Setting. Located in the lower region of Mississippi is a 4,000-acre retreat of lush pine, natural growth, morning steam rising from surrounding natural lakes, and fields of the brush… perfect for the quail hunt.

Longleaf Plantation is a sportsman’s respite, true to the tradition of the Old South and a time when gentlemen would gather together and indulge in lively sport, impeccable Southern cuisine, much needed relaxation, and all-around camaraderie, culminating with the classic Bobwhite Quail Hunt as the apex of the festivities.

Longleaf pays homage to these rich days of old, and then some, making it the perfect retreat for business, pleasure, or both. In fact, at Longleaf, it’s quite likely you’ll find what you’re seeking before the hunt even begins.

When RARE began the branding process for Longleaf, it was clear that this wasn’t just a retreat. It’s a place for total escape. A place where you can get back to your childlike outdoor play. Post-brand development, RARE had the privilege to design collateral. Longleaf is the full experience. All senses engaged to the fullest.

“Forrest General Healthcare Foundation is the philanthropic arm of Forrest General Hospital.  The establishment of the Foundation helps ensure that the hospital’s vision of C.A.R.E. becomes a reality for the 17 county region that this hospital serves. Forrest General Healthcare Foundation’s mission is to enhance the health and wellness of their service area through a charitable gift foundation that will support the mission of Forrest General Hospital.”

Having developed their branding and identity, RARE had the honor and privilege of working with FGHF again, only this time as a partner in creating a brand worthy web presence, a place where the Foundation could inform its donors of past successes and current initiatives. And that’s exactly what we did. Head over to check out the site by clicking here.

RARE also established FGHF’s social networking through Fb.

The Spring 2013 Issue of The Talon is another reminder of why we do what we do! What makes this issue unparalleled to others? Because, we get stoked when we see a brand being lived out by the client and the success that follows.

Java Moe’s, purveyors of delicious piping hot (or cold if that’s your thing) coffee, were spotlighted in the recent article for their dream-turned-success. In May 2012 they came to RARE in hopes of finding brand guidance. After a full-blow brand development process, they left RARE doubtless that they could succeed. And now, April 2013, they have three locations and are looking to open another!

If you’re ever in the Hattiesburg area and you see the lil’ red building on the hill, stop by and grab a delicious cup of Java Moe’s where the daily moto is “Love Coffee. Love People.” Enjoy!

You can check out Java Moe’s social life via Fb.

No matter how busy a life you have, Spring makes it always worthwhile to find time to walk outside into an adventurous place during a sunny moment and just enjoy the discovery of the springtime feeling.

There’s no better place to discover and experience that feeling than the adventure taken during Historic Hattiesburg Downtown Association’s own Spring Art Walk! RARE has the great honor to work with HHDA through the campaign of Discover Downtown in the design of Spring, Fall & Holiday Art Walk each year.

Spring Art Walk 2013 Campaign is now on display through traditional media via handbills and posters distributed throughout all the local businesses in Downtown Hattiesburg. It’s also through social media channels that we chat and inform our audience about this wonderful event. Through these efforts, we help to make this day known to all of south MS so people can experience this annual event filled with music and art vendors from all over.

It’s a day and night to get lost in the music and beauty of the arts!!

Continuing one of our fave relationships with Lone Star Sports & Entertainment and The Texas Bowl (aka Meineke Car Care Bowl of Texas), we’re happy to show our latest mark in the Texas Bowl family – the Texas Kickoff Classic (@TexasKickoff). It’s all steely Texan and gridiron grind – exactly what you’ve come to expect from football in the Lone Star State.

Here’s the launch article for the game: (Texas Kickoff Classic to Take Place August 31)

See also: Meineke Car Care Bowl and Texas Bowl

Article by our local Hattiesburg American, outlining the RARE Design team and our work on the New Orleans Pelicans. Enjoy!

“Hattiesburg man creates new logo for New Orleans Pelicans”

Rodney Richardson sits in front of a collection of branding his company, RARE Design, created for the New Orleans Pelicans from their location at the Bakery Building in downtown Hattiesburg.   Photo Bryant Hawkins/Hattiesburg American

Mississippi may not have its own major league professional sports team, but one Hattiesburg resident can at least say he had a major part in developing one.

Rodney Richardson, founder and principal of RARE Design in downtown Hattiesburg, recently designed a new logo for the NBA’s New Orleans Hornets, who will soon become the New Orleans Pelicans.”

Full Article by Hattiesburg American.

For the transition from the New Orleans Hornets into the New Orleans Pelicans, the NBA looked to RARE for a total team overhaul. You can go here to view the final logos.

“A girl should be two things: classy and fabulous.” – Coco Chanel

Coco had it right, except for one thing. A true beauty must also be inspired by her divine nature! You may ask, “What do you find in the nature of a Mississippi beauty?” RARE did. And the branding was a thing of art; just as it should be. For a McB’s girl, its all in the B’g.

Be Bold. Be Beautiful. Be You at McB’s.

Though originally known for carrying the latest fashion trends in men’s and women’s clothing, with the help of RARE, McB’s shifted its focus to reflect the sweet, spirited nature of its client base. With a new savvy chic approach to apparel and accessories, McB’s is Hattiesburg’s leading retailer for the shopper in search of fashion that reflects her bold, beautiful and uniquely Southern style.

The branding consisted of a new identity, graphic standards, website, outdoor, magazine, social advertising, video/commercials, in-store design, building signage, and press release. RARE developed two main Campaigns during the unveiling process. The Launch Campaign was to start the buzz and advertise for the Open House unveiling party. With no time to waste, we jumped right into a Holiday Campaign so everyone could come find that perfect outfit for the big Christmas and New Years parties!

Launching with a Chanel Event, RARE created fabulous invitations which were sent all over south Mississippi. In building the Launch Campaign, RARE directed a photo and video shoot to capture the essence of the new direction and clothing lines. The photographs were used across all media outlets. The video played throughout the store on Opening Night as customers partook in delicate refreshments and marveled at the newly rebranded McB’s!

Campaign Photography by Bishop Creatives.

VOD… the Cocktail with Limitless Possibilites, goes social! #VODtastic

Follow VOD on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

We have 1 team left in the hunt for the Lombardi trophy, so, yep, you better believe RARE’s all on board for the Quest for Six!

Here’s a little look at some of our work for the 49ers over the years. We’re proud to be a part of such a storied franchise.

When the 49ers approached us to help revise their secondary graphics and better solidify their identity, there was 1 thing we knew for certain – the “SF Oval” was the crown jewel around which we would build everything else. To do this, we custom built an entire typeface from just those 2 letters. From there, the first mark to emerge was the new “49ERS” secondary logotype that graces the end zones, uniforms, and all sorts of other fun applications.

Commemorative logo created for the celebration of the Niners’ 60th season.

Tertiary icon.

“Faithful City” fan zone.