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Suomi Saunas

Branding, WEB, Art Direction
2024

Suomi Saunas is a Denver-based team of craftsmen and Finnish sauna specialists. They custom-design and build authentically Finnish saunas—bringing the sauna tradition of löyly (the spirit of the steam) to homes, gyms, or retreat centers. 

The logo for Suomi places the steam at the heart of the brand: a plume of steam forms a large “S”, rising up from a collection of three stones along the base. The icon is paired with a customized, calligraphic sans-serif wordmark—evoking an ancient tradition but drawn with sharp angles that speak to the modern, high-quality nature of the craft. The letters feature slightly-rounded corner radii on each apex and stem, echoing the form of the stones in the icon.

The color palette is rich and warm, and natural, realistic textures of charred wood, ice floes, dark stone, and cut timber reinforce the essence of fire, water, air, and earth that come together and create the sauna experience.

Suomi Saunas Logo Design
Suomi Saunas logo icon and wordmark design

For the Finn, the sauna is a sanctuary. The website features a brand reel that cycles through footage of steam, fire, water, and earth—in slow-motion first, then quickly speeding up—to connect the Finnish sauna experience with ancient traditions surrounding the four elements.

The site then introduces you to the concept of löyly—the spirit of the steamand the trusted expertise of the Suomi team. Most importantly, the site showcases beautiful finished products and testimonials as a proof of the craftsmens’ high-quality work.

A stylized illustration of smoke rising from two angular shapes, resembling rocks, enclosed within an oval made of dots on a black background. The design is simple and monochromatic.
A small wooden cabin with a shingled roof and a curved wood door is set in a fenced backyard. A lit lantern hangs beside the door. There is a rectangular window and an outdoor counter on the right. Trees are in the background.
A small, modern wooden cabin with large windows on a raised platform, nestled in a forested area. A pile of firewood is neatly stacked beside the entrance. The cabin has a dark exterior with natural wood accents.
Wooden stamp and board with branding "Suomi Saunas" on stone tiles at sunset. Trees and a vibrant sky are visible in the background.
Person viewing a webpage titled "Suomi" on a laptop. The screen displays an interior image of a wooden sauna with a stove and benches. The text describes a mission to create and share Finnish sauna experiences.
Person holding a tablet displaying a website. The screen shows a grid of nature images, and text about experiencing Finnish sauna traditions. The background is brown with navigation elements.
A laptop screen displays the website for Suomi, a sauna company. The page features a logo, navigation bar, and an "About Us" section highlighting the company's Finnish sauna craftsmanship and membership in the "Sauna Society."
A smartphone displaying a dark-themed sitemap list, including sections like "Home," "About," and "Contact." The screen shows the word "Suomi" and copyright details. A silhouette of a hand holds the phone against a soft brown background.
A person holds a tablet displaying a website with a dark theme. The header shows navigation links and wooden textures, while the main section features the text "Löyly: The Spirit of the Steam" with a "Get in touch" button below.
A business card from Suomi Saunas shows the name Kaleb Matson and contact details. Another card, black with embossed lettering, displays the Suomi Saunas logo and name. The background is a gradient of light to dark brown.
Hands lighting a match from a box labeled "Suomi" against a golden-brown background.
A wooden stamp with a black handle imprints a design on gray paper. The design features a stylized sauna steam silhouette surrounded by the words "FULL STEAM AHEAD" in capital letters arranged in an oval shape.
A scattered pile of white stickers featuring black text reads "SUOMI SAUNAS DESIGNED AND BUILT BY FINNS" with a stylized illustration of a sauna stone heater.
Wooden sauna with a glass window showcasing an outdoor view of trees. A round wood-burning stove, adorned with a metal pattern and stones on top, is in the corner. Wooden benches line the walls, and a small black bucket is on one bench.
Interior of a wooden sauna with slatted benches, a central rock heater with a chimney, and a small window revealing greenery outside. The wood paneling gives a warm and inviting appearance.
Wooden sauna interior with horizontal planks and a bench. The bench has a logo with the text "Suomi Saunas" printed on it. The warm, natural wood tones give it a cozy and inviting appearance.

Credits

Client
Suomi Saunas
(Kaleb Matson, Owner and Craftsman)

Designer
Russell Shaw

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