The Short Story blog
When HECA reached out about designing the branding for their 2026 Conference, it felt like a rare kind of opportunity. Not many organizations turn to their own network of members and partners for a project like this—and it meant a lot to be trusted with the creative direction. Working with their team and board leaders, we explored how to visually express the energy and setting of the upcoming conference. The city of Chicago—and its architecture, history, and visual rhythm—became a big source of inspiration. As a designer, I dove into that vibe and came back with a wide range of concepts: logo directions, taglines, visual themes. After rounds of feedback and refining, we landed on a fun exciting concept that captured both the spirit of the location and the message HECA wanted to share. The result? A full brand identity that’s bold, flexible, and built to connect—with a clear nod to the city that’s hosting it all. The final theme—“Building Futures, Together We Rise”—was inspired by the spirit of Chicago. Known for its rich history, iconic architecture, and fun energy, Chicago also brings a unique vibe we wanted to capture. They had a specific color palette in mind but gave us freedom with fonts and illustrations. As someone who once called the Windy City home, I knew we had to weave in a nod to that famous nickname. Designing a brand is always a bit of a balancing act—too many elements can crowd the message. So the challenge was blending all these pieces into something that felt unified and meaningful. We kicked things off with a good old-fashioned brainstorming session to figure out the overall look, and the perfect tagline ended up being the “icing on the cake.” That logo/overall theme become our anchor, shaping every visual choice from start to finish. It helped us nail down the mood of the colors, the rhythm of the type, and the deeper meaning built into the logo. Every detail was guided by that core message. What we built includes: · A flexible theme lockup that works across formats · A color system that feels both vibrant and grounded · Custom icons and social-ready graphics · A bold hero poster to set the tone for the conference · Then package the entire branding board; files and let HECA continue to move forward with their launch for the 2026 Conference. I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes visuals and design process soon—but for now, it’s just exciting to see it out in the world, supporting a conference that brings so many voices together.
Bringing Fresh Flow to a Community Icon: The Tillamook Bay Watershed Council Rebrand When an organization like the Tillamook Bay Watershed Council (TBWC) looks to the future, it helps to start with a brand identity—one that reflects the land, rivers, and spirit of the community it serves. We were honored to partner with TBWC to bring their story to life through a new brand identity and a thoughtfully developed digital presence. A Logo Rooted in the Bay This isn’t just a logo—it’s a visual story. At the center swims a Coho salmon , representing the heartbeat of the watershed. Encircling it are the five rivers —Tillamook, Trask, Wilson, Kilchis, and Miami—that flow into the bay and sustain its life. The haystack rock and tree silhouette in the background is a local icon, grounding the logo in the familiar landscape of our coastal region. It’s a nod to place, heritage, and the people who care for this environment every day. Design and Development with Purpose Creating the landing page was no small task. It needed to be clear, engaging, and easy to navigate, especially for a community nonprofit. We designed and built it to serve as both a welcoming introduction and a practical tool—whether someone wants to volunteer, learn, or simply explore the watershed. 🔗 Visit the new page: www.tillamookbaywatershedcouncil.org Just the Beginning We’re now moving into the next phase—developing a full website and crafting a custom marketing strategy to support TBWC’s outreach and restoration efforts. This wasn’t just a design job—it was a partnership grounded in local pride, shared values, and a vision for what’s next.
We’re excited to share one of our latest projects — the complete design and development of the new website for the Bay City Pearl & Oyster Music Festival . Based on the beautiful Oregon Coast, this event is a growing celebration of music, food, and local culture — and now it has a website that reflects that same energy. As a Tillamook County-based design and development team , we specialize in helping small towns and rural communities bring their events and businesses online in a way that’s modern, user-friendly, and true to their roots. The Bay City festival site is a perfect example. A Full-Service Web Design Project for a Local Event We handled everything from concept to launch — creating a digital home for the festival that is both inviting and functional. Here’s what we delivered: Custom Website Design – Built to reflect the personality of Bay City and the coastal lifestyle. Mobile-Friendly Development – Optimized for phones, tablets, and desktops so festival-goers can find what they need on the go. Easy Navigation & Clean Structure – Whether users are looking for band lineups, vendor forms, or parking info, it’s all easy to find. Scalable for the Future – Designed to grow with the festival, with flexible content areas and event scheduling tools. Visual Identity That Lasts: Our Festival Logo & Branding This was also the second year in a row the event has used our festival logo and visual branding — a design that’s now become part of the festival’s long-term identity. We’re honored to see it gain recognition across print, signs, and merchandise. The logo was crafted to represent the Bay’s unique coastal character, the joy of live music, and the community spirit that defines this event. Helping Local Events Shine Online — Across Tillamook County and Beyond Whether you're organizing a festival, launching a small business, or refreshing your online presence, we offer professional website design and branding services rooted in rural values and modern solutions. We proudly serve clients throughout Tillamook County , the Oregon Coast , and beyond — helping events and organizations grow with a digital presence that works. Need a website that brings your event or brand to life? Let’s talk — we’re here to build something beautiful, practical, and uniquely you.
Tillamook's Downies Downtown Cafe/Food Truck
Your Google Strategy: What’s Ranking (and What’s Not)? We recently shared The Half-Life of Social Media Posts , breaking down how fast your brilliant content disappears into the void on social media. Spoiler: pretty fast. But Google? Google isn’t just looking for fresh content—it’s looking for a full-on content buffet. If your strategy is “blog posts and nothing else,” you’re basically serving up plain toast when your audience (and Google) is craving a full meal. Expanding your content mix isn’t just a nice-to-have—it’s the key to more traffic, more engagement, and better rankings.
Some online spaces provide fleeting exchanges like a chat with strangers in an elevator, while others are like a cozy library nook, inviting for extended narratives and repeat visitors, and encouraging readers to linger. On one side, you've got Facebook, and on the other, you've got blog posts. Or think of it a different way... Facebook is like an airplane skywriting your message across a clear blue sky— it grabs attention instantly (from those who happen to be looking up), but as soon as as a gust of wind blows, poof! It's gone.
At Short Story Marketing, we had the opportunity to let our inner child out, with a little imagination, a lot of creativity, the end result is pure magic in our clients' eyes. Designing the website for Play Favorites , a charming toy store in Front Royal, Virginia, was no exception. In fact, it might have been the most fun we’ve had in a while—because building a site for a toy store is almost as fun as playing with the toys themselves!
In today's fast-paced digital world, a website isn't just an online presence; it's a powerful tool that can drive growth, attract members, and showcase the unique value of an organization. This was the realization the Higher Education Consultants Association (HECA) came to as they found their once-functional website no longer met their evolving needs. They needed a change, and that's where we came in.
Crafting the brand of Ally Striping: A Journey in Design and Development
Behind the Scenes: Designing a local restaurants make over logo
Master the art of SEO-friendly blogging with our gourmet guide. Learn how to craft irresistible content that pleases both Google and your readers.
Let us tell you about a hidden gem in Tillamook County - Jandy Oyster. These folks have been dishing out some of the most delicious seafood you can imagine. But there was a little problem - their online vibe didn’t really scream “Come and get it!” to both the locals and visitors. That's where we came in, ready to give them a digital makeover and put them on the map as the go-to spot for seafood lovers. So, What's the Scoop with Jandy Oyster? Jandy Oyster is all about bringing the freshest oysters straight from the local waters to your plate, making it a seafood lover's paradise. But, let's be honest, their digital presence was kind of like finding a pearl in an oyster - tough to come by. They were practically swimming in the vast ocean of the internet without making much of a splash. The Mission: From Hidden Gem to Local Legend The goal was crystal clear - Jandy Oyster wanted to jazz up their online presence to catch the eye of both the town folks and tourists. They dreamed of becoming the place everyone talked about and where everyone wanted to be seen. How We Spiced Things Up We believe that Jandy Oyster's story is like a fine seafood platter - full of coastal charm and delicious tales waiting to be shared. So, we rolled up our sleeves to create a digital experience that would make you feel the sea breeze and taste the salt in the air. The Recipe for Success Imagine a website that's a visual feast, with stunning photos of Tillamook County's landscapes and drool-worthy shots of Jandy Oyster's dishes. We added a pinch of interactive features, like signing up for special events, joining local clubs for beekeepers, and even ordering garden baskets and veggies. It's all about making you want to dive right in. The Catch of the Day: A Story of Transformation Their online presence now mirrors the passion and excellence that have always been their hallmark, firmly establishing them as a culinary beacon in Tillamook County. Savoring the Victory This digital makeover story is a toast to the magic that happens when great storytelling meets design. At Short Story Marketing, we're over the moon to have been part of Jandy Oyster's voyage to becoming a digital darling. Thinking about taking your business online? Let’s join forces and craft your own tale of success. Cheers to that!
