Riverside Campground & Cabins Brand System

Nestled within the ancestral and unceded homeland of the Esselen People, who have stewarded the Big Sur coastline and its forests for more than 9,000 years, Riverside Campground & Cabins offers a peaceful retreat where the redwoods meet the river. Rooted in a landscape shaped by generations of care and connection to the natural world, the campground welcomes travelers seeking a deeper experience of Big Sur through tent camping, RV adventures, and cozy riverside cabins.

The logo was designed to capture this unique sense of place—drawing inspiration from the flowing river, towering redwood canopy, and timeless spirit of outdoor exploration. The mark balances rustic character with contemporary simplicity, creating an identity that reflects both the campground’s natural beauty and its role as a gateway to unforgettable Big Sur experiences. It was designed to blend seamlessly with its sister campground, The Big Sur Campground.

The Concepts

My logo concepts explore the natural elements that make Big Sur unique, such as the winding river and redwood forests, local wildlife, and the option to bring your dog friends along. Each direction offers a distinct interpretation of the campground’s character.

Brand Guide

The Riverside brand guide establishes a cohesive visual system rooted in the colors of the Big Sur landscape. Deep greens are inspired by redwood forests and native juniper, while soft sage tones reflect the region’s coastal scrub and indigenous plant life. A warm golden accent evokes the glow of sunset across the canyon, creating a palette that feels both natural and distinctly connected to the land. Together, these guidelines ensure a consistent brand presence while celebrating the beauty of Riverside’s surroundings.


I visit the region every summer, and over the years it has become a place of reflection, adventure, and deep connection to the natural world. Designing an identity for Riverside was an opportunity to celebrate a landscape I love—capturing the spirit of the river, the redwoods, and the sense of wonder that keeps drawing people back year after year.


Michelle LeClerc

Michelle strives to add context and meaning to the exponentially growing world of design. Recently served as the Creative Director at Beutler Ink, a strategic creative agency specializing in research, writing, and design. Michelle has developed design and data visualization for social justice organizations like Campaign Zero, Be a Hero, and Yale’s The Justice Collaboratory and Freedom Reads. In 2017, she created the data visualization for Elizabeth Warren’s book, This Fight is Our Fight, a #1 New York Times bestseller. In 2019, on behalf of Campaign Zero, she led the data visualization for the first police scorecard in the US, which sought to identify urgent issues surrounding police accountability and propose best-practice solutions. Michelle’s commitment to quality design extends from the office to the classroom—she teaches Infographic Design at Temple’s Tyler School of Art.

www.michelleleclerc.com
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