Widget Financial’s rebrand marked a turning point—from a locally recognized credit union to a modern, trusted financial institution with nearly $500M in assets and 46,000 members. Gem City Creative partnered with Widget to create a flexible brand system built for speed, consistency, and growth. Through strategic design, distinctive mascots, and a scalable visual language, Widget gained instant recognition and creative freedom—without sacrificing compliance. This long-term partnership allows Widget to evolve confidently while staying focused on what matters most: serving its community and moving the organization forward.

Second Harvest Food Bank needed a brand system that could grow with its evolving programs while maintaining warmth, dignity, and consistency. As a small nonprofit serving Erie County and surrounding areas, outdated and inflexible materials were costing valuable time and clarity. By creating an adaptable Canva-based design system, SHFB gained the freedom to update materials quickly without sacrificing polish or trust. Rooted in people-first values, harvest-inspired colors, and real community imagery, the refreshed brand supports both outreach and innovation allowing SHFB to focus on what matters most: providing stable, respectful access to food for the community.

When a nonprofit partnership approached Gem City Creative, they needed more than a logo refresh—they needed clarity. Their existing identity lacked meaning and caused confusion with another local nonprofit. Through discovery sessions, we uncovered their core role as a connector—advancing best practices, fostering relationships, and strengthening the nonprofit sector. That insight led to a bridge-inspired brand concept rooted in connection and community. By translating strategy into a meaningful visual identity and showing the logo in real-world contexts, the final brand tells their story with confidence. The result is a collaborative, purpose-driven identity built to serve them for years to come.

The Erie Regional Chamber partnered with Gem City Creative to modernize a dated and fragmented brand identity. Through deep brand strategy sessions, we uncovered key attributes—innovation, leadership, and community support—that shaped the redesign. We unified the Chamber’s multiple sectors under a cohesive color-coded system and introduced a new logo featuring forward movement and a subtle nod to Erie’s peninsula. Updated typography, purposeful imagery guidelines, and refined visual standards now communicate clarity and progress. The revitalized identity positions the Chamber as a bold, collaborative leader guiding Erie’s economic transformation.

their new partnership with Connected Mathematics, they needed a modern brand identity that reflected their expanded offerings without losing their friendly, educator-first personality. We created a color-coded visual system—coral for math, green for science, and blue for corporate—supported by playful gradients and bubble elements. The result is a unified, approachable identity that stands out at tradeshows, communicates clearly across materials, and feels exciting for both teachers and students. This refreshed brand brings clarity, consistency, and energy to every part of the Lab Aids experience.

FRC, a longstanding leader in cybersecurity and IT solutions, needed a brand identity that reflected the innovation and global momentum happening inside the company. Their previous visuals tied closely to their early roots and no longer communicated the forward movement, ecosystem collaboration, and people-focused mission they embody today. Gem City Creative redesigned FRC’s brand around three core ideas—aggregation, uplift, and innovation—resulting in a modern logo, bold color palette, and simplified name that supports their expanding footprint. The refreshed identity honors their heritage while positioning FRC for its next era of growth, technological advancement, and international impact.

FERVELL is a modern CPA firm founded by Kyle and Ryan to elevate how people experience tax advisory. Their mission goes beyond filing taxes—they educate clients so they can gain clarity, confidence, and control over their financial future. With a premium, tiered service model, clients can start with foundational support and work toward proactive tax strategy over time. The brand blends innovation with trust, using mountain-inspired visuals to symbolize vision and growth, paired with sharp, modern design elements to reflect disruption. The result is a premium yet approachable brand that empowers clients to rise to new financial heights.

Franco’s, a beloved restaurant in Erie, PA, partnered with Gem City Creative for a brand refresh to modernize their look while staying true to their local roots. With a new location in the works, this was the perfect time to update their visual identity. The redesign includes a bold typographic logo, a playful diner-inspired color palette, and friendly, approachable fonts. Menus and a modern website now reflect the warmth and community-driven experience Franco’s is known for. This strategic restaurant branding positions Franco’s to continue growing within Erie while celebrating their classic, welcoming atmosphere.