Case Study

mj coyle home

Brand Identity • Visual System • Content Direction • Brand Positioning

01. Project Overview

MJ Coyle is a nationally recognized interior designer known for his work on HGTV’s Good Bones and his refined, modern design sensibility.

As he expanded into independent consulting, digital content, and future product opportunities, he needed a cohesive brand identity and visual system that positioned him as an established design authority rather than a TV personality. I was responsible for building a polished, strategic brand foundation that reflects his aesthetic and supports long-term growth.

02. Role & Scope

I served as the lead creative partner responsible for developing the identity and digital direction for MJ Coyle Home.

responsibilities

  • Brand Identity Development

  • Visual System & Design Guidelines

  • Brand Messaging + Positioning

  • Editorial / Web Direction

  • Photography Tone + Art Direction Guidance

  • Social + Content Template System

  • Collateral + Presentation Design

  • Strategic Creative Consultation

My role covered all major visual and strategic elements of the brand’s identity and digital presence.

03. The Challenge

MJ needed a brand system that matched the sophistication of his design work but could also scale across digital platforms, consulting materials, and potential future product lines.

The challenge was to create an identity that:

  • felt premium and editorial

  • distinguished him from “HGTV personality” positioning

  • complemented his interior design aesthetic

  • served both digital and print environments

  • was flexible enough for future expansion

04. The Approach

I grounded the brand around MJ’s core design principles. i merged modern warmth, craftsmanship, clean lines, and intentional simplicity.

The approach focused on:

  • Defining the brand’s personality and design philosophy

  • Establishing a strategic differentiation from “HGTV personality” positioning

  • Creating an editorial-driven direction that could evolve into content, collaborations, or product lines

  • Building a flexible system that could scale with future offerings

This phase set the creative direction, strategic narrative, and aesthetic framework for the brand.

05. The Solution

Brand Identity System

  • Primary logotype + monogram

  • Modern typographic hierarchy

  • Neutral, material-inspired color palette

  • Architectural spacing and grid system

digital + editorial execution

  • Website style direction and content structure

  • Editorial layouts for longform storytelling

  • Photography tone + visual guidelines

content + Social system

  • Modular templates for project reveals, commentary, and moodboarding

  • Presentation deck system for consulting

collateral

  • Business cards

  • Stationery + branded assets

  • Client presentation deck templates

This solution translated the strategic direction into a refined, professional, scalable brand system.

06. impact

The new brand system elevated MJ’s identity from television personality to design authority, strengthening his professional presence across digital and print. The refined visual direction improved clarity and cohesion across all platforms, while the editorial-inspired content system reduced production time and increased consistency.

This foundation positioned the brand for future consulting opportunities, partnerships, and potential product expansion, providing a scalable creative framework that supports long-term growth.

07. outcomes

The rebrand established a long-term strategic foundation that significantly expanded what MJ’s business could support. With a cohesive identity and elevated digital presence in place, the brand became fully equipped for opportunities beyond client design work—including consulting engagements, industry partnerships, speaking opportunities, digital content series, and potential future product lines.

The new system also strengthened MJ’s market positioning, allowing him to step confidently into higher-value projects and present a more authoritative, mature brand to prospective clients and collaborators.

Ultimately, the work transformed MJ Coyle Home from a recognizable name into a fully realized professional brand with room to scale.