Collusion Salon

The Ask

Collusion Salon required a complete brand identity to coincide with the launch of a new location and an evolved business model. The name Collusion was inspired by the intimate, conspiratorial relationship between stylist and client — one built on freely shared insider knowledge rather than the gatekeeping that defines so much of the beauty industry today.

This spirit of radical transparency sits at the heart of everything the brand stands for. The visual identity needed to reflect that ethos: clean, confident, and luxurious, yet genuinely welcoming to a diverse clientele.

The Solution

I built the entire identity around the metaphor of an open door — the 'C' of Collusion rendered as a door swung open, complete with a door handle, inviting clients into that secret, collaborative world. The gold leaf texture adds luxury and warmth, while the deep teal green grounds the brand with sophistication. The system includes a primary wordmark with integrated door letterforms, a compact secondary logo, a standalone door bug for signage and social media, and two alternate strategic directions that explored completely different visual metaphors. The tagline 'insider shairing' was also developed to be interwoven into the identity system.

Selected Logo

Primary Wordmark & Variations

Primary Wordmark — Gold on Green

Primary Wordmark — Mixed Colorway

Secondary Logo

Secondary — Gold Texture Background

Secondary — Transparent

Door Bug

Gold on Green

Gold Leaf

Alternate Strategies

As part of my process, I present three distinct strategic directions for each project. The client selects their preferred direction, and we refine from there. Below are the two alternate concepts explored for Collusion Salon.

Strategy 2 — 3D Head & Shoulders

Strategy 2 — 3D-C, Female, US Salon (Angled)

Strategy 2 — 3D-C, Female w/ hair, US Salon (Horizontal)

Strategy 3 — Impossible Geometry

Strategy 3 — CC Impossible Geometry (Horizontal)

Strategy 3 — CC Impossible Geometry (Stacked)