With its rich industrial heritage, wine country roots, and deep community pride, the decision for Works Design Group to open its second location in Hammondsport, New York in 2018 felt like a natural next step on our company’s mission to elevate legacy brands and help local businesses tell their story through thoughtful, strategic design.
Seven years later, that decision has blossomed into something much bigger than a satellite office. As a creative partner to more than 50 businesses and organizations in the Finger Lakes area, Works Design Group has played a quiet but pivotal role in revitalizing the region post-COVID.
Reconnecting & Revitalizing Hometown Businesses in the Finger Lakes
For Works Design Group, opening a Hammondsport studio wasn’t just about growth; it was personal. With deep roots in the area and a passion for local history, our team saw an opportunity to reconnect with hometown businesses that had helped shape the region’s identity for generations. Some of our first collaborations included:
- The Birkett Mills: Established in 1797, Works Design Group helped evolve one of the oldest continuously operating mills in the U.S., giving it a necessary rebrand to ensure its relevance in the modern era.
- Pleasant Valley Winery: Working closely with this #1 U.S. bonded winery, our team introduced fresh, premium branding while honoring the winery’s historic heritage.
- Mercury Aircraft Corp.: Our team helped marry the principles of industrial precision and modern, professional identity during our rebrand for this local aircraft corporation.
- Gold Seal Champagne: Relying on our CPG branding expertise, we assisted in the visual preservation of a storied sparkling wine legacy while giving it a much-needed update for modern champagne drinkers.
- The Glenn H. Curtiss Museum: Our brand experts helped enhance the storytelling for a local museum dedicated to one of aviation’s true pioneers.
Each project combined historical respect with forward-thinking design, showing that legacy doesn’t mean standing still; it means building on what’s been earned.
Supporting a Regional Reawakening: The Finger Lakes Post-COVID
As the world began to reopen after the 2020 pandemic, the Finger Lakes region experienced a resurgence of newly launched businesses, tourism, and refreshed images for long-standing institutions looking to appeal to modern-day customers. Having just settled in the area, our team was perfectly poised to answer the call. Our portfolio quickly expanded to support an incredible range of industries and experiences.
Breweries & Distilleries
Leveraging our CPG know-how and branding expertise, our team helped reimagine the possibilities for several local breweries and distilleries, including:
- Lucky Hare Brewing
- Hamburg Brewing
- Steuben Brewing
- Finger Lakes Distilling
- Birdseye Hollow Farm & Distillery
From label design and product line branding to taproom experiences, we helped these craft beverage brands stand out in an oversaturated market and connect more deeply with both locals and tourists alike.
Cultural & Historic Institutions
Whether for the Saunders Finger Lakes Museum or the Glenn H. Curtiss Museum, our team helped breathe new life into established institutions through cohesive branding evolution and storytelling. Offering our continued creative support, we helped honor local history while introducing fresh messaging to appeal to modern-day visitors.
Local Businesses & Makers
Our branding expertise was called upon to help several other businesses and makers throughout the Finger Lakes region, including:
- Boundary Breaks Winery: Refining the brand of one of the Finger Lakes’ premier Riesling producers.
- Seneca Sunrise Coffee: Helping a small-batch roaster communicate passion and flavor through smart design.
- Knapp & Schlappi Lumber Company: Blending heritage and modernization for an iconic staple business in Penn Yan.
- FLX Works Coworking Space: Branding a modern work hub rooted in regional community and flexibility.
Creating Place, Presence & Pride Through Strategic Design
What made our impact on the Finger Lakes region so successful was our deep understanding of the area, not just as designers, but as locals, collaborators, and champions of the region. Every brand under our care was approached with nuance, thoughtfulness, and creativity that honored both the past and the future.
From the nostalgic curves of a wine label to the bold new identity of a coworking space, our team helped businesses express their voice and elevate their presence, crafting visual identities that resonate with both local audiences and out-of-state visitors.
What’s Next for Works Design Group
Thanks in part to our local branding efforts, the Finger Lakes is no longer a hidden gem—it’s a thriving, year-round destination rich with culture, innovation, and pride. From Hammondsport to Hector, Penn Yan to Watkins Glen, and everywhere in between, the region’s renaissance is real. And the design work guiding that transformation? It’s being done by people who call the Finger Lakes home.
If you’re a Finger Lakes business looking to refine your brand, tell your story more clearly, or simply stand out, Works Design Group is ready to help. Because your brand deserves to be as remarkable as the region it calls home.