When Hannah, founder of Elysian Media, reached out to Saltd Studio, she wasn’t just looking for a new logo—she was seeking a visual identity that could carry the weight of a legacy. As a seasoned media and content strategist with deep roots in the equestrian world, Hannah understood that her brand needed to reflect not just what she does, but the refined, high-performance environment her clients call home.
Her work sits at the intersection of sport and storytelling. Our shared goal was to design a brand that would meet that intersection with equal parts clarity, elegance, and meaning. And so, we embarked on what has become a truly treasured project: elegant and equestrian-inspired branding and collateral.
Setting the Stage: Strategy That Honors Heritage and Vision
Our process began with an in-depth strategy session, uncovering the core of Elysian Media: a creative company built for those who live and breathe elite equestrian sport (be it athletes or product brands). From managing media presence to capturing brand imagery and crafting PR strategies, Elysian Media serves clients whose standards are high—and whose stories deserve to be told with precision.
The brand needed to reflect:
- Prestige without pretense
- Artistry rooted in tradition
- A deep understanding of the equestrian world
- A feeling of timeless (and yet accessible) luxury
A Color Palette with Meaning
Every hue in the Elysian Media palette tells a story—each one intentional, elegant, and tied to the brand’s world:
- Sorrel Red reflects the strength and legacy of the sorrel horse
- Parisian Pink nods to the grace and beauty of international showgrounds, like those in front of the Eiffel Tower
- Florida Green mirrors the rich landscapes of Wellington, Florida—an epicenter of elite equestrian competition
- Champagne Cream celebrates achievement, refinement, and moments worth toasting
- Flash Grey grounds the palette with quiet sophistication and balance
Together, these tones evoke a brand experience that is poised, expressive, and unmistakably Elysian.
Symbols with Soul: The Heart of the Identity
At the center of the brand identity sits the horse bit motif—a symbol steeped in both heritage and meaning. It’s not merely decorative; it represents the trusted connection between rider and horse, the harmony of movement and control, and the elegance of equestrian tradition. It also subtly echoes the motifs of luxury fashion houses, positioning Elysian Media as a brand of elevated taste.
Complementing the primary logo is a custom toile pattern, where artistry meets geography. This hand-illustrated pattern features landmark locations from the global equestrian circuit—woven together with a crowned horse bearing a laurel wreath, the eternal emblem of victory and excellence. We even snuck in Sable, Hannah’s beloved pup! If anything, the toile pattern truly resembles the equestrian-inspired branding to it’s core (but with a fresh dose of flair, of course).
A suite of hand-drawn icons further reinforces the brand’s story. And what fun these were to create! From a riding helmet to a camera, from a ribbon to a laptop, each symbol ties together the clients Hannah and her team work with to the services she provides.
Typography with Movement and Grace
The typographic system chosen for Elysian Media reflects the brand’s values—refined, fluid, and quietly powerful. It pairs sculptural serifs with elegant spacing and subtle movement, echoing the grace of both horseback riding and storytelling. This intentionality ensures the brand feels both timeless and modern—perfectly at home in a luxury magazine or on a strategic pitch deck. And, we may or may not be obsessed with the lovely italic “s” in “Elysian.”
Bringing the Equestrian-Inspired Branding to Life: From Collateral to Client Touchpoints
We carried the identity through a range of custom-designed collateral, each one crafted to elevate the client experience:
- A custom embosser, allowing the brand to be felt as well as seen
- Gold foil business cards that speak of excellence and attention to detail
- Foil stickers for elegant packaging and event kits
- Branded toile notecards, bringing warmth, beauty, and connection to handwritten correspondence
Each piece is more than a branded item—it’s an invitation into the world of Elysian Media. A world where storytelling is strategic, every detail matters, and beauty is never without meaning.
In Hannah’s Words
“Working with Emma and the Saltd Studio team was an incredible experience from start to finish. The entire process was seamless, well-organized, and truly enjoyable—I looked forward to every meeting. Before working with them, my company had little to no proper branding, and as someone in the digital marketing space, I knew it was an essential investment. I had attempted to create my own logo but was never fully satisfied with the results. After seeing one of their previous client’s rebrand reveal (see Tori’s branding here), I knew Saltd Studio was the right choice for me. Emma not only brought my vision to life with branding that feels perfectly aligned with my company, but our meetings also provided valuable strategy and fresh ideas that have helped shape my business. Investing in professional branding with Saltd Studio was one of the best decisions I’ve made!”
The Result: A Brand That Captures Excellence
Today, Elysian Media’s new identity stands not just as a logo or a color palette—but as a legacy in the making. It reflects the poise and performance of the clients it serves. It honors tradition while embracing innovation. And most of all, it creates space for stories to be told with heart, elegance, and precision.
We’re honored to have helped bring this vision to life.
