Brighton hears branding options from Crimson, council asks for more review

Brighton City Council members on April 22 reviewed logo and branding proposals created by Crimson, a Detroit-area branding firm engaged through a Michigan Municipal League grant. The presentation — paid for with MML/Ralph C. Wilson Jr. Foundation dollars — laid out three design directions, color palettes and a brand profile Crimson said is rooted in an “explorer” archetype with a halo of “every person.”

The work was introduced by Melissa Pung of the Michigan Municipal League, who described MML’s role: “We're the statewide membership organization that serves all the cities and villages of Michigan,” and by Crimson representatives who told council “a brand is a feeling,” and showed how the concepts would appear on banners, apparel and signage. Crimson emphasized the purpose statement developed with staff: to “cultivate Brighton as a central destination where residents, visitors, and businesses converge to create memories and experience the city's unique blend of charm, vibrancy and expansion of opportunity.”

Why it matters: Council members said the city’s existing "bee" emblems represent heritage they want to preserve while still exploring a modern logo that could help attract visitors and businesses. Council discussed the trade-offs between maintaining a small‑town feel and presenting a vibrantly marketed image that aims to draw regional traffic and economic development.

Key points of the presentation and council reaction: Crimson showed three main directions: (1) a radiating "center-of-everywhere" motif, (2) a colorful, festival-oriented mark and (3) a stylized "B" inspired by the Tridge that could be adapted across applications. Designers explained type choices — they favored sans-serif for legibility online and modern tone — and noted the firm tested applications on hats, shirts and pole banners.

Members raised recurring questions about legacy and use: several council members asked whether the new logo would replace or coexist with the city’s existing bee emblem; Crimson said it considered the bee in early explorations but did not carry it forward because those explorations merely rearranged the old mark without changing sentiment. Councilmembers suggested the city could retain the bee as a heritage emblem for specific uses (manhole covers, public art) while using a new logo for banners and marketing.

Next steps and timeline: Manager Gamolka and staff said the MML grant must be expended by June 30 and that council feedback is due quickly. Council agreed to "marinate" on the proposals and to provide consolidated feedback to staff by the May 13 meeting; staff will compile council direction and ask Crimson to make one more round of refinements. Crimson and MML representatives will provide the council presentation slides and other materials for review.

Quotes limited to meeting speakers: Melissa Pung, Michigan Municipal League: “We're the statewide membership organization that serves all the cities and villages of Michigan.” Will Perry, Crimson (creative director): “A brand is a feeling.”

Ending: Council did not select a final mark at the meeting. Members asked staff to collect comments so Crimson can produce a refined set of options within the grant timeline for a future council decision.