Colossal presents itself as “an online art magazine based in Chicago that celebrates contemporary art and visual culture across a wide range of creative disciplines, and is focused on both emerging and established artists”. As a cultural agent, the team behind Colossal also “curates and produces several exhibitions annually, hosts artist workshops online and off, facilitates talks, and publishes opportunities for artists every month”.

From a typographic point of view, it is also a visual feast, which matches the mag’s editorial ambition with an impeccable art direction (as it should be).

On the About page, the editors state:

In a world brimming with information overload, an epidemic of loneliness, climate catastrophe, capitalism run amok, and social inequity, we curate Colossal to focus on the most positive, diverse, and impactful stories that bring about change and meaningful connection. We intend to amplify the voices of artists working toward more equitable and sustainable futures through innovation, unexpected materials, humor, spectacle, and vast reserves of skill and hope. We are supported largely by our extraordinarily generous members.

Such an editorial statement could only be paired with an excellent and vibrant design, and these people and their design partners deliver.

Colossal was redesigned by Firebelly, and it was one of the winners of the 2025 STA 100 Judges’ Choice, awarded by the Chicago-based Society of Typographic Arts.

Departing from the original logo designed by Armin Vit (Brand New), the Firebelly and Colossal joint redesign venture came up with a wordmark that spawned the bespoke Colossal Display, with two distinct wavy S glyphs that feel like they were ritually trimmed at the base with an ancient katana.

In the project page dedicated to their collaboration with Colossal, the agency says:

After rounds of aligning, playing, and imagining, we crafted a final direction on the logo that is dad & son tested and approved — really! This final, larger-than-life mark brand speaks to the core values: play, whimsy, and curiosity. Subtle adjustments to letterforms (especially the distinctive ​“S”) helped preserve Colossal’s recognizability while introducing a tongue-in-cheek referential nature.

As far as headline elements and body text are concerned, the two workhorses that power this publication and art endeavour are its trusty sans, Visuelt (Colophon), and a ridiculously elegant and legible Fabric Serif (Monokrom), which – dare I say – belongs in the same Hall of Serif Fame as Ivar Text, Tiempos, the Feature Collection, Newsreader, Victor Serif, Tid, IvyPresto, Aktuell, Reckless Neue, SN Litteratur Text, etc.

Both Visuelt and Fabric Serif are used in different hierarchy text instances, and they handle both responsibilities with ease.

Article headline with date, byline and share options in Visuelt

Text detail in Fabric Serif

Homepage detail (top)

Homepage detail (bottom with footer)

Inspired by the space and featuring poignant leading questions and successful alumni, this limited edition book aimed to capture the crossover of entrepreneurial spirit and technological wonder on display at The Garage.

The prospectus featured four unique laser-cut outer layers, digitally printed in white and applied to the bound book body. These were produced onsite at The Garage and affixed during the print run at Graphic Arts Studio. Short sheets featuring photography of successful alumni were inserted throughout adding depth and dimension to the format and information.

Firebelly partnered with Lubeznik Center for the Arts to develop a comprehensive update, including a brand strategy, visual identity system, custom logotype and alphabet, communication tools and website redesign.

A hidden gem in Michigan City, Indiana, Lubeznik is a world-class cultural hub that brings the local community together through eclectic programming and exhibits that foster meaningful connections—from poetry slams to educational programming. We knew early on that the visual identity needed to express as much personality as the center itself.

The logo comes in many flavors — from formal to playful. The primary logotype sits comfortably on the formal end. Its pared back vibe is perfect for donor events and world-class art exhibits. The bolder, more playful variation is just right for youth programming, classes and vibrant community activities. When animating across the full spectrum, the center’s full personality springs to life.

The custom alphabet named Lubeznik Display reflects the architecture and character of the center. Each letter is built within a square, allowing geometry to become a core visual component of the Lubeznik brand. The letters are a monospaced, reverse-contrast, variable sans-serif and enable dynamic animations between the formal and playful states. All text is set in Mabry.

You can see the full project with logo and custom alphabet animations on the Firebelly website.

Designing a Better Chicago is an annual celebration, for residents and visitors alike, that shines a light on the extraordinary impact of design on civic life. The program also supports local individuals and organizations using the power of design to advance social good through its Design Impact Grant.

The effort is a collaboration between theMART, NeoCon, DCASE and the Design Museum of Chicago. The team reached out to us looking for a thoughtful visual identity to build awareness and enthusiasm. Together, we developed a thoroughly contemporary system that is deeply rooted in Chicago’s history of design excellence.

To develop the logo, we discovered inspiration in the—overlooked—Chicago’s municipal device. An iconic symbol that hides in plain sight throughout the city, it references the 19th-century engineering feat of reversing the flow of the Chicago River. The linear forms provide a pared down yet meaningful foundation for the entire visual system.

Nick Losacco’s Telegraf (Pangram Pangram, 2020) is uses throughout.

After 25 years of being in business, Diagram had grown. More people. More offerings. New leadership. Bigger and better projects all the time. Together, we workshopped a fresh brand strategy and new identity. We equipped our client with all the tools they’d need to take ownership of their (truly wonderful) story and step boldly into their bright future. Hello world. Meet Diagram.

We took a deeply collaborative and interactive approach to articulating the what, how and why behind the business. What set Diagram apart from the competition was their cheerful blend of playful authority and strategic risk-taking, their all-around approachable cool, tech savvy and of course, the good time family feeling.

Emotive, connective and scalable, the new logo references the spark of innovation —the moment where collaboration and process give way to brilliance. Intersecting lines show different ideas and perspectives coming together in a strong, unified whole.

A more straightforward read on the spark and logotype keeps the strong connection while building brand awareness.

With the identity finalized, we got to work helping Diagram launch their new brand. The Diagram identity system was designed to be not only flexible, but fun. Cards, notebooks, totes, an oh-so-cozy hoodie, campfire mugs, a step and repeat, even a custom beer can label done in collaboration with Solemn Oath (a Diagram client and neighbor!).

Karelia is used throughout.

Washington Park has a rich history of Black creative excellence. The south-side Chicago neighborhood has inspired great 20th-century works of art like Raisin in the Sun and Native Son. In the late 2000s, University of Chicago and Theaster Gates formed a vision to revitalize the area with new shared spaces to gather and support artistic expression.

University of Chicago’s Arts + Public Life reached out to us in 2017 to collaborate on Green Line Performing Arts Center, a black box theater incubator and performance space. With construction, lead by Morris Architects Planners, well underway, we worked to develop a visual identity that was inspired by the striking architecture. The center opened in 2018 and is now a beacon of the Washington Park Arts Block.

We started, as we often do, with type. For Green Line, we focused on conveying energy and movement while remaining friendly and inviting. After establishing our core letterforms, we developed three distinct logos that give the theater loads of options.

The primary wordmark is stacked for a solid presence, with extended lines giving a subtle nod to traditional theater marquees. The lettermark is reduced to a single G and used for high awareness moments like building signage, while the modular framing wordmark establishes a clear structure for easy layout construction.

From our logos we developed a full custom typeface: GL Grotesk. It echoes the horizontal motion of the namesake train through stacked, repeating lines. Setting the voice and tone for the whole system, it's highly readable and features informal, quirky details; welcoming the community with open arms.

The identity came to full, illuminated life as signage at the corner of the theatre's entrance and street-facing brick screen exterior. Developed in collaboration with long-time partner Rightway Signs, the lettermark runs the full length of the building, pointing to the adjacent Green Line L tracks, while the wordmark neatly stacks perpendicularly. Both forms work together, guiding the way, connecting community and creativity.

About design studio Firebelly:

As a community-centered design studio, we are committed to diversity and inclusion, with the goal of creating a more equitable, just world. We understand diversity—across age, gender, race, religion, citizenship status, ability, sexual orientation, education, class and culture—builds perspective and empathy, which are critical to responsible design.

The studio website shows a nice typographic combination between Stanley (Optimo) and Surt (Blaze Type).