About
Silver Sails Press is an independent publishing house with a strong mission: To publish writing that challenges readers to think deeply and question assumptions.
Founded by a sailing enthusiast whose personal connection to the sea inspired both the company’s name and identity.
This publisher focuses on works that encourage readers to seek freedom and explore their inner truths.
The name itself carries a touching origin story, inspired by Paul Simon’s “Bridge Over Troubled Water” lyrics: “Sail on silver girl, sail on by. Your time has come to shine.”
This personal connection to both sailing and silver hair created a meaningful foundation for the brand’s identity.
Design Challenge
The primary challenge was to create a versatile logo system that could:
1. Capture the publisher’s minimalist aesthetic while conveying deep meaning through subtle visual hints rather than literal representation
2. Effectively function across multiple applications, including:
– Full logo treatment for book title pages
– Compact spine version with specific readability requirements
– Abbreviated version for cover designs
– Web-optimized version
– Negative versions for dark backgrounds

Solution
The logo needed to incorporate several key symbolic elements:
– A sail as the central motif, representing both the physical act of sailing and the metaphorical journey of storytelling
– A subtle reference to wind as an unseen guiding force
– A star element to represent guidance and companionship on life’s journey
– An overall sense of freedom and constant change

Color
The color palette for Silver Sails Press was carefully crafted to blend both the maritime heritage of the brand and its complex literary identity. At its core, the palette creates a journey from deep midnight blues to silver tones, mirroring the transition from night to dawn on the open sea.
The palette expands through a thoughtful progression from Midnight through various blues:
- Madison: A slightly softened navy
- San Marino: A middle-tone blue reminiscent of coastal waters
- Wild Blue Yonder: A dreamy, atmospheric blue
- Mischka: A gentle, silver-tinged pale blue
This gradient mirrors the way dawn breaks over the ocean, transforming from the depths of night to the silver-touched morning. The progression also serves a practical purpose, offering flexibility for various design applications while maintaining brand coherence.
The inclusion of pure black and white provides essential contrast for print applications, particularly crucial for book design where readability and reproduction quality are paramount. These foundational colors ensure the logo remains crisp and legible across all media, from spine text to digital displays.




Fonts
The typographic selection for Silver Sails Press balances modern sensibility with classic publishing traditions through two carefully chosen typefaces: Atilla Condensed and Lubalin Graph.
Primary Typeface: Atilla Condensed
Atilla Condensed serves as the primary display typeface, chosen for its distinctive character and versatile weight range.
The condensed nature of Atilla makes it particularly suitable for book spines and headers where space efficiency is crucial while maintaining readability. Its modern geometric construction aligns with the publisher’s forward-thinking approach, while its clean lines echo the minimalist aesthetic central to the brand.

Secondary Typeface: Lubalin Graph
The choice of Lubalin Graph pays homage to traditional publishing with its slab serif details while maintaining a contemporary feel. Its excellent legibility at various sizes makes it ideal for both digital and print applications, from website content to book interiors.
Type System Implementation
The pairing of these typefaces creates a sophisticated system that:
- Maintains clarity across all publishing formats
- Provides ample variation for creating clear hierarchies
- Balances modern and traditional publishing aesthetics
- Ensures consistent brand recognition through distinctive letterforms
Accommodates both display and body copy needs effectively

Print Visual Branding










Digital & Social Media Visual Branding


