EV Branding Case Study | California Mobility Center
The Challenge — Branding an EV Innovation Hub
The California Mobility Center emerged at a pivotal moment in the EV branding landscape, when startups and established manufacturers were racing to define the future of clean mobility. The challenge was to create a comprehensive EV branding system that communicated credibility to industry partners, projected innovation to the public, and remained adaptable for a rapidly evolving market.
The Process — Designing a Scalable EV Brand System
Our design process centered on building an identity system that felt both forward-looking and human. The result included a modern logo, flexible visual identity, user-friendly website, and environmental graphics for CMC’s Sacramento headquarters. The goal was to create an EV brand that embodied progress, collaboration, and momentum—without falling into cold or overly technical tropes.
Logo Exploration & Early Drafts: Concepts That Shaped the Final
Before finalizing the mark, I explored multiple creative directions reflecting different aspects of the California Mobility Center’s mission. Some emphasized technology and precision, while others leaned into sustainability and community. Though not all concepts advanced, each helped refine the EV branding narrative and clarify what the brand should—and shouldn’t—represent.
In the End, Simplicity Wins
We were introducing not just a logo, but a vision of future mobility. Simplicity and clarity became the driving forces of the final design. The mark combines the state’s iconic silhouette with a dynamic radial meter—evoking speedometers, energy dials, and forward momentum. The typography, set in Termina by Fort Foundry, reinforces a modern yet timeless tone that aligns with CMC’s mission.
The Outcome — A Cohesive EV Branding Success
The completed EV branding system gave California Mobility Center a professional and scalable identity that positioned it as a credible voice in the electric vehicle sector. From logo to web to physical space, every touchpoint reinforces innovation, collaboration, and trust. This consistency helped CMC attract attention within the EV ecosystem and stand out in a competitive clean-energy market.
Brand in Motion
The mark translated seamlessly across digital and physical environments. On the website, it scaled cleanly from mobile to widescreen, anchoring the entire digital experience. In physical spaces, the identity extended to signage, environmental graphics, and testing facilities—building a cohesive sense of place that was modern, approachable, and unmistakably forward-looking.
Client: California Mobility Center
Roles: Art Direction, Design, Motion
Agency: 3fold
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