One of the directions I explored for Kargen. It didn't make the final cut, but I think it holds up. We decided to go totally different route.

Kargen is an AI that books freight on its own. It reads the email, quotes the load, and books the truck, day or night. The brand had to feel as fast as the product, but calm with the pace.

Sick 🔥

I joined Contra just a week ago and have mostly shared the client branding work I do through Mariya Design.

But I haven't properly introduced the other branch of my practice yet:

Color Systems by Mariya.

It started from something I kept running into in brand and packaging work: a color palette can look beautiful and still be surprisingly difficult to use.

So I began building systems around color instead of collecting combinations.

Today that includes:

/49 Luxury Color Systems Role-led color systems for branding and packaging.

/365 Cultural Color Palettes A growing archive of color directions inspired by places, objects, materials and visual culture around the world.

/Color Systems Workbook A free tool for turning color inspiration into a usable system.

/Color System Sales Kit A practical tool for designers presenting and selling color direction to clients.

I'll share some of the systems, visual references and thinking behind them here over the next few weeks.

If you're a designer, brand strategist or just slightly obsessed with color, this side of my work is probably for you.

Color Systems by Mariya mariya.design/color-systems

Love this strategic approach to color! The 365 cultural color palettes concept sounds incredible. keep going !