case study
MUSKRAT LODGE WRITERS RETREAT
Services
Web design
Brand design
Social media marketing
Website
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
Website
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.
Visual Identity
The color palette, typography, and imagery were all drawn directly from the landscape surrounding the lodge, creating a visual language that feels specific to its place
Wordpress
Built on WordPress to support the robust booking functionality the site required. Continued support keeps everything running smoothly.
Copywriting
The website copy needed to do more than set a mood. Every page had to move a visitor toward a decision.
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)
