Signature of the initials "NTW"
Most organizations have a gap between who they are and how they show up. Some have outgrown their identity. Others never had one that fit. Closing the gap is what I do. Grafica is the design practice of Neil Wengerd. I create clarity of purpose and clarity of communication for clients who want to be true, be known, and be the standard.
Two Alloy Institute business cards, one showing contact details and the other with a dark background and gold geometric lines and logo.
Open book spread showing a timeline of decades from the 1920s to the 2010s with brief historical notes about Anderson Concrete and features listed for each decade.
Flat lay of PFELD branded packaging including a thank you card with cyclist photo, product tag, business card, orange candies, and crumpled branded tissue paper on a wooden surface.
Person pouring amber Echo Spirits Barrel Proof Rye Whiskey from a bottle into a glass.
Laptop on black tray displaying an art website with the text 'Find art you love. And make it yours.', next to a glass of water.
Two Alloy business cards, one showing contact details for Andrew Clark, the other with a dark background and gold geometric lines and Alloy logo.
Open book spread showing a timeline of decades from the 1920s to 2010s with brief historical notes and featured sections in orange and black text.
Flat lay of PFELD branded packaging materials including tissue paper, business cards, product tag for Merino Shirt, thank you note, and a biker photograph on a wooden surface.
Person pouring amber Echo Spirits barrel proof rye whiskey into a glass.
expertise
I create strategy that clarifies and design that endures.
Clarity
Brand & Design Consulting
Brand Positioning Strategy
Brand Architecture
Brand Storytelling & Messaging
Naming
Creativity
Visual Identity & Logos
Brand Guidelines
Print Communications
Book & Editorial Design
Microsites & Lean Digital Tools
Braided River Brewing Co. logo
Braided river brewing company
First Pitch logo
First pitch start up festival
J.Selders design build interiors logo
J.Selders design build interiors
Hyperlink logo
cybersecurity at columbus state
Frontcourt logo
frontcourt marketing and pr
20th Century Design Market logo
20th century design market at the columbus museum
Hoffmann Electric logo
hoffman electric llc vermont
TAM logo
the annual meeting from drive capital
Braided River Brewing Co. logo
Braided river brewing
Company
First Pitch logo
First pitch start up
festival
J.Selders design build interiors logo
J.Selders design build
interiors
Hyperlink logo
cybersecurity at columbus state
Frontcourt logo
frontcourt marketing
and pr
20th Century Design Market logo
20th century design market at the columbus museum
Hoffmann Electric logo
hoffman electric llc
vermont
TAM logo
the annual meeting from
drive capital
Ethos
High Standards
Clients come to me because there’s a gap between where they are and where they know they can be. They want to raise the bar. High standards are my standard. I take time to do things the right way. Simplicity, curiosity,  and craft sit at the core of the process.
Human Approach
Change can be stressful. Finding clarity and direction can be hard. My approach is senior-led and precise. My attitude is down-to-earth and steady. I run a small, intentional practice, which means your project gets my full attention. Most of my work comes from repeat relationships, and that's on purpose.
Large blue promotional display in a modern lobby reading 'The Annual Meeting - Magnetism isn't luck. It's proximity.' with date and location Sept 13 Columbus OH.
Printed brochures and a giving opportunities card for Columbus State Community College's culinary program, highlighting 'Creating Ohio’s culinary capital' and quality food access.
Blue sign on textured wall reading 'Built on Purpose' with additional text about design, interiors, and build by J Selders.
Outdoor wall displaying colorful posters for plays at The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio including Fat Ham, John Proctor is the Villain, Big Fish, and Eureka Day.
Two hardcover books titled 'Reflections: The American Collection of the Columbus Museum of Art' stacked, one with a green cover and the other orange.
Large blue gradient sign in a lobby reading 'The Annual Meeting, Sept 13, Columbus OH, Magnetism isn't luck. It's proximity.'
Printed materials from Columbus State Community College promoting the new culinary capital and quality food access, featuring text and a gold line drawing of a building.
Navy blue sign on textured wall with text 'Built on Purpose.' and 'JSelders' logo.
Four colorful posters for theater productions at The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio displayed on an outdoor wall.
Process
Most creative processes add. Mine subtracts. Every project begins with understanding what matters and having the discipline to remove what doesn't.
01
Insights
Before anything is made, I seek to understand. I listen, observe, and ask the questions others skip until the whole picture is clear.
02
Clarity
I refine and reduce until only what's essential remains. What’s left is the essence of who you are and what you stand for.
03
Transformation
I execute with intention and restraint so you communicate clearly, beautifully, and authentically in an expression that feels inevitable.
WAYS TO WORK WITH GRAFICA
Creative Guidance
Some decisions are too important to make alone and too nuanced to make by committee. Some engagements need judgment more than execution. You need a sharp outside perspective, someone who has seen this before and will tell you the truth. I'll work through what's blocking you and find the right path forward.
Creative Direction
You have a project that needs dedicated leadership from concept to completion, and you need to know the person leading it will be there at every stage. Decision fatigue is what slows a project down, so I bring fewer options and sharper recommendations along with the right collaborators, and see it through from start to finish.
Creative Partnership
Your team has momentum but needs a stronger creative voice alongside it. I step in hands-on at any point, helping define what success looks like and doing the work to get there.
What clients say
I've led strategy, identity, communications, and editorial work for universities, startups, small businesses, the arts, and nonprofits. What they all have in common is a desire for restraint over noise, clarity over volume, and senior-led creative judgment that stays calm under pressure.
“More than just a design partner, Neil became our trusted ‘design therapist,’ guiding us through the emotional and strategic challenges of rebranding with exceptional care and thoughtfulness. Throughout the process, Neil helped us honor Megen’s past while creating a brand that was streamlined, future-focused, and capable of meeting—and exceeding—our strategic goals.”
Lindsay Selders
Megen Construction
“Neil’s talent is obvious to anyone who has even glanced at his work. What is not as obvious is his boldness and willingness to go far beyond what is necessary just to do a job. He’s creative. But more than that, he’s craftsman. What I have especially enjoyed was his consistent attitude of ‘OK, we can’t do anything about that. Now, what can and should we do to resolve the issue?’ That’s as refreshing as it is unusual.”
CHRISTOPHER DUCKWORTH
Columbus Museum of Art and Brevoort Press
“I can’t recommend Neil strongly enough. He brings creative, fresh and well-thought out ideas to every project that will take your story and brand to new heights, ultimately clarifying and super-charging your value proposition. More than that, he gets us. He does his homework, attends ourproductions, and cares deeply about our success. Before working with Neil, our brand lacked cohesion and meaning. Now, it’s crystal clear.”
Christy Farnbaugh
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio
selected clients
Antioch College
Braided River Brewing Company
Cincinnati Children’s Hospital
Cofactor AI
Columbus College of Art and Design
The Contemporary Theatre of Ohio
Drive Capital
Echo Spirits Distilling Company
J. Selders Design Interiors Build
Ohio Access to Justice Foundation
Pfeld Cycling Garments
UC Berkeley Haas School of Business
The Wellington School
Let’s raise the bar.
Get Started
If it’s time to raise the standard, let’s begin. Whether it’s a new identity, a focused engagement, or a strategic reset, I’d love to hear what you’re building.

Send me a note and tell me where you are (and where you want to go.) We’ll start there.
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