Vizcaya Museum Branding Case Study

Evolving a Historic Brand for Today and Tomorrow

Client Background

Vizcaya Museum & Gardens is a National Historic Landmark in Miami, Florida, known for its Italian-style villa, stunning gardens, and rich cultural programming. With more than 300,000 visitors each year, Vizcaya plays a vital role in the city’s cultural life.
As a dynamic organization—with departments ranging from marketing and fundraising to education and community engagement—Vizcaya needed a design partner who could help unify and elevate its brand across every touchpoint.

THE challenge

Over time, Vizcaya’s materials had become inconsistent. Each department had different design needs and audiences, and there was a growing need for a cohesive system that could support:

A modern visual identity that still respected Vizcaya’s history.
Consistent branding across internal teams and external vendors.
High-quality materials for everything from events and programs to campaigns and reports.

OUR ROLE

The Copper Portico has partnered with Vizcaya for several years to help manage and evolve its visual identity. Our work supports multiple departments and keeps the brand consistent, beautiful, and effective.

WHAT WE DELIVERED

→ Updated Brand Guidelines

We refined typography, color, and layout standards to make sure all departments could follow a clear, easy-to-use visual system. These updates created more consistency while leaving room for creativity.

→ Custom Floral Patterns

Inspired by flowers from Vizcaya’s gardens, we created a series of floral patterns used on invitations, menus, and other event materials. These bring a sense of place and elegance to every design.

→ Support Across Departments

We work with nearly every team at Vizcaya to design materials that are both beautiful and strategic:

Marketing: digital campaigns, branded templates, and advertising
Membership: brochures, signage, and outreach tools
Fundraising: event invitations, donor materials, annual reports
Community Programs: bilingual toolkits, flyers, and program guides
Events: programs, menus, posters, and event branding

→ Custom Icons and Signage

To improve visitor navigation, we created a full set of custom icons for use in signage and maps. The icons are clear, welcoming, and aligned with the visual style of the museum.

→ Reports and Presentations

We designed annual reports, strategic documents, and presentation decks that helped Vizcaya communicate impact and vision clearly and professionally.

→ Print and Magazine Ads

We created a variety of print ads that align with Vizcaya’s voice and aesthetics, helping the museum reach broader audiences while maintaining brand integrity.

THE RESULTS

Vizcaya now has a unified visual language that works across all departments. Whether it’s a donor event, a community workshop, or a digital campaign, every piece of design reflects the same high standards and thoughtful approach.

“The Copper Portico consistently delivers creative design that’s both on-brand and on time. What really stood out was their thoughtful guidance during our brand refresh — their idea to introduce new floral patterns based on our gardens was a beautiful way to evolve our identity while staying true to Vizcaya’s spirit.

They have a deep understanding of our brand, so their recommendations are spot on with very little back-and-forth needed. Communication is smooth, turnaround is quick, and they’re always flexible — even when we send things last minute (we’re working on that!). It’s a true partnership we value deeply.”

— Director of Marketing & Communications, Vizcaya Museum & Gardens

Why It Matters

This case is a great example of how consistent, intentional design can support growth, connection, and long-term success. At The Copper Portico, we bring care, creativity, and clarity to every project.