THORN & VELLUM

A brand strategy and identity design project for an antiquarian and rare bookseller in Connecticut, Annie Rowlinson. Annie was the most delightful human to work with and has an incredibly cool job.

Annie sells rare books, manuscripts, and ephemera from the 18th century until the modern day, mainly relating to women's experiences. She sells everything from Regency-era sketchbooks to 1930s mail-order contraceptive catalogues and everything in between. Her customers range from individual book collectors to large museums, libraries, and institutions with large dedicated budgets for acquiring rare materials and archives.

Before settling on Thorn & Vellum as her business name, she considered naming it Pope Joan! She found my website through Google while checking to see if the name was taken. As a result, the relationship between Thorn & Vellum and Pope Joan Design Studio was born.

PROJECT GOAL

By immersing myself in Annie’s world and the rare treasures she uncovers, I crafted a brand identity that authentically reflects her expertise and passion. The chosen font, inspired by 18th-century printer specimens, features intentionally irregular spacing and a dynamic baseline—evoking the charm of hastily printed historical leaflets.

A carefully curated color palette, reminiscent of aged vellum, enhances the brand’s sense of heritage and authenticity. The addition of a vintage botanical motif, accented with a delicately nestled thorn, reinforces the brand’s storytelling—blending elegance with an edge. This cohesive visual system strengthens brand recognition, deepens emotional connection with history enthusiasts and collectors, and positions Annie as a trusted authority in her field.