WADAIKO Branding Upgrade

WADAIKO is a taiko drumming club at the Rochester Institute of Technology that was established in 2016. In 2023, I was elected to be the Public Relations Chair of the club, and as part of my duties, me and my assistant developed an upgraded branding system for WADAIKO that keeps the logo in use. Before, the only branding elements we had was a logo and a website. Now, thanks to the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade, the branding is now feels more professional and consistent across different mediums.

WADAIKO Branding Guide

Sample pages from the branding guide I created to help ensure a strong, consistent style that will work for years to come, as well as guidance for branding changes.

Image of a page from a WADAIKO Branding Guide as part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. This page is a chapter page, titled Introduction, with an image of a taiko performance and some cherry blossom flowers.
Image of a page from a WADAIKO Branding Guide as part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. This page showcases the various templates for Instagram.
Image of a page from a WADAIKO Branding Guide as part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. This page showcases how to take product photos and features four examples along with the explanation.
Image of a page from a WADAIKO Branding Guide as part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. This page explains video editing style, showcasing the card style for song introductions.

WADAIKO Flyers

Mockup image of a the back of a flyer after the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. The main title says FAQ and answers a bunch of questions regarding WADAIKO. It also includes socials at the bottom.
Mockup image of a WADAIKO flyer under the upgraded branding. Both the front and back are present.
Mockup image of WADAIKO flyers after the WADAIKO branding upgrade. It's a mixture the flyer from the front and back.

Front design by Olivia Wong

WADAIKO Social Media Posts

Image of an Instagram mockup of an WADAIKO post as part of the WADAIKO branding upgrade. It is a post for the first day of autumn with text saying "Chaning leaves! Mooncakes! Pumpkin spice and everything nice!" An graphic of an anime girl is shown with an excited expression.
Image of an Instagam mockup post as part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade featuring a photograph of Japanese style earnings in packaging. The post is a collaborative post with Yishu club.
Mockup image of a WADAIKO post under the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade informing users of a Spring Fundrasier, with secondary text saying "WADAIKO will be hosting a spring fundraiser on Thursday, April 25th. Come check out our new products!" followed by an image of blocks painted with face on it.
Image of an WADAIKO Instagram post informing about the Imagine RIT Performance, and that it is the last performance featuring Karin, Jessica, and Thomas. The people named are behind the secondary text, but in front of the text of the main title.

Mockup designed by s.salvador / Freepik, modifications done by Thomas Griebel.

WADAIKO YouTube Videos

These performance videos were edited by me, including the addition of closed captioning, to for accessibility, especially with RIT’s NTID. The video thumbnails were also designed by me, highlighting a moment that happened during a recorded performance.

WADAIKO Emails

WADAIKO sends out weekly emails to it’s members to inform members of upcoming practices, events, and more. As part of the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade, our email layout was updated to feel consistent with the rest of the brand.

Screenshot of a long WADAIKO email with the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade. Contents include an upcoming WADAIKO performance, a field trip to PULSE in Cornell, and Club Dues Information.
Screenshot of a short WADAIOK email with the WADAIKO Branding Upgrade informing users what to bring to practice, what they should bring, and club dues information.

Photographs

Various photographs were taken by me during practices, events, and performances as part of the WADAIKO branding upgrade strategy. Some photos feature WADAIKO’s sister club, Yishu Club.

Image of a WADAIKO practice with three taiko players shown playing taiko drums, with two players looking at each other.
Image of taiko drums showing extensive texture. There is one naga and three shime drums. Music sheets appear on the side.
Image of two Chinese Lion Dancers performing on a stage that are part of Yishu club at RIT. One lion is yellow while the other is purple.
Image of a WADAIKO taiko performance at RIT featuring two naga drummers and a shime player in the background.
Image of a WADAIKO performance at RIT with a naga drum on its side and two taiko players on the side, one each side. A taiko player on one end is yelling and about to hit the drum.
Image of a WADAIKO performance at RIT against a green backdrop.
Closeup image of onigri wrapped in plastic wrap
Image of a WADAIKO performing on stage at RIT with an even number of drums.
Closeup image of a tray of Japanese style earrings in packaging.

WADAIKO Website

WADAIKO’s website modifed and updated to fit the the updated branding. The website was designed with CampusGroups that RIT uses to allow clubs to manage their clubs.

Screenshot of WADAIKO's home page, featuring people playing taiko in uniform. The tagline below the title says "Unleash Your Inner Genki!"
Home Page
Screenshot of the Donate Page, featuring instructions for users how to donate to WADAIKO. Step 1 is shown in the screenshot.
Donate Page

Branding Upgrade Results

  • Engagment on social media increased
  • More performance requests both within RIT and the Rochester Community
  • Became more well known throuhgout campus
  • Increase in membership the following years
  • Featured in many student projects
  • Featured on TV in Atlanta, GA

For a branding experiment with WADAIKO, see the WADAIKO Seven Deadly Sins Advertising project.