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Swansea Bay Records

Swansea Bay Records | 2020

Built on history, shaped by music.


Swansea Bay Records is a vibrant, local record store nestled in the heart of Swansea City Centre. Specializing in high-quality pre-loved records, CDs, and cassette tapes, the store offers music lovers a nostalgic journey into the rich world of vinyl. With a focus on community and discovery, Swansea Bay Records serves as a music hub and gathering place for like-minded individuals who share a passion for physical media.

Services
Logo Design | Branding & Art Direction | UX Design | Motion Design

Sectors
‍Music & Record Stores | Independant Retail | Cultural Regeneration Projects

The Client
‍Gareth Robinson, Swansea Bay Records, Swansea, UK

The Team
‍Ben Ballantyne, Creative Designer & Lead Animator

The Mission

Create a visual identity for a local record store based in the Swansea City Centre, where the love of music is celebrated through physical media.

Every record tells a story.

Swansea Bay Record's Story
Swansea Bay Records needed to establish a presence in Swansea Market with their stall and build a strong online presence through a brand identity that accurately reflected their business. They sought a simple, impactful icon to strengthen their brand image both in-store and across social media.


Target Audience
‍Creating the brand identity for Swansea Bay Records meant balancing vinyl nostalgia with a modern appeal for both older and younger audiences. The target audience includes culturally engaged, design-conscious vinyl collectors, music enthusiasts, and creatives aged 20–45. They value physical music, community, and storytelling, viewing vinyl not just as a product but as a way to connect with music on a deeper, more personal level.

Re-turn of the record

Art Direction
I developed a colour palette of warm, vintage tones paired with classic black and white to evoke nostalgia and timelessness, reinforcing vinyl’s lasting legacy and relevance. I blended classic and modern elements to create an identity that feels both familiar and inviting. A vinyl record icon became the focal point, directly reflecting the store’s core purpose, while clean, modern sans-serif typography ensures clarity, accessibility, and broad appeal.

User Touchpoints
I expanded the logo and developed a comprehensive brand identity system, including custom CD and cassette icons. This system is designed to be seamlessly applied across key touchpoints such as packaging, merchandise, and posters, reinforcing the brand's identity and enhancing its visual presence.

Timeless quality, pre-loved value.

Conceptual Website & Storefront - UX/UI Wireframes
I was later commissioned to develop UX/UI wireframes for their website. The website would feature a clean, minimalist design with retro-inspired graphic elements inspired by the record logo as part of the layout. It would also feature local artists and highlight special events to emphasize community engagement.

The Results‍

View Results ↓


Through the design work and collaborative efforts created, Swansea Bay Records achieved:
‍‍

Growth and expansion.

  • Following the rebrand, the store expanded its stock and successfully transitioned from a market stall into a dedicated physical shop.

Increase in community recognition.

  • Consistent branding helped position Swansea Bay Records as a trusted local hub for music lovers and vinyl culture.

Increase in foot traffic.

  • The refreshed identity established a cohesive and recognisable brand, attracting more visitors, encouraging repeat visits and strengthening Swansea Bay Records engagement with the local music and retail scene.
  • Since moving into their physical shop, they've noticed a growth in sales and engagement with the community of vinyl enthusiasts

Testimonial

View Testimonial ↓

Gareth Robinson - Shop Owner, Swansea Bay Records

"Ben captured the spirit of our business, creating a logo and visual identity that aligns with our values of preserving physical media and connecting music lovers."


"Working with Ben on the branding of Swansea Bay Records was an absolute pleasure. He captured the spirit of our business, creating a logo and visual identity that aligns with our values of preserving physical media and connecting music lovers. His attention to detail and collaborative approach ensured we were always satisfied with the designs. Ben’s professionalism and creativity made the entire process smooth, and we’re thrilled with the outcome. We highly recommend Ben for any design project!"