I’m thrilled to announce my latest project, partnering with a Nottingham-based funeral company, Shrine Crystals. Their unique approach to memorial keepsakes was something really exciting for me to work on (unfortunately I can’t reveal too much about their exact products just yet).
The project kicked off by developing design templates for their printed products. There were various technical considerations to ensure everything not only looked beautiful but also functioned smoothly across multiple platforms. The goal was to create designs that were both sophisticated and practical, keeping in mind the emotional weight behind each piece.
One of the key aspects of this collaboration was the design training I provided for the Shrine Crystals team. I knew they needed to be self-sufficient once the initial branding was done, so I created a series of video tutorials. These videos walked them through step-by-step instructions on how to manage and update their templates—everything from editing text and images to ensuring color consistency across different materials. By the end of the training, they felt confident in maintaining their brand’s visual identity on their own.
The challenging but part I found a lot fulfillment from was definitely the brand imagery and visual identity. Shrine Crystals operates in a market that’s both unique and saturated, so standing out was a must. After going through several iterations of logos and imagery, we landed on a crystal symbol for the logo—a natural choice, given the product. The logo represents both the delicacy and beauty of the keepsakes they create, while the overall visual identity needed to feel “expensive” yet still lean into traditional funeral brand aesthetics. We used muted, calming tones and elegant fonts to strike that balance between luxury and sensitivity.
Building this brand from scratch, especially for such a unique concept within the funeral industry, was a great experience. The Nottingham-based team at Shrine Crystals now has a visual identity that reflects their heartfelt mission, with the flexibility to grow and evolve in the future, which I’m helping them do going forward.
Why Shrine Crystals Stands Out
Working with Shrine Crystals has been a deeply fulfilling project for many reasons. For one, it’s not every day that you get to work with a funeral company offering such a unique service. In a market where traditional memorial products often feel a bit outdated, Shrine Crystals is shaking things up with their modern, artistic approach. Their keepsakes are more than just products—they’re pieces of art, created to honor a loved one’s memory in a tangible, lasting way.
This uniqueness was both a blessing and a challenge when it came to the brand imagery. On the one hand, their product speaks for itself in terms of beauty and craftsmanship. On the other hand, we had to find ways to differentiate Shrine Crystals from other memorial products in a way that felt appropriate for their target audience. After all, we’re talking about a very personal and emotional purchase, so the branding needed to reflect that level of care.
We chose a crystal as the core symbol for the logo for obvious reasons—it perfectly captures the essence of their product. But we didn’t stop there. We refined the logo through several iterations, experimenting with various shapes, line weights, and color schemes to get it just right. The final version features clean, elegant lines that hint at the natural beauty of the crystals themselves, while also feeling modern and fresh.
Visual Identity and Brand Imagery
It was important that the visual identity felt both luxurious and approachable. This is where the challenge of branding for a funeral company came into play. You want to communicate quality and craftsmanship, but you also need to be respectful of the sensitive nature of the business. After much experimentation, we settled on a color palette of dark black and greys—colors that neutral and let the products do the talking. The typography, too, was carefully chosen to convey a sense of timelessness and grace, with a modern edge.
Imagery played a huge role in bringing everything together. We focused on capturing the intricate beauty of the crystals themselves, using close-up photography that showcases the way light interacts with the glass. These images will serve as key visuals for the website, social media, and other marketing materials, helping to create an emotional connection with potential customers right from the first glance.
The Importance of Design Training
A key part of this project wasn’t just delivering a final product, but also ensuring that the Shrine Crystals team could take full ownership of their brand moving forward. That’s why I made sure to include design training as part of the process. I didn’t want them to feel dependent on me every time they needed a small update or tweak to their materials.
The training videos I created walked them through the essential tasks they’d need to keep their branding consistent and polished. From updating the templates I designed to adding new images or content, the videos covered everything in clear, easy-to-follow steps. The goal was to empower them to manage their own brand confidently, and I’m happy to say it was a huge success. Now, they can handle day-to-day updates on their own, but I’ll always be here if they need a helping hand.
What’s Next for Shrine Crystals?
This project has been such a rewarding journey, and I’m really proud of the work we’ve done together. With the brand imagery and visual identity now firmly in place, the Shrine Crystals team is ready to launch their business and start making an impact in the Nottingham market and beyond.
I’ll be following their journey closely, and I can’t wait to see how the brand continues to evolve as they grow. I’m confident that the strong foundation we’ve built will serve them well as they carve out a unique space in the funeral industry, offering something truly different and beautiful to people who are looking to honor their loved ones in a meaningful way.
If you’re interested in hearing more about this project or want to see how I can help your business develop its brand identity, feel free to reach out. Whether it’s design training, or building a brand from the ground up, I’m always ready for the next challenge! Thanks for following along with this journey, and stay tuned for more updates from me and Shrine Crystals!
You can check out their landing page at www.shrinecrystals.co.uk