Gibson Mill

Formerly known as the Gibson Manufacturing Company, Gibson Mill in Concord, NC has served as the fabric of the community since 1899 as a leading producer of American-made bedding, sheets and towels shipped all over the world. Today, this space, the historic Cannon Mills Company Plant No. 6, is one of the area’s largest adaptive reuse projects with a strong emphasis on environmental consciousness. It serves as a community-driven gathering spot with a locally sourced food hall, craft breweries, shops, office space and more. Though Gibson Mill’s purpose today has transformed since 1899, the heart of the mill is true to its roots – it serves as a strong stand for innovation, opportunity and tradition.

The inspiration for Gibson Mill’s brand is ingenuity and craftsmanship with a touch of character and charm. The final Gibson Mill brand logo recreates the original three story Gibson Mill based on an image from a 1920’s postcard and includes the newer weaving room building featuring it’s iconic clerestory roof. By creating an illustration of the building into this modern icon alludes to the history and sense of place for commerce and community that the mill represents for the many generations of Concord families. The mill mark is balanced with a slab serif typeface which is a throwback to the old Cannon Mills logotype. The slate blue color is based on one of the many layers of worn paint found around the weaving room poles and the soft red portrays the brick shown throughout the property. The graphic elements, hand drawn illustrations and marks are a nod to old tools, elements, packaging, tags and stamps you’d see around the mill along with on the sheets and towels that were manufactured there. This final Gibson Mill brand exemplifies sustainable placemaking and highlights an adaptive reuse space that is tying in the old with the new, bringing together community and incubating a gathering place for friends, new ideas, relationships and positive growth.

Visit gibsonmill.com

SERVICES
Brand Strategy
Branding
Environmental Graphics
Illustration
Merchandise
Signage System
Web Design & Development

COLLABORATORS
Client: Gibson Mill / Southpaw Investors
Design Director & Designer: Rachel Martin
Brand Messaging: Meg Seitz
Architect: d3 Studio
General Contractor: Liles Construction Co
Signage System Fabrication: Rite Lite

SUSTAINABILITY STATS
Adaptive Reuse
Diverse & Inclusive Workplace
Locally Owned & Operated
Small Business Incubator
Sustainable Print Production