CODO Design talks craft beer to Cleveland designers, we get drunk in the corner

Market Garden Brewery was buzzing last night, so I felt obliged to blend in with my environment (journalism 101). Equipped with a Citrmax and a camera, I quietly navigated a surprise birthday party to find the Cleveland restaurant’s back room, which had a Castlevania vibe according to CODO Design, who was giving a presentation on craft beer branding to the Cleveland chapter of the AIGA (The American Institute of Graphic Arts).

From the back corner, I watched CODO Founders Cody Fague and Isaac Arthur drink beer while dissecting how they develop storytelling and discover brand essence for clients in the craft industry (folks like Kros Strain Brewing, Fernson Brewing and 450 North Brewing). Two beers in, I realized my recording was all static thanks to the birthday bash next door, so I just sat back and enjoyed the show. The photos below show a sold-out event, where Fague and Arthur talked about overlooked parts of the branding process, shared lots of terrible process sketches and gave away print versions of their book. There was much mingling and mirth afterwards.

Now, enjoy five beer branding stories written by the duo behind CODO Design.

A printer turned brewery: Branding Printer’s Ale Manufacturing Co.

Rebrand or brand refresh? Which is right for your brewery?

Environmental design: Turn your brewery into an immersive brand experience

Craft beer branding trends: Positioning through visual aesthetics

Using a matrix to brand and position your brewery