Starduster Lounge
Houston, Texas
Role: Logo, Brand Identity, Illustration, Apparel, Signage
Starduster Lounge is a laid-back neighborhood cocktail spot in the Houston Heights, where West Texas spirit, cosmic vibes, and a touch of Marfa cool come together. I worked closely with the owners to create a retro-inspired logo and brand identity that feels nostalgic, welcoming, and perfectly at home in the lounge’s eclectic, vintage-infused space.
Owners Will Thomas and Benjy Mason were incredibly thoughtful about every detail. Set inside a restored 1940s building, Starduster channels the spirit of 1970s Texas, blending cowboy culture, Tejano rhythms, and counterculture influences. I loved drawing on their influences to bring the brand to life.
The logo began with a custom wordmark, refined with the lettering expertise of Jessica Hische. From there, I created an illustrated mascot that could embody Starduster’s cosmic-meets-Texas personality. We explored plenty of ideas, but kept circling back to the same vision: a rodeo cowgirl riding an owl. It felt weird, memorable, and perfect for the brand. We named her Ethelene, after one of the owner's grandmothers, and she has since become the heart of the identity.
The highlight of the project came after the brand launched, when one of the bartenders got an Ethylene tattoo. As far as design feedback goes, that’s pretty hard to top – definitely one of the proudest moments of my career!