The project arose when a past client of ours, whom we worked with to launch a cycling apparel brand called Kitsbow, called me to let me know he had just joined Pacific Cycle (the holding group of Schwinn) as their VP of brand. He was keen to immediately address some of Schwinn’s brand identity issues, and wanted to get to work right away.

We went through the typical process to undertake a brand identity evolution. We started with interviews with key stakeholders to understand their goals, the vision for the brand, and pain points with their current identity and positioning.

Before getting into any design, we first worked on the strategy and messaging–re-stating what was unique about Schwinn, who they are for, and defining the values and personality.

With a brand like Schwinn, with more than 125 years of history, there was a lot of inspiring raw materials for us to dig into and get inspired by, and some very cool facts we learned along the way:

That said, a specific goal of this project was not to look backward.

Schwinn’s leadership was very clear at the outset that they didn’t want the brand to lean on nostalgia. It was important that the brand and products look towards the future. Schwinn is investing heavily in a new range of e-bikes and innovations in helmet technology, so the brand identity needed to flex across different products, and speak to different audiences.

While undertaking a brand audit, we discovered that Schwinn were using many different logos across many products. While they consistently used a simple all-caps word mark at the corporate level and on their website, there was a plethora of other word marks and badges used on products. So a key focus of ours was to simplify and pare back the brand trademarks.

We recommended redesigning three core brand assets:

The core logotype:

For the core word mark design, we leaned into confident and bold extended typography that we knew would work across a wide range of products. The main focus was on the S and C characters having a sharp, swooping feeling that conveyed just the right touch of sportiness without it feeling too ‘high-performance’.

The Schwinn quality star:

Previously the Schwinn star was used as a quality badge, appearing on the front of the bikes. There was some equity and recognition with the star, and we believed this had the potential to be a stronger brand signifier When addressing the design evolution of the star we looked to achieve three things:

The previous star used shading to give perceived 3D form to the compass-style arrows, and therefore needed to be printed with tones of black and grey when used graphically.

This also created a disconnect between the physical badge used on product—where the star was created by relief only—and the graphic reproduction used in print & digital, where shading was used to denote depth.

We flattened out the star so it could be reproduced in one color. This would allow for greater flexibility on products, where the badge could appear on a wide array of product colors and retain a more minimal look on e-bikes and higher end products. The metallic badge is reserved for use on kids bikes, cruisers, and classics. 

Secondly we wanted to introduce a more own-able form that had more to it than just the nautical-arrow connotation of the previous shadow treatment. This would differentiate it from other ‘nautical-star’ logos out there, such as the Stone Island or NATO.

Lastly, we wanted to elevate its usage and visibility. Up until now, the Schwinn star had only existed as part of a quality badge that appeared on the head-badge on certain products. So it didn’t really feel like a ‘logo’ that would build up recognition across all channels.

By pairing the Schwinn star with the logotype, and allowing it to be used standalone as a sign-off for the brand, we began to build more equity and recognition into it. Our hope is that over time the red circle and star would become a recognizable stamp of quality - not unlike the red dot seen on a Leica camera.

The Schwinn classic cursive logotype

Out of all of the heritage marks, we just had to retain the classic cursive logotype. It is such a charming and quirky piece of endearing typography that brings back nostalgia to a certain generation of Schwinn riders.

We worked with typographer Simon Walker to re-imagine its expression. While we retained the same sleek 50s spirit of the logotype, we completely rethought its structure and style. The resulting logotype is sharper and sleeker, with more flow and forward momentum.

Schwinn was already using red as a primary brand color, though a darker cherry-red which felt a little corporate. So we updated the red to be a more vibrant and ‘digital’ hue that felt more contemporary.

We supported the core black/white/red/ palette with an expanded range of colors, introducing vibrant hues that were inspired by Schwinn’s vast library of 1950s, 60s, and 70s advertising, as well as a set of pastels that would work well as background tones for product images.

The palette allows brand communications to oscillate between joyful / carefree and simple / sophisticated / sporty as needed.

We knew that illustration would allow us to introduce a distinct personality to the brand, and exaggerate the feeling of riding a Schwinn. 

We couldn’t think of another cycling brand that uses illustration in this way, and felt as though if anyone could use characterful illustration, it was Schwinn.

The Illustrations ensure Schwinn feels as much about the lifestyle of cycling, as it is about bike styles and product features.

Rather than settle on one style for Schwinn, we presented a wide range of styles that could adapt over time. For this initial foray, we loved both Christopher DeLorenzo’s one-color linear illustrative style, and on the opposite end of the spectrum, Xoana Herrera’s vibrant and textured style.

This specific branding engagement didn’t allow for us to undertake any specific photo art direction projects or photoshoots baked on the calendar of new product development, and the project budget, though we do view photography as a critical element of any brand identity project.

We designed a photo guidelines document, that outlined a set of standards for future photography, covering everything from in-studio product photography, to on-location lifestyle. We considered audiences and subjects, qualities, emotions, casting, locations, compositions and lighting. 

One specific goal of the rebrand was to ensure Schwinn remained welcoming and inclusive.

The bike industry is often both highly technical and highly specialized…not to mention intimidating to the casual rider. We felt it was time to make cycling more inclusive, welcome all experience levels, and invite a more diverse crowd to come join the ride.

When we approach a brand evolution, rather than designing a new identity from scratch, we have to look carefully at what exists, and where we need to retain current brand recognition and equity.

It’s a bit like architectural restoration. You want to replace the things that have become a little tired, perhaps the roof, the windows, the paint job, but maintain the integrity of the structure so that the building remains recognizable, and can stand proud in its new skin.

A good brand evolution should feel both fresh, and like it’s always been there.