Boynton Yards
Boynton Yards
Boynton Yards
Boynton Yards
Client
Boynton Yards
Client
Boynton Yards
Client
Boynton Yards
Live site
boyntonyards.com
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use innovation district in Somerville, combining life sciences, creative workspaces, and community-focused spaces.
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use innovation district in Somerville, combining life sciences, creative workspaces, and community-focused spaces.
Overview
Overview
Overview
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use development in Somerville, MA, designed to blend innovation and community. Focused on life sciences, creative workspaces, and public spaces, its new brand identity features a connecting line: bridging words, creating rhythmic headlines, and spanning layouts to unify the design. I worked on designing this new brand to embody collaboration, creativity, and progress, emphasizing Boynton Yards as a hub for growth and connection.
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use development in Somerville, MA, designed to blend innovation and community. Focused on life sciences, creative workspaces, and public spaces, its new brand identity features a connecting line: bridging words, creating rhythmic headlines, and spanning layouts to unify the design. I worked on designing this new brand to embody collaboration, creativity, and progress, emphasizing Boynton Yards as a hub for growth and connection.
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use development in Somerville, MA, designed to blend innovation and community. Focused on life sciences, creative workspaces, and public spaces, its new brand identity features a connecting line: bridging words, creating rhythmic headlines, and spanning layouts to unify the design. I worked on designing this new brand to embody collaboration, creativity, and progress, emphasizing Boynton Yards as a hub for growth and connection.
Boynton Yards is a mixed-use development in Somerville, MA, designed to blend innovation and community. Focused on life sciences, creative workspaces, and public spaces, its new brand identity features a connecting line: bridging words, creating rhythmic headlines, and spanning layouts to unify the design. I worked on designing this new brand to embody collaboration, creativity, and progress, emphasizing Boynton Yards as a hub for growth and connection.
Designed at Upstatement in collaboration with the exceptional talents of Jeshurun Webb (Design), Scott Dasse (Art Direction), and additional design support by John Keough.
Services
Services
Services
• Branding
• Branding
• Environmental Design
• Environmental Design
• Logo Design
• Logo Design
• Web Design
• Web Design
Objective
Objective
Objective
The goal of this project was to design a new identity that highlights the neighborhood's accessibility, creates buzz around Boynton Yards, and attracts tenants, especially life sciences companies seeking growth outside Kendall Square. The brand reflects Somerville’s creative culture while contrasting with the gritty site, balancing human and tech elements for a modern, dynamic feel. It also needed to be scalable and adaptable to support ongoing developments, including a fully leased office building and future projects.
The goal of this project was to design a new identity that highlights the neighborhood's accessibility, creates buzz around Boynton Yards, and attracts tenants, especially life sciences companies seeking growth outside Kendall Square. The brand reflects Somerville’s creative culture while contrasting with the gritty site, balancing human and tech elements for a modern, dynamic feel. It also needed to be scalable and adaptable to support ongoing developments, including a fully leased office building and future projects.
The goal of this project was to design a new identity that highlights the neighborhood's accessibility, creates buzz around Boynton Yards, and attracts tenants, especially life sciences companies seeking growth outside Kendall Square. The brand reflects Somerville’s creative culture while contrasting with the gritty site, balancing human and tech elements for a modern, dynamic feel. It also needed to be scalable and adaptable to support ongoing developments, including a fully leased office building and future projects.
Key Audiences
Key Audiences
The Boynton Yards brand was created to engage three main groups:
City of Somerville and Investors: Showcase the project’s vision for neighborhood regeneration and long-term positive impact, building confidence in its success.
Future Lab Tenants: Highlight building efficiencies, transit access, and a creative, flexible environment, appealing to companies looking for growth and collaboration.
Media and Public: Tell the story of Boynton Yards as a transformative project, generating excitement and connecting with the community through public spaces and events.
The Boynton Yards brand was created to engage three main groups:
City of Somerville and Investors: Showcase the project’s vision for neighborhood regeneration and long-term positive impact, building confidence in its success.
Future Lab Tenants: Highlight building efficiencies, transit access, and a creative, flexible environment, appealing to companies looking for growth and collaboration.
Media and Public: Tell the story of Boynton Yards as a transformative project, generating excitement and connecting with the community through public spaces and events.
The Boynton Yards brand was created to engage three main groups:
City of Somerville and Investors: Showcase the project’s vision for neighborhood regeneration and long-term positive impact, building confidence in its success.
Future Lab Tenants: Highlight building efficiencies, transit access, and a creative, flexible environment, appealing to companies looking for growth and collaboration.
Media and Public: Tell the story of Boynton Yards as a transformative project, generating excitement and connecting with the community through public spaces and events.
Research and
Inspiration
Research and
Inspiration
Research and
Inspiration
To create the brand identity for Boynton Yards, I drew inspiration from a diverse mix of architecture, installation art, modern workspaces, and urban design. This research emphasized the relationship between form and function, focusing on clean, geometric elements that communicate innovation and accessibility.
The visual references balance simplicity and rhythm, reflecting Boynton Yards’ role as both a creative and community-centered space. Key design elements, such as the connecting line, were inspired by architectural structures and fluid patterns, emphasizing connection and movement. These inspirations guided the brand’s minimalist aesthetic, ensuring it worked seamlessly across digital and physical spaces.
To create the brand identity for Boynton Yards, I drew inspiration from a diverse mix of architecture, installation art, modern workspaces, and urban design. This research emphasized the relationship between form and function, focusing on clean, geometric elements that communicate innovation and accessibility.
The visual references balance simplicity and rhythm, reflecting Boynton Yards’ role as both a creative and community-centered space. Key design elements, such as the connecting line, were inspired by architectural structures and fluid patterns, emphasizing connection and movement. These inspirations guided the brand’s minimalist aesthetic, ensuring it worked seamlessly across digital and physical spaces.
To create the brand identity for Boynton Yards, I drew inspiration from a diverse mix of architecture, installation art, modern workspaces, and urban design. This research emphasized the relationship between form and function, focusing on clean, geometric elements that communicate innovation and accessibility.
The visual references balance simplicity and rhythm, reflecting Boynton Yards’ role as both a creative and community-centered space. Key design elements, such as the connecting line, were inspired by architectural structures and fluid patterns, emphasizing connection and movement. These inspirations guided the brand’s minimalist aesthetic, ensuring it worked seamlessly across digital and physical spaces.
Design Strategy &
Implementation
Design Strategy &
Implementation
Design Strategy &
Implementation
The design strategy for Boynton Yards focused on simplicity and clarity, leveraging a monochromatic black-and-white palette to create a timeless and versatile identity. This stark color scheme allowed the design to focus on form and function, ensuring maximum impact without unnecessary distractions.
At the core of the identity is the connecting line—a flexible graphic element that bridges words, creates rhythmic movement in headlines, and spans layouts to establish cohesion across all brand touchpoints.
The typography is bold and modern, chosen to reflect both innovation and approachability. The simplicity of the black-and-white palette paired with strong typography reinforces the Boynton Yard’s focus on accessibility and progress, making it adaptable to both digital and physical applications.
The design strategy for Boynton Yards focused on simplicity and clarity, leveraging a monochromatic black-and-white palette to create a timeless and versatile identity. This stark color scheme allowed the design to focus on form and function, ensuring maximum impact without unnecessary distractions.
At the core of the identity is the connecting line—a flexible graphic element that bridges words, creates rhythmic movement in headlines, and spans layouts to establish cohesion across all brand touchpoints.
The typography is bold and modern, chosen to reflect both innovation and approachability. The simplicity of the black-and-white palette paired with strong typography reinforces the Boynton Yard’s focus on accessibility and progress, making it adaptable to both digital and physical applications.
The design strategy for Boynton Yards focused on simplicity and clarity, leveraging a monochromatic black-and-white palette to create a timeless and versatile identity. This stark color scheme allowed the design to focus on form and function, ensuring maximum impact without unnecessary distractions.
At the core of the identity is the connecting line—a flexible graphic element that bridges words, creates rhythmic movement in headlines, and spans layouts to establish cohesion across all brand touchpoints.
The typography is bold and modern, chosen to reflect both innovation and approachability. The simplicity of the black-and-white palette paired with strong typography reinforces the Boynton Yard’s focus on accessibility and progress, making it adaptable to both digital and physical applications.
Style guide
Style guide
Style guide
We created a style guide to ensure the Boynton Yards brand remains cohesive and flexible across all applications. The black-and-white color palette provides a clean, crisp foundation that contrasts with the physical site and sets it apart from competitors, while leaving room for personality through illustrations and photography. Stock images are treated with a subtle blur to create intrigue and a sense of discovery.
At the heart of the typography is Feixen Sans Medium, a modern and adaptable typeface. Paired with signature graphic lines—arcs, bounces, and straight lines—it brings rhythm and energy to layouts. When lines aren’t used, text is pinned to layout corners for structure. This style guide ensures the brand’s clean and innovative identity is consistently communicated across all touchpoints.
We created a style guide to ensure the Boynton Yards brand remains cohesive and flexible across all applications. The black-and-white color palette provides a clean, crisp foundation that contrasts with the physical site and sets it apart from competitors, while leaving room for personality through illustrations and photography. Stock images are treated with a subtle blur to create intrigue and a sense of discovery.
At the heart of the typography is Feixen Sans Medium, a modern and adaptable typeface. Paired with signature graphic lines—arcs, bounces, and straight lines—it brings rhythm and energy to layouts. When lines aren’t used, text is pinned to layout corners for structure. This style guide ensures the brand’s clean and innovative identity is consistently communicated across all touchpoints.
We created a style guide to ensure the Boynton Yards brand remains cohesive and flexible across all applications. The black-and-white color palette provides a clean, crisp foundation that contrasts with the physical site and sets it apart from competitors, while leaving room for personality through illustrations and photography. Stock images are treated with a subtle blur to create intrigue and a sense of discovery.
At the heart of the typography is Feixen Sans Medium, a modern and adaptable typeface. Paired with signature graphic lines—arcs, bounces, and straight lines—it brings rhythm and energy to layouts. When lines aren’t used, text is pinned to layout corners for structure. This style guide ensures the brand’s clean and innovative identity is consistently communicated across all touchpoints.
Real-World
Application
Real-World
Application
Real-World
Application
The new brand identity for Boynton Yards comes to life through impactful real-world applications, such as the mural and entrance signage.
The mural demonstrates the flexibility of the connecting line concept, bridging "Boynton" and "Yards" while creating a sense of rhythm and movement that reflects the neighborhood's innovative and dynamic spirit. Similarly, the building entrance at 101 South features the brand's clean typography and understated graphic elements, ensuring a cohesive visual language that communicates accessibility and professionalism. These applications showcase how the identity system extends seamlessly from large-scale environmental graphics to functional signage, reinforcing Boynton Yards as a hub for innovation and community.
Development and application by OverUnder.
The new brand identity for Boynton Yards comes to life through impactful real-world applications, such as the mural and entrance signage.
The mural demonstrates the flexibility of the connecting line concept, bridging "Boynton" and "Yards" while creating a sense of rhythm and movement that reflects the neighborhood's innovative and dynamic spirit. Similarly, the building entrance at 101 South features the brand's clean typography and understated graphic elements, ensuring a cohesive visual language that communicates accessibility and professionalism. These applications showcase how the identity system extends seamlessly from large-scale environmental graphics to functional signage, reinforcing Boynton Yards as a hub for innovation and community.
Development and application by OverUnder.
The new brand identity for Boynton Yards comes to life through impactful real-world applications, such as the mural and entrance signage.
The mural demonstrates the flexibility of the connecting line concept, bridging "Boynton" and "Yards" while creating a sense of rhythm and movement that reflects the neighborhood's innovative and dynamic spirit. Similarly, the building entrance at 101 South features the brand's clean typography and understated graphic elements, ensuring a cohesive visual language that communicates accessibility and professionalism. These applications showcase how the identity system extends seamlessly from large-scale environmental graphics to functional signage, reinforcing Boynton Yards as a hub for innovation and community.
Development and application by OverUnder.
Outcomes
Outcomes
Outcomes
The rebranding of Boynton Yards contributed to the success of this 1.8-million-square-foot innovation campus in Somerville, MA. Key outcomes include:
Community Impact: The development reclaimed 2.5 acres of outdoor space for active civic use, providing accessible green areas and fostering community engagement.
Tenant Attraction: Boynton Yards has secured a strong position in the life sciences sector, attracting diverse tenants to its state-of-the-art facilities.
Financing Success: In 2022, the project secured $278 million in financing, highlighting its prominence and growth potential in the market.
Vibrant Vision: The project includes three Class-A lab and office buildings, 350 modern apartments, and extensive public green space, establishing Boynton Yards as a thriving hub for innovation and community living.
The rebranding of Boynton Yards contributed to the success of this 1.8-million-square-foot innovation campus in Somerville, MA. Key outcomes include:
Community Impact: The development reclaimed 2.5 acres of outdoor space for active civic use, providing accessible green areas and fostering community engagement.
Tenant Attraction: Boynton Yards has secured a strong position in the life sciences sector, attracting diverse tenants to its state-of-the-art facilities.
Financing Success: In 2022, the project secured $278 million in financing, highlighting its prominence and growth potential in the market.
Vibrant Vision: The project includes three Class-A lab and office buildings, 350 modern apartments, and extensive public green space, establishing Boynton Yards as a thriving hub for innovation and community living.
The rebranding of Boynton Yards contributed to the success of this 1.8-million-square-foot innovation campus in Somerville, MA. Key outcomes include:
Community Impact: The development reclaimed 2.5 acres of outdoor space for active civic use, providing accessible green areas and fostering community engagement.
Tenant Attraction: Boynton Yards has secured a strong position in the life sciences sector, attracting diverse tenants to its state-of-the-art facilities.
Financing Success: In 2022, the project secured $278 million in financing, highlighting its prominence and growth potential in the market.
Vibrant Vision: The project includes three Class-A lab and office buildings, 350 modern apartments, and extensive public green space, establishing Boynton Yards as a thriving hub for innovation and community living.
Key Takeways
Key Takeways
Key Takeways
This project taught me how to create a simple, flexible brand identity that communicates accessibility and connection through clean design elements like the connecting line. I learned how to design a scalable system that works across spaces and platforms while aligning with real-world goals, such as attracting tenants and engaging the community. Most importantly, I gained experience crafting a brand that reflects its environment while shaping its future.
This project taught me how to create a simple, flexible brand identity that communicates accessibility and connection through clean design elements like the connecting line. I learned how to design a scalable system that works across spaces and platforms while aligning with real-world goals, such as attracting tenants and engaging the community. Most importantly, I gained experience crafting a brand that reflects its environment while shaping its future.
This project taught me how to create a simple, flexible brand identity that communicates accessibility and connection through clean design elements like the connecting line. I learned how to design a scalable system that works across spaces and platforms while aligning with real-world goals, such as attracting tenants and engaging the community. Most importantly, I gained experience crafting a brand that reflects its environment while shaping its future.