Ashfall Studio rebranded blockchain company Aptos to move beyond stereotypical crypto aesthetics, creating a warm, human-centered identity that retains the brand’s recognizable wave symbol. The project refined typography, color, and motion systems within a modular framework, launched at the Aptos Experience in New York. Collaborating with Motto and Evil Martians, Ashfall delivered a scalable, flexible brand ecosystem that balances technical precision with human warmth.
The Brand Identity interviews Motto® Co-founder and COO Ashleigh Hansberger about the studio’s 20-year journey and its philosophy that brand should function as a leadership tool rather than a marketing exercise. Hansberger discusses how aligning brand and culture can drive clarity, cohesion, and growth, sharing insights from Motto®’s transformative rebrand for Goodnotes. The conversation explores leadership, strategy, and the evolving role of brand in shaping company direction.