How does The Beauty Shop approach branding for government agencies?

We understand that public-facing work requires both clarity and sensitivity. Our process begins by listening to your goals, understanding stakeholder priorities, and aligning communication with agency values. We translate this insight into design systems and messaging that express integrity, transparency, and accessibility.

Do you follow accessibility standards for public sector websites?

Yes. Every site we design meets or exceeds WCAG 2.2 Section 508 compliance requirements. Our accessibility and inclusion practices include screen reader compatibility, color legibility, and thoughtful user testing to ensure equal access for all residents.

Can you help with brand updates for existing departments or programs?

Absolutely. Many agencies come to us with established branding that needs refinement rather than reinvention. We’ll help strengthen cohesion across programs and materials, building consistency through updated templates, clear typography, and content strategy that aligns your message across channels.

How do you manage multi-stakeholder feedback in public projects?

We’re experienced working with boards, advisory groups, and interdepartmental teams. Our sprint-based process ensures structured opportunities for feedback while maintaining momentum. Clients often describe the experience as collaborative, transparent, and easy to navigate.

Can you work within public procurement guidelines and contracting thresholds?

Yes. We regularly collaborate on sub-$25K direct contracts, public RFPs, and long-term service agreements. Our fractional creative support model also offers flexible engagement for departments seeking incremental improvements throughout the year.

What kinds of government projects has The Beauty Shop supported?

Our portfolio includes websites and brands for cities, regional agencies, and statewide programs focused on conservation, housing, and workforce development. Whether supporting a communications initiative or building a digital resource hub, our work reflects your agency’s mission while serving the public good.

Civic & Municipalities: Designing for clarity, trust, and public connection

The Beauty Shop collaborates with cities, agencies, and public sector organizations to design brands and websites that foster trust and participation. We help your team communicate with transparency, engage residents, and make complex information easy to access. From brand strategy and positioning to accessible website design, our work supports public initiatives that put people at the center of civic engagement.

Selected Projects for Civic and Municipalities Clients

Featured

Youth Mental Health Tracker

This first-of-its-kind platform transforms complex data into insights and gives policymakers and healthcare providers the data they need to drive change and uplift youth mental health and wellbeing.

Port of Portland

Port of Portland’s new brand centers on confluence: the coming together of two rivers and many people, working together toward a vision of shared prosperity.

Hacienda CDC Website

With keen attention on improved accessibility and ease-of-use for all, we worked with Hacienda’s leadership team to design a website that puts community first.

Surgo

We translated Surgo's values and mission into a brand that captures expert innovation, data-focused research, and brilliant change-making at the highest level.

Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District

We built a website that supports CSWCDs mission to improve public conservation knowledge, serving as a high-powered tool for staff to share timely alerts and seasonal posts.

Portland Means Progress

We partnered with Prosper Portland and the Portland Mayor’s Office to create a brand that would motivate companies to make racial inclusion a priority in business.

Disability Rights Oregon

Establishing a new standard of uncompromised accessibility for Disability Rights Oregon with an updated, inclusive brand and feature-rich ADA-compliant website.

How We Collaborate with Civic and Municipality Clients: FAQs

1. How does The Beauty Shop approach government branding and digital design?
We understand the importance of clarity, accountability, and accessibility in public-facing communications. Our process begins with listening to your goals, community needs, and compliance requirements, then translating that understanding into brand and website systems that communicate effectively and stand up to public scrutiny.

2. Are your designs compliant with accessibility standards?
Yes. Our team is trained in WCAG 2.2 and Section 508 Accessibility Compliance standards. Accessibility is integrated from the start, including screen-reader compatibility, keyboard navigation, and color contrast. You can explore more about our website accessibility services in our content strategy and Squarespace development pages.

3. Can you work within public contracting requirements or specific budgets?
Absolutely. The Beauty Shop is a COBID-certified Women Business Enterprise (WBE) and Emerging Small Business (ESB) in Oregon. We regularly collaborate with cities, districts, and agencies through both RFP processes and direct engagements under sub-$25K thresholds. We can also develop incremental project plans that align with fiscal year budgets or phased funding cycles.

4. What types of government clients has your team partnered with?
Our work spans civic and public institutions, including the Port of Portland, Clackamas Soil and Water Conservation District, and the Veterans Memorial Coliseum rebrand. We also partner with organizations advancing public health, sustainability, and regional development to create digital experiences that inform, include, and inspire.

5. How do you ensure large or multi-stakeholder projects stay aligned?
We use a collaborative sprint process that keeps communication open and decisions transparent. Each phase includes checkpoints for review and refinement, ensuring stakeholders remain aligned while maintaining forward momentum. This approach creates efficiency and builds confidence—internally and externally—throughout every stage of your project.

6. Do you offer ongoing creative support after launch?
Yes. We offer fractional creative support for long-term communications, website maintenance, and accessibility audits. This allows public-sector teams to maintain design consistency and functionality without overextending internal resources.

Civic & Municipalities

Civic & Municipalities: Designing for clarity, trust, and public connection

Selected Projects for Civic and Municipalities Clients

How We Collaborate with Civic and Municipality Clients: FAQs

Consumer Brands

Purpose-Driven Brands