Last week we re-introduced the newsletter and unveiled its new name, which took the place of the wildly exciting "design update". But we didn't get too far into what Big Picture is all about.

Big picture is a way to say, we don't do our work in a vacuum; focussed on one task at a time. We keep our heads up, recalling our mission, who we are working with and, together, what we're working towards. The big picture is both your presence and your trajectory.

September Collective

This is a project that launched last year that we realized we haven't really shared much. It’s a bit different from our usual work.

September Collective offers heritage-inspired modern African home decor and art. A ton of shapes and symbols were explored. Ultimately we landed on a mark that was drawn from patterns found on traditional African mud cloth.

Interestingly, the symbol was quite a bit different from what the founder had initially envisioned. Here's what she had to say:

"One of the most meaningful outcomes was the creation of our brand icon. Bolster didn’t just design a logo — they crafted a symbol that speaks directly to our ethos. Rooted in cultural meaning and intention, our icon reflects our commitment to heritage, artistry, and community. It’s a mark that tells our story at a glance."

Case study here.

Omakase no. 0125 - Ondo

Not all the Omakases are tech! Here’s a good example: Ondo, a soup-first brand in Mexico City, creating soulful, seasonal soups that blend tradition and innovation. It also created a bit of a dilemma, we came up with 3 logos and couldn’t decide which to run with. So we shared all three. Each has a bit of a different vibe.

The founders hosted a little launch party and asked attendee to weigh-in. Stay tuned for which one they’re going with.

Full presentation here.

Sensory Links

Sound — Tokyo Adagio is a live album by bassist Charlie Haden and pianist Gonzalo Rubalcaba. This review describes it well: "A gentleness, and sense of an intuitive late night conversation between two soul mates who had not seen each other for a long time, yet can regain their connection within minutes of reuniting."

Wisdom — Shunryu Suzuki on the difference between sound and noise

Visual — Ibrahim Rayintakath is an Illustrator and art director based in India

Space — Art barn by architect Thomas Randall Page

Digital — Don’t buy your groceries without Yuka

What does your big picture look like?

Bolster, a design studio that makes brands, websites, and experiences that work together, so founders and teams show up with clarity, credibility, and momentum.

A strong, unified brand is not polish; it is leverage. Curious how brand could inform your big picture? Feel free to hit us up, we’d love to chat.