Birds Barbershop
Art Direction, Experiential & Environmental Design
Austin, TX
Completed, 2023
Brand Translation, Spatial Experience, Custom Millwork, Product Integration, Concept Branding Products + Assets
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Birds Barbershop — William Cannon
An immersive brand environment translating identity, culture, and care into everyday experience
The William Cannon location marked Birds Barbershop’s third collaboration with the studio—and an opportunity to extend a deeply familiar brand into a new, immersive expression. Rather than redesigning from scratch, the project focused on translating Birds’ optimistic, irreverent identity into an environment that could be felt, navigated, and lived in—creating a space where brand values, cultural history, and daily rituals align seamlessly.
An immersive brand environment translating identity, culture, and care into everyday experience
Birds Barbershop — William Cannon
The William Cannon location marked Birds Barbershop’s third collaboration with the studio—and an opportunity to extend a deeply familiar brand into a new, immersive expression. Rather than redesigning from scratch, the project focused on translating Birds’ optimistic, irreverent identity into an environment that could be felt, navigated, and lived in—creating a space where brand values, cultural history, and daily rituals align seamlessly.
Client: Birds Barbershop
Role: Art Direction, Experiential & Environmental Design
Location: Austin, TX
Year: Completed, 2023
Scope: Brand Translation, Spatial Experience, Custom Millwork, Product Integration, Concept Branding Products + Assets
With Birds Barbershop and VERB haircare sharing a founder and a deeply connected brand ethos, the space was conceived as a cohesive ecosystem rather than a single-brand environment. The design thoughtfully integrates VERB products into the experience—allowing retail moments, material choices, and spatial cues to feel intentional and seamless—while preserving the distinct identities of each brand. The result is an environment where service, product, and brand expression reinforce one another without competing for attention.
Drawing from Birds’ iconic signage, playful iconography, and Memphis-inspired visual language, familiar brand elements were filtered through a contemporary lens. Rather than introducing novelty for its own sake, the design expands on what already resonated—reinforcing recognition while allowing the environment to feel energized, current, and unmistakably Birds.
With Birds Barbershop and VERB haircare sharing a founder and a deeply connected brand ethos, the space was conceived as a cohesive ecosystem rather than a single-brand environment. The design thoughtfully integrates VERB products into the experience—allowing retail moments, material choices, and spatial cues to feel intentional and seamless—while preserving the distinct identities of each brand. The result is an environment where service, product, and brand expression reinforce one another without competing for attention.
Drawing from Birds’ iconic signage, playful iconography, and Memphis-inspired visual language, familiar brand elements were filtered through a contemporary lens. Rather than introducing novelty for its own sake, the design expands on what already resonated—reinforcing recognition while allowing the environment to feel energized, current, and unmistakably Birds.
The environment is designed to be interacted with, not just observed. Custom millwork elements anchor the space while inviting engagement—supporting the rhythms of stylists, encouraging discovery of products and merchandise, and creating moments of personality through employee-collected objects. Every touchpoint was considered as part of the brand experience, ensuring the space feels intuitive, expressive, and human at every scale.
The environment is designed to be interacted with, not just observed. Custom millwork elements anchor the space while inviting engagement—supporting the rhythms of stylists, encouraging discovery of products and merchandise, and creating moments of personality through employee-collected objects. Every touchpoint was considered as part of the brand experience, ensuring the space feels intuitive, expressive, and human at every scale.
The William Cannon location transforms a previously neutral storefront into a fully immersive brand moment—one that balances familiarity with evolution. By aligning spatial design, product integration, and everyday interaction, the space strengthens Birds’ identity while elevating the experience for clients and employees alike.
“We are in the business of making people feel great, and everything about the William Cannon location exudes that energy.”
— Michael Portman, Co-Founder, Birds Barbershop
Brand becomes experiential when identity is designed to be lived, not displayed.
The William Cannon location transforms a previously neutral storefront into a fully immersive brand moment—one that balances familiarity with evolution. By aligning spatial design, product integration, and everyday interaction, the space strengthens Birds’ identity while elevating the experience for clients and employees alike.
“We are in the business of making people feel great, and everything about the William Cannon location exudes that energy.”
— Michael Portman, Co-Founder, Birds Barbershop