Vendors of Color
Founder | Creative Direction | Squarespace Web Design & DevelopmentLive Site
Client: Vendors of Color
Industry: Wedding Directory
Location: Pacific Northwest
The Vision
The Vendors of Color Directory was born out of a need for change in the wedding industry. During the 2020 Black Lives Matter movement, I witnessed many photographers organizing styled shoots to diversify their portfolios. However, despite these efforts, I noticed that the teams behind the scenes remained predominantly white. This gap in the industry sparked the idea for a platform that could amplify BIPOC voices and talent in the wedding space.
Vendors of Color was created to promote diversity within the vendor network, helping clients make more intentional, inclusive choices for their weddings and events. This directory is a dedicated space for BIPOC wedding professionals, particularly within the Pacific Northwest, with a mission to ensure these vendors are seen, celebrated, and, most importantly, hired. It’s a space that not only showcases their talents but actively works to diversify the industry as a whole.
The Brand
When I was tasked with designing the brand for Vendors of Color, I knew I wanted it to stand out from traditional wedding directories. The wedding industry often defaults to soft pastels and neutral tones, so I made a conscious decision to break away from that and celebrate the rich diversity of cultures represented within the directory.
The color palette we chose is bold, vibrant, and energetic—reflecting the colorful personalities, experiences, and cultures of the vendors it represents. The goal was to create a visual identity that felt welcoming and full of life, one that could stand out and make a statement in a sea of more traditional wedding sites.
For typography, I kept it minimal to maintain clarity and legibility but incorporated a nod to old-school poster design with large, bold sans serif fonts. This gave the brand a modern yet timeless feel, ensuring that it was both approachable and striking.
The Website Design
With the branding in place, the next step was bringing this vision to life through the website design. The layout had to be clean, easy to navigate, and focused on showcasing the talent of the vendors. We prioritized simplicity and function over clutter, ensuring that the vendors’ profiles were front and center.
The website features an intuitive search and filtering system, allowing clients to easily find BIPOC vendors based on location, service type, and other preferences. The design also highlights individual vendor profiles with a minimal but impactful layout, making it easy for users to learn more about each vendor and reach out for bookings.
The overall user experience is designed to be welcoming and accessible, with a focus on celebration rather than just listing information. The end result is a beautiful, vibrant space where BIPOC wedding professionals can shine and where clients are empowered to make more inclusive choices for their big day.
Key Features
- Bold, vibrant color palette to celebrate the diverse cultures and backgrounds of the vendors
- Minimal yet striking typography inspired by classic poster design for a modern and timeless feel
- Clean, intuitive layout focusing on vendor profiles to ensure a streamlined user experience
- Comprehensive search and filtering options to help clients easily find BIPOC wedding professionals based on their needs
- Responsive design to ensure the website looks great and functions seamlessly across all devices
Outcome
The Vendors of Color Directory now stands as a powerful resource for clients looking to hire diverse, talented vendors for their weddings and events. The website not only serves as a practical tool for discovering BIPOC professionals but also embodies the mission of celebrating diversity within the wedding industry. By combining bold design with a clean, user-friendly interface, we’ve created a space that truly reflects the vibrancy and inclusivity that the directory stands for.
Through this platform, we’re helping to reshape the narrative of the wedding industry, one vendor at a time.
