Rebuilding A Brand
New windows designed by Annika Wooton. Photo by Juan Garcia.
For as long as Reverie has been Reverie we have tried to push the envelope when it comes to our brand. We have always had a bit of an edge, and we think that is one of many things that has made us stand out. The way we look as a coffee company has been shaped by local designers: James Dean Anderson, Chris Parks, and Thomas Benz. When we moved from Green St. into our current flagship location at Douglas and Madison, we traded a bit of the edgy and ‘exposed brick’ vibe for something a little more refined. Our move brought with it a new sense of identity. Sure, we kept some of the quirks from our first location, but we also introduced new, exciting elements to our cafe.
Design colloboration from Hannah Scott, Annika Wooton, and Chloë Cloud.
The past few years have honestly felt like a blur with all the changes we have been through. During the shutdown due to COVID-19, we begin rethinking a lot of what our business did, how it looked, and how we engaged with our customers. Over the past few months, we have seen even more changes to how Reverie looks. We have new murals, new products, and with that a renewed sense of identity. We have talked about our Dream Team and all the amazing work they have done in helping rebuild our business and our brand. We want to take a moment to highlight those that are helping give Reverie a fresh, new look.
Meet Annika Wooton.
What’s your background as an artist/designer/creative?
I have been an artist ever since I could hold a crayon. The arts run in my family, so I was really lucky to be around so many different creative outlets in my childhood. It was only natural to pursue higher education in a creative field. I graduated from the University of Kansas with my degree in Illustration and Design. From there, I worked as a production artist in Lawrence and then a Visual Designer at Garmin International before putting the office jobs on hold to take on the job of Miss Kansas 2019 & 2020.
When did you first hear about Reverie? Is there a particular memory about Reverie that stands out to you?A friend invited me there for a coffee. Simple as that. I remember walking in and being obsessed with the mirror wall and the aesthetic before I even got my coffee. Reverie became the place where I came to get work done, the place I would bring friends from out of town, the place where I felt at home when I didn’t want to be at home. That has everything to do with the people, the environment that is cultivated by staff and our community, and the excellent service and product Reverie provides.
What excited you about the opportunity to work with Reverie?
Reverie was a space I quickly settled into as my regular “hang” and space to focus and get work done when I moved to Wichita. When the opportunity came about to work with the team in a unique and creative capacity, I was excited to be part of something that seemed larger than just another design project. The energy and intent behind the movement of this project was different. Reverie certainly has a unique footprint on the Wichita community and there is focused intention behind everything to better serve and support its patrons.
From the projects you have worked on, what is something you found whether it be creatively, aesthetically, personally spoke deeply to you? Or perhaps, what do you think speaks deeply to Reverie?
It’s that intention behind every move. There’s a driving force that has the community at the epicenter, now more than ever, of how we can use what we have - or create something new - to provide quality products, experience, and support. I’ve never been part of a team that is so thoughtful towards even the smallest of details and how each creation or adjustment will interact with both the people who come to Reverie as well as those who work here. Especially within the pandemic, I was constantly inspired as the team put in thorough consideration to each pivot and creation to ultimately do what is best for our stakeholders.
What stories are being told in the projects you are working on?
I feel like the major project I took on was the coffee bag labels - setting the stage for labels to come, while also reenvisioning existing iconography that Reverie customers know and love. The recurring theme in everything we do, I think, is community. I wanted to take these icons - the Boneshaker, Pope, our new little golden goat - and give them a new flair and life that would be familiar but fresh as the community re-enters the space.
What did you enjoy most about working with Reverie?
The team. Easily. I came in at a point during quarantine where I was really struggling with motivation, my own creative design journey, and having a purpose. To come into a team that was fresh and exciting and also supportive of each other’s personal lives was just the right thing at just the right time.
What exciting things can we expect next from you?
Weirdly enough, design is not my full time gig right now… I was chosen to serve as Miss Kansas 2019 on June 8th of 2019. As of this moment, I should have been entering my next chapter, but due to the pandemic, the Miss Kansas Organization asked me to stay on for an additional year and serve as Miss Kansas 2020 as well. So I will still be doing design and illustration here and there, but I’m excited to jump into another year of one of the most unique jobs and give it my all. I’ll be traveling across Kansas (safety permitting) doing speaking engagements, live painting performances, arts advocacy and various appearances in the Heartland.
Annika Wooton. Photo by Juan Garcia.
Moonless Midnight designed and illustrated by Annika Wooton. Photo by Juan Garcia.
Chai King designed and illustrated by Annika Wooton. Photo by Juan Garcia.
“It’s that intention behind every move. There’s a driving force that has the community at the epicenter, now more than ever, of how we can use what we have - or create something new - to provide quality products, experience, and support.”
Illustration by Chloë Cloud.
Meet CHLOë CLOUD.
What’s your background as an artist/designer/creative?
I have been trying on many hats in the creative industry. I also enjoy any and all forms of visual arts including but not limited to: embroidery, ceramics, hyper-realism portraiture, and collage. I love the curiosity and challenge of a new medium. My past occupations have been an education department assistant to the Wichita Art Museum, I’ve been a graphic design lab assistant and tutor, mural painter, a commissioned fine artist, and a full-time graphic designer. When I went to college I couldn’t decide between my artistic passions so I was a triple major: graphic design, photography, and fine arts major.
When did you first hear about Reverie? Is there a particular memory about Reverie that stands out to you?
Reverie was one of the first places I watched someone pour my drink. By total freak chance I wandered into the cafe when I was in high school and I had never seen latte art before that moment. I was absolutely in awe. From that point on I would bring my friends along just so I could stand on the other side of the counter like a total weirdo and just watch the art form from milk and espresso. I guess it didn’t taste that bad either.
What excited you about the opportunity to work with Reverie?
I was excited by the opportunity to work with Reverie because of how transparent they are about their business. I wanted to showcase all of the great things happening behind the cafe and to really dive into the business as a whole. It’s exciting to have a creative hand in branding a cool business with no limitations. It's really exciting to find that kind of client. I also wanted to be a part of a small team and really dig more into the hows, whys, and strategy of the brand.
From the projects you have worked on, what is something you found whether it be creatively, aesthetically, personally spoke deeply to you? Or perhaps, what do you think speaks deeply to Reverie?
I was tasked with designing the retail space and I have never had such a hands on process. With my agency experiences, it's mostly been “mock this up” and then months later I see a photograph. This on the other hand was adding so many small pieces together to make a whole space and brand feel cohesive. Plus, I was physically in the space after each new addition. This spoke to me because it is really exciting to visualize something in your head and then after a few weeks it is printed, hung, and physically in front of you. It’s nice to have a business have so much faith in my ability as an artist.
What stories are being told in the projects you are working on?
I really wanted to tap into all of the knowledge in the Roasting Den and tell a deeper story about the coffees process. The retail space moved into a more educational space where consumers can understand a little bit more about Reverie’s products. With the assistance of this more educational approach, people have the opportunity to learn more about what they like in a cup of coffee. It also allows brand transparency so that people know about Reverie’s conscious efforts in sustainable localism and their process in importing their products. It wasn’t hard to tell this story because they have been doing this for years. I just wanted to make that knowledge public.
What did you enjoy most about working with Reverie?
I enjoyed being able to work with such an open, trusting client. I also enjoyed working with a team of incredible marketers. I learned a ton from this experience and I am grateful for it.
What exciting things can we expect next from you?
Well, I recently accepted a position on the Wichita AIGA Board and am excited to serve the design community through that. I also just worked on a collaborative piece for Reverie and Hopping Gnome! It's called the “Design District Coffee Stout” and being able to work on a label/poster/shirt for two things I am passionate about was an absolute dream! Please, go check it out! I am also in the process of finding full-time employment but for now, I am enjoying my diverse freelance clientele. Who knows where I’ll be or what I’ll be creating in a year from now!
Collaboration with Hopping Gnome Brewery. Designed and illustrated by Chloë Cloud. Photo by Juan Garcia.
Social distance markers designed by Chloë Cloud
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“When you suggest floor puns to the owner/operator for social distancing dots they’ll let you do it. Never in my life have I gotten to pitch so many dad jokes and a client loved it. Definitely take a look next time youre in.”
New cafe displays designed by Chloë Cloud.
We want to thank you for your on going support. Thank you for taking the time to learn about all the work that goes on behind the scenes. We want you to know that your support is bigger than just coffee, it’s the support of each of us that make what we do possible. Please continue to shop locally and support local businesses like ours.
Best to you all
Andrew Gough