Creative Direction, Branding and All Things Design
Influential and memorable design thrives in details and intentions. Well researched, well crafted and compelling creative efforts empower individuals & organizations to consistently deliver optimal results. Efficient design practice is a catalyst in the sharing of ideas, experiences, products and service. Make movements, with a brand that both engages and inspires.
Creative Direction, Branding and All Things Design
Influential and memorable design thrives in details and intentions. Well researched, well crafted and compelling creative efforts empower individuals & organizations to consistently deliver optimal results. Efficient design practice is a catalyst in the sharing of ideas, experiences, products and service. Make movements, with a brand that both engages and inspires.
RECENT CASE STUDIES
Branding Inca Social • Latin Kitchen & Craft Beer | Arlington, VA | Vienna, VA
➜ Visual identity development, for one of the DC-metropolitan area’s top restaurants.
Branding Smart Car Buying • Mobile App Design | UX/UI
Branding the Brooklyn Jam | Charity Basketball Tournament | 2017-2018 | Brooklyn, NY
Branding the Glenn Markman Legacy Basketball Tournament
Sponsored by Cushman Wakefield | Barclay’s Center
Rebranding the Washington Commanders | Concept | ©2022–2025
➜ With an underwhelming reception of the brand transition from Washington Football Team ➧ Washington Commanders, in February 2022, specifically, the uninspired feel of the ‘Stencil-W’ primary mark, being the focal point of the new look — I decided to challenge myself, and develop something tailored for a young, up-and-coming talented force in the NFL.
This design is set around a commander’s military patch, a ‘C’ monogram rendered in the shape of the Pentagon, and a ‘W’-monument, affixed to the center of the enclosing pentagon shape, and a few other ‘easter eggs,’ for fans of legacy Washington NFL & more broadly, DC sports & culture, visible all throughout the conceptual branded elements.
February 2025 — I intend to upload a few updates to this Commanders’ concept set, over the coming months, once I refine some of the logos & wordmarks, and apply the updated elements, throughout all of the branded assets.
Editorial, Publications, and Layout | ©2014–2025
➜ Periodicals, books, magazines, event programs, reports, flyers, advertising, and more.
Design Internship • The 2014 Samsung NBA Summer League
➜ July 11–21, 2014 | Las Vegas, NV | The 2014 National Basketball Association Summer League marked the event’s 10th Anniversary, an annual
two-week tournament of 64 individual matchups, showcasing the top new talent in the NBA, prior to the regular season. The specific list of deliverables included event programs, posters, schedules, digital ads, billboards on the Vegas Strip, social media graphics for the NBA’s official Facebook & Twitter following, as well as in-arena, courtside, & Jumbotron digital signage.
Logos, Brandmarks, & Visual Identity Development
➜ A selection of logos created for corporate clients, small business, athletes, sports teams, sports organizations, conference & event branding, services, non-profits, and more.
© 2025 | IanBakar.com
Capabilities
Identity Development
Brands, events, products. Taking your idea and giving it a memorable look and feel, from the logo to the messaging, and brand elements.
Print & Digital Page Layout
Posters, publications, programs, graphics, books, mailers, invites, cards, for print & web.
Illustration
Digital and hand-made imagery for books, magazines, posters, packaging and other collateral. For web and print.
Data Vis. & Infographics
Making your research, statistics, studies and other data aesthetically kind and easy to read.
Web, Mobile & UI
I'm not much of a developer — yet, but I will give life to the aesthetics and translate your brand digitally for your app or website.
Typography
Typesetting for editorial, handlettering, wordmarks and type combination.
Know + Connect
I look forward to working with people, who have stories to tell and ideas to share. I am a graduate of George Mason University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Information Design. I strive to keep learning with every project. I also strive to design for a cause, not for applause. Let's do good work.
Know + Connect
I look forward to working with people, who have stories to tell and ideas to share. I am a graduate of George Mason University, with a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) in Graphic Information Design. I strive to keep learning with every project. I also strive to design for a cause, not for applause. Let's do good work.
WASHINGTON, D.C. METROPOLITAN AREA
So we can work across borders. No matter where you are.
Arlington, VA 22207
What can we work on together?
Questions or comments, iced coffee or looking to have something designed? Get in touch to discuss your prospective project(s).