Hearth & Rise

Overview

Hearth & Rise is an artisanal bread company focused on slow fermentation, simple ingredients, and everyday nourishment. As the brand prepared to expand from local farmers markets into regional grocery stores, Hearth & Rise partnered with Climb to create a brand identity that could communicate craftsmanship, approachability, and trust—both on the shelf and at the table.

The Problem

Hearth & Rise had built a loyal local following, but their brand lacked the clarity and consistency needed for broader distribution. Packaging and visuals felt homemade rather than intentional, and the brand struggled to stand out in crowded bread aisles dominated by loud claims and rustic clichés.

Key challenges included:

• An inconsistent visual identity across packaging and signage
• Difficulty communicating quality without feeling niche or pretentious
• Limited shelf impact in competitive retail environments
• A need to scale the brand while preserving its handmade roots

Hearth & Rise needed a brand that felt honest and familiar—one that invited trust at first glance.

The Solution

Climb developed a brand rooted in warmth, restraint, and everyday ritual—designed to feel timeless rather than trendy.

Brand Strategy & Identity

The identity system drew inspiration from early mornings, shared meals, and the quiet craft of baking.

• A classic yet modern wordmark designed for packaging and storefronts
• A warm, natural color palette inspired by grain, flour, and crust
• A typographic system balancing tradition with contemporary clarity
• Subtle graphic elements referencing scoring marks and fermentation patterns

The brand voice was refined to focus on nourishment, patience, and care—speaking to families and food-conscious shoppers alike.

Project Timeline

• Week 1: Brand discovery and positioning
• Week 2–3: Visual identity exploration and refinement
• Week 4: Packaging system and retail applications
• Week 5: Brand guidelines and production-ready assets

Total timeline: 5 weeks from kickoff to final brand system

The Outcome

The new brand helped Hearth & Rise successfully transition from local favorite to regional retail presence.

Results within the first 90 days:

• Secured placement in 18 regional grocery stores
• +61% increase in sell-through compared to previous packaging
• Strong positive feedback from retail buyers and customers
• Improved brand recognition across in-store and digital channels
• Clear framework for future product line extensions

Most importantly, Hearth & Rise gained a brand designed to scale—without losing the care and craft that defined it from the start.

Closing

By focusing on warmth and clarity, Climb helped Hearth & Rise build a brand that feels as trustworthy as the product itself—proving that good design, like good bread, is built slowly and with intention.