Design. Brand Strategy. Visual Storytelling.
Candour is an award-winning design and branding studio nestled in a small space between the shores of Lake Michigan and the bustling creative city of Grand Rapids, Michigan. We work in a bright, cozy studio filled with beautiful artwork, stacks of books and tons of windows overlooking a view of the lake that would make any city dweller jealous. We’re passionate about international travel and we travel frequently to the sunshine state of Florida to meet with clients, but we love calling West Michigan home thanks to its natural beauty and Midwestern work ethic.
Since our launch in 2007, we’ve remained committed to this guiding principal: craft thoughtful, care-filled design solutions for people we enjoy working with, and whose mission we believe in. This has afforded us the privilege of working with knowledgeable clients and talented creatives from all over the world – from Argentina to Thailand – from one coast of the United States to the other. It’s led us to corporate clients in Fortune 500 companies and small town friends building innovative start-ups. It’s also helped us connect with struggling non-profits seeking to advance the common good, a mission we can both be proud of. We deeply value our clients – most of which have become friends along the way. Our first clients are still our clients today thanks to a good old fashion mix of trust, loyalty and a whole of lot of candor – not everyone can say that.
We’re driven by simplicity (and a little whimsy), and we explore until we find the simplest, most elegant creative solution we can find. This approach requires deep collaboration with our clients and helps us arrive at intelligent decisions that produce quality creative work that truly honors our client’s brands.
WE BELIEVE IN
timeless design / thought-provoking strategy / quality craftsmanship / honesty + integrity / candid expression of thoughts + ideas / hard work / loyalty / dedication / self-improvement / dreaming / creating / inspiring / exploring / stretching our comfort zone / keeping it simple / respecting the environment / being present + mindful / doing good in the world
Our Philosophy
Holding True to Values. Honesty + Purity.
Our success is rooted in our name – candor – defined as the ability to be candid, open, honest and straightforward in expression. We place great value on the quality of candidness in our personal relationships – but believe it’s equally as important in our business relationships. That has never been more true than the relationship we share with our client, and the one between our client and their audience. We pride ourselves on crafting brand identities that are honest and authentic reflections of our clients, and that help their audience feel as though they’ve met a trusted friend.
How do we do this? We help our clients figure out that it’s what’s inside that counts – because the brand on the outside is only as strong as the brand on the inside. Then we remind them that change is good – because what worked yesterday, won’t necessarily work today. Then, we use well-founded research, strategy, design and fresh innovative thinking to help our clients break through the clutter and communicate their brand in a voice that is always relevant and distinctive.
At the end of the day, we strive to accomplish three simple goals: stir emotion. shape perception. trigger action.
141
Happy Clients
5015
Projects
36
Brands Created
3024
Cups of Coffee
Our Team
HOLLY CLARK
Principal + Creative Director
As a big picture thinker and creative problem solver, Holly has over 15 years of experience building brands on the local, regional, national and international level. She’s worked with a broad range of industries including fashion, automotive, furniture, arts and culture, retail, restaurant, healthcare and more. Holly has acquired a Bachelor of Applied Arts Degree in Visual Communication and Advertising, as well as a post-graduate credential from The Polishing Center. Over the span of her career, she has been recognized for her leadership, business savvy and creativity by earning national, regional and local design awards, and has been featured in national design books, magazines and websites. Holly is the proud recipient of a National Addy Award from the American Federation of Advertising, New Business Person-of-the-Year award, 40 Under 40 honors, and more.
When she’s not crafting innovative brand solutions for our clients, Holly is busy infusing culture and creativity into all other aspects of her life. Her love of travel, music, cooking, photography and interior design inspire an adventurous life with her funny husband, two little boys and a mischievous dachshund.
Our Clients
Agapanthus & Aggie Lane
Amend Surgical
Appleton Museum of Art
Coconut Grove Business Improvement District
Buford Davis + Associates
CareerSource Marion
College of Central Florida
Cox Communications
Crippen & Co.
Dr. John’s Candies
Dr. Yvette Gaya Dentistry
EUSA
Exactech
Family Law Section of The Florida Bar
The Florida Bar
Florida Public Relations Association
Fontaine Financial Group
Grand Haven Coast Guard Festival
Haven Hospice
Herman Miller
Holy Cookies
inLine Orthodontics
Integrity Home Healthcare
International Justice Mission
Jeanne Henningsen
LegalFuel
Lockloosa Lake Farms
Marion Cultural Alliance
Matthews Eastmoore
Meagan Chaney Gumpert
Munroe Heart
Munroe Regional Medical
Ocala Traditions
Ocala/Marion County Chamber of Commerce
Public Education Foundation of Marion County
PulteGroup
Ronald McDonald House
RTI Surgical
Rymo Records
Spectrum Home Healthcare
Strive! Pain & Spine Center
Sundrella Outdoor Furniture
TaskPro
Texas Academy of General Dentistry
The Solar Guys
The Vines Hospital
Third Coast Concierge
Timberlane Family Dentistry
TLC Psychology
TransMotion Medical
Trial Lawyers Section of The Florida Bar
United Way of Marion County
University of Florida
Verifone
Webber Center Gallery
Winco Manufacturing
World Sport Chicago
Young Lawyers Division of The Florida Bar
AWARDS
NATIONAL ADDY® AWARDS
- Washington, D.C. – 1 Silver
DISTRICT ADDY® AWARDS
- Tampa, FL – 1 Silver
- Orlando, FL – 1 Silver
LOCAL ADDY® AWARDS
- Ocala, FL – 1 Gold, 2 Silver
- Ocala, FL – Best in Show, Best in Print, Best in Electronic, Best Art Direction, 2 Judge’s Choice, 9 Gold, 4 Silver
- Ocala, FL – Best of Print, Judge’s Choice, 2 Gold, 2 Silver
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
- Ocala, FL – Holly Clark, New Business Person-of-the-Year
RECOGNITION
PUBLISHED WORK
- National – LogoLounge Master Library, Volume 4: 3000 Type and Calligraphy Logos
MEDIA COVERAGE
- National – “Top 10 Websites for Designers”, How Magazine
- Gainesville, FL – “7 Steps to Kick Your Brand Up a Notch”, North Florida Business Journal
- “Beautiful Email Newsletters” Recognition for Candour E-Blast
- Ocala, FL – “Women in Business”, Ocala Magazine
- Ocala, FL – “What’s New?”, Ocala Magazine
- Ocala, FL – “40 Under 40”, Ocala Magazine
