Insight

Elevating the Manifest brand as a trusted landscape design partner for Montecito’s most discerning homeowners.

Approach

The team at Manifest approached us to combine their two brands—EcoLawn and Manifest Building—into a new, unified identity that would elevate their brand in California’s stunning Santa Barbara region.

The landscape architecture category is crowded with symbolism of trees, leaves and of course the color green. To rise above the clichés of the category, we crafted an identity inspired by the natural beauty and approachable elegance of Santa Barbara County. The new system reflects a deep connection to this beautiful community and its natural surroundings. At its center is a custom owl mascot—a confident and iconic symbol of vision and confidence that reflects Manifest’s ability to reveal the full potential of a space.

Inspired by the golden light and layered terrain of the California Riviera, we created a sun-washed, nature-grounded color palette; custom typography paired with natural patterns; and a refined digital experience that balances clarity and craft. An elegant collateral system and cohesive social media presence extend the brand’s visual language, while the voice evokes elegance, ease and confidence.

Grounded in their new mission of “a vision for outdoor living,” this is outdoor living, reimagined—with intention, warmth and lasting impact for Manifest’s expanding presence in Santa Barbara County.

Credits

Creative direction, strategy and copywriting: Joe and Leslie Stitzlein
Identity system: Sergio Fonseca, Joe and Leslie Stitzlein
Website design and development: Emily Stern
Motion graphics: Emil Pelari

What we did
  • _ Brand narrative
  • _ Copywriting
  • _ Mascot design
  • _ Identity design
  • _ Web design and development
  • _ Motion graphics
  • _ Social media
Collage of luxury outdoor living spaces in Montecito, California, designed by Manifest Building. Features modern patios, fire pits, custom hardscaping, and lush landscaping that overlook the Santa Barbara coastline—showcasing high-end residential landscape architecture.
Side-by-side photo grid of four owls used for concept research by Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm. Includes close-up and action shots of various owl species, highlighting traits like focus, precision, and vision—symbolic of the brand’s design ethos in Santa Barbara.
Four early owl logo concepts for Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm. Each minimalist icon explores different symbolic styles—organic, geometric, abstract, and perched—reflecting the brand’s emphasis on vision, craft, and outdoor living in Santa Barbara.
iPhone displaying the Instagram profile of Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm in Santa Barbara. The profile features curated project images, service highlights, and the brand’s signature owl logo, reflecting luxury outdoor design and craftsmanship.
Laptop displaying the homepage of Manifest Building’s website, featuring a luxury outdoor living space with fire pit, custom seating, and panoramic views in Montecito, California. The site reflects the firm’s expertise in high-end landscape design and construction across Santa Barbara.
Ten branded brochures for Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm. Each cover features photography of custom outdoor living spaces in Santa Barbara, paired with the owl logo and tagline “A Vision for Outdoor Living,” showcasing luxury landscape architecture.
Double-sided business cards for Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm. One side features contact information on a rust background with an embossed owl logo and gold type, while the reverse shows a repeating “M” monogram pattern and the tagline “A Vision for Outdoor Living.”
Branded stationery system for Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm. Includes business cards, letterhead, folder, and promotional postcard featuring the owl logo, tagline “A Vision for Outdoor Living,” and a photo of a luxury outdoor space in Santa Barbara.
Rust-colored flag featuring the owl logo of Manifest Building, a Montecito-based landscape design firm, waving against a blue sky. The minimalist owl symbolizes clarity, vision, and refined craftsmanship in luxury outdoor design across Santa Barbara.
Red pickup truck featuring Manifest Building branding, including the owl logo, website URL, and tagline
Vector illustration showing the construction lines and anchor points of the Manifest Building owl logo and custom letter A. Highlights the precision, craft, and typographic detail behind the Montecito-based landscape design firm’s brand identity in Santa Barbara.
Applications of the Manifest Building owl logo shown in gold embroidery on a hoodie, etched into wood, and blind embossed on paper. The refined owl mark reflects the brand’s values of vision, craftsmanship, and integrity in high-end landscape design based in Montecito, Santa Barbara.
Side-by-side comparison of Manifest Building’s brand evolution. The left shows previous logos for EcoLawn and the original Manifest Building mark with a stylized owl and wings. The right features the refined logo with a minimalist perched owl and custom typography, reflecting the firm’s elevated identity as a Montecito-based landscape design company.