work

Kin

Live Pleasantly

Kin, a cozy community of apartment homes in Madison, was looking for something fresh to define their brand identity. After years of investing in their property and their people, Kin called on Savage to conjure up an updated look, a new name, and a brand story that emulates their reputation for compassion and kindness.

Brand Architecture

Brand Identity

Naming

The Client: Kin
Kin is a welcoming, family-owned pocket of apartment homes just minutes from downtown Madison, Wisconsin. Intentional about providing a uniquely personal, friendly touch to all interactions, Kin’s team ensures that residents are comfortable, cared for, and proud to call Kin their home.
The Challenge

The Maple Grove mix-up

When we first met Kin, they went by the name “Maple Grove Apartment Homes.” Unfortunately, this name was shared with a competing apartment complex in the area, often leading visitors and prospective residents to the wrong location. To top it off, Maple Grove was the name of a nearby street, a park around the corner, and the neighborhood itself. In the sea of identical names, many people’s first impression of Maple Grove was, simply, confusion.

We couldn’t get cracking on a rebrand operation before landing on a new name—a name that was simple, memorable, and capable of emulating an easy, pleasant living experience.

The Strategy

Where comfort meets connection

When the Savages first visited this community of apartments, we were instantly met with genuine warmth and kindness. It was clear that in their community, connection has no judgement. The team in the front office makes it their mission to keep their residents happy, comfortable, and accepted as part of the family. “Our tenants tell us their stories,” shared Natasha, Property Manager of 14 years. “They feel connected to us and our place.”

We took this unique characteristic and ran with it: ultimately landing on the name Kin. Kin is defined as “one’s family or relations.” Signs that you have found your kindred spirit include strong connection, mutual support, and a high degree of comfort. Thus, Kin was a perfect fit. The best part? There wasn’t an apartment down the street with the same name.

With that theme of family sparking the flame, we built a brand voice that radiates a true sense of belonging. The messaging highlights all of the best parts of Kin: the dog-friendly amenities, the beautiful outdoor pool, and of course, the notion of effortless connection. We designed Kin’s logo to allude to the beauty of simplicity, while the nature-inspired colorway evokes a sense of comfort and calmness.

Because Kin fosters an environment that encourages kindness, it’s not uncommon to see neighbors, fellow dog owners, and maintenance crew greet one another by name. We strategically designed playful illustrations to echo the friendly nature of the Kin community, and then implemented these drawings throughout the brand. The scrapbook-esque layouts elicit a personal, approachable touch that communicates the solace that can be found in this quiet pocket of apartments. These quirky graphic elements, combined with the brand’s calm colors and fonts, inspire optimism to those who call Kin their home.
The Result

A warm welcome

Kindness costs nothing, but adds so much value to the Kin community. Their new brand name, design, and messaging encapsulates the warm, inviting atmosphere that the people and the property provide.

Both new and established residents are invited to live pleasantly at Kin; the perfect place to start and end each day. Their friendly, knowledgeable team has been helping people live comfortably—and happily—for years. Now they have a brand to match.

up next:
SoulBoxer Cocktail Co.

The classic cocktail revival we’ve all been waiting for

Let's go