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John Hornsby

Is the Future of Branding Digital or Physical? Find Out in Our October Roundup!

Published 7 months ago • 5 min read

Monthly Update • Oct 2023

On tap:
The Future of Branded Environments

Spotlight: Citizens Fuel

Asheville Periodontics: Dressing for Success

AIGA AVL's Design Weekend Conference

John Joins Mountain BizWorks Coaching Team

Welcome Brown Mountain Bodywork

Peak Promo at the National Design Conference

As the leaves change and the air turns crisp, we're excited to share what's been brewing at Hornsby Creative this month. And like a tasty, tricky treat we've got our monthly playlist to share. Let's dive in Reader!

The Future of Branded Environments

In an era where digital experiences often take center stage, the importance of physical spaces—branded environments—cannot be overlooked. At Hornsby Creative, we believe that the tangible world still holds immense power in shaping brand experiences. Here's why physical spaces are more relevant than ever, even in our increasingly digital lives.

The Shift to Digital

Over the past decade, there has been an undeniable shift towards digital experiences. From online shopping to virtual events, the digital realm offers convenience and scalability. But what happens to physical spaces in this equation?

The Emotional Impact of Physical Spaces

Physical environments offer something that digital platforms can't—emotional resonance. The texture of a material, the ambiance of a space, and even the scent in the air can evoke feelings and create lasting impressions.

As we navigate the complexities of a digital world, let's not forget the unique flavor that physical spaces bring to our brand experiences. The future of branded destinations and environments is not an either/or scenario; it's a harmonious blend of digital and physical, each amplifying the other.

Hop on over to our site to learn more about how we can help with designing physical waypoints on your branding journey.


Request your free copy of the Summit Seeker Strategy Workbook

Ready to see how you can incorporate physical branding into your next experience? We're putting the finishing touches on this new DIY tool now. Click below to join the waitlist and be the first to get a copy.

Client Spotlight: Citizens Fuel

We recently had the pleasure of working with Citizens Fuel on their strategy, branding, environmental design, and website. The result? A brand experience that truly resonates. Stay tuned for more as we work towards launching a new website and case study soon. Special thank you to Laura Hudson Architecture for another awesome collaboration.


Asheville Periodontics: Dressing for Success

We've been working closely with Asheville Periodontics to create branded apparel that includes jackets, t-shirts, and scrubs. Now, they're not just performing professional caring work; they're looking good and on-brand while doing it!

P.S. Don't forget to floss.


AIGA AVL's Design Weekend Conference

We're not just participants; we're also organizers! We've been actively involved in organizing AIGA AVL's Design Weekend Conference, designed the branding and we're proud sponsors. Don't miss this opportunity to immerse yourself in design innovation.


🎺2023 Asheville Design Weekend Early Bird Tickets are NOW ON SALE! Join #AIGAAVL and creatives and designers from all industries and disciplines Friday, Nov. 3rd - Sunday, Nov. 5th to celebrate and uplift talent from Asheville and across North Carolina. Tickets are available now:

📆PROGRAM SCHEDULE

☑️We kick off on Friday with a special party at Cowork at Center for Craft.
☑️On Saturday we’ll enjoy an amazing lineup of presenters at Mojo Coworking including concurrent talks, panels, and workshops throughout the day.
☑️Sunday concludes the event with a wonderful, collaborative PechaKucha Asheville event followed by a selection of tours to choose from including beautiful architectural & design spaces, plus street art murals.

💪🏾THE POWER OF DESIGN

This year we explore "The Power of Design" together.
Design has the power to shape the world. It solves problems, tells stories, and evokes emotions. Design is more than aesthetics. It’s a means to educate, inspire, and communicate what we believe in. Design has the extraordinary ability to influence perceptions, challenge possibilities, and make a lasting impact on the future.

😍We can’t wait to see everyone soon. Tickets prices will increase on Oct. 16th so don’t delay. Wanna go, but tight on cash? Volunteer for a free ticket!


John Joins Mountain BizWorks Coaching Team

Six years ago, I sat in a Mountain BizWorks foundations class led by Dr. Joseph Fox, my heart brimming with hope and a vision to relaunch my business. Those days were a mix of overwhelm and excitement. Two years ago, I organized the Freelance Business Week conference, backed by support from Mountain BizWorks and many others. We celebrated the entrepreneurial spirit – gritty and hopeful, even in challenging times.

Collaboration and connection have always been close to my heart. Serving on the board of the Asheville Affiliates, being part of CreativeMornings, and now as VP of AIGA Asheville, I've seen the strength of community and shared visions. Together, we can achieve meaningful experiences.

Today, I'm filled with gratitude as I announce two pivotal milestones: joining the coaching team at Mountain BizWorks and stepping into the role of an Ambassador for the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce.

These roles symbolize a journey of community, collaboration, and commitment. My goal is to deepen connections in Western North Carolina's entrepreneurial fabric, ensuring every voice and business can shine.

To everyone who's been part of my journey, from that foundations class to clients, partners, and mentors today – thank you. Your support has been my guiding star. Here's to the next chapter and forging stronger bonds in our incredible community.

New Client Shout Out: Welcome Brown Mountain Bodywork

We're delighted to welcome Brown Mountain Bodywork to the Hornsby Creative family. Together, we'll be embarking on an exciting journey to craft their unique brand flavor through identity design.


Peak Promo at the National Design Conference in NY

We're thrilled to announce that our Peak Promo division is sponsoring the upcoming AIGA National Design Conference in New York. Our very own John Hornsby will be heading to the Big Apple next week to represent us and our Asheville Chapter of AIGA. Stay tuned to our socials for live updates and insights from the event! And please be patient as we take this time off next week for professional development and networking (and a real bagel.)

Fall Gift Guide

Whether you are gearing up for holiday corporate gift-giving or elevating your merch game for your next conference, trade show, or tabling event we've got sustainable ethical merch to align with your brand.

Click to browse our fall catalog to explore some of our favorite quality gear for the fall season.


Custom Bags, Boo

No tricks, just treats. Looking for the perfect holiday branding solution? Peak Promo by Hornsby Creative presents custom-printed shopping bags tailored for your business needs: 📈 Swift lead times to keep up with the festive demand. 🔍 Adaptable order sizes with low minimum requirements. ♻️ Made from eco-friendly paper stocks, aligning with responsible branding. 🎨 Showcase your brand in full color on all four sides. 📍 Proudly crafted in the USA. Elevate your branding this holiday season.

Contact us today to explore custom bags for your shop!


Let's Jam!

As usual, we keep pumping out a monthly playlist of tunes that are keeping us motivated as we work on building brands and discovering new opportunities. Click below for our current playlists. This month's cover art is a paper collage John made with human intelligence.

What are you listening to right now? Replay back and let us know and we might add it to a future playlist.

1195 Plott Creek Rd, Waynesville, NC 28786
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John Hornsby

Making good things happen.

I help business leaders seize opportunities and grow efficiently. Founder, CEO, Creative Director. Call me what you like. I’m the primary creative force here at Hornsby Creative. As the leader of our team of creatives who make projects happen, chances are you’ll be working with me as we collaborate to discover, design, and deliver your next branded experience. According to the Gallup Strengths Finders methodology, my top 5 core strengths are Connectedness, Input, Ideation, Strategic, and Achiever. Let’s chat about how I can apply these strengths to help focus and grow your business. Together we'll build a more positive and profitable influence for your business.

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