees.

the result

The client took over site management seamlessly after handoff. The brand now lives across social media, property signage, branded touches throughout the space, and a merchandise line. What started as a visual identity has become a fully realized world. The brand attracts the right people. The retreat earns their loyalty.

(testimonial)