Jon Hartman
Founder · Partner · Designer
In their own words
A lot of the glyphs are rooted in connection. The rest of the set speaks more directly to the offering and good times with friends. If a symbol didn’t further that story, it didn’t make the cut.
Where we ultimately landed is a gesture translated into geometry, simple enough to function as pure form, but still emotionally legible.
We’ve seen a major shift in recent years where world class doesn’t have to mean stuffy, inaccessible or gatekept.
For a long time, I’ve felt that design is more than a veneer that you slap on a project at the end, once all the important decisions have been made.
We felt she was a really perfect visual representation of something that was very precious, but also a little silly.
For us, it always starts on the human level, with the people you want to go there, how you want them to feel in our spaces, and what you want them to take away.
We firmly believe that design can be a differentiator, determining a project’s success or failure.
While the space feels incredibly design-forward and thoughtful, it is really all humble materials.
Ownership gives us a bigger voice in the project as a whole. People take you more seriously when you’re taking the risk alongside them.
It had the goal of creating a livable neighbourhood and not just affordable housing – interspersing things like parks, community gardens, playgrounds, food and beverage in addition to job training, senior and education focused elements.
Articles & interviews
- Wunder Werkz brands Close Company, Death & Co’s neighbourhood bar
The Brand Identity features Denver-based studio Wunder Werkz’s branding for Close Company, a new neighbourhood bar concept from Death & Co. The identity draws from pre-digital vernacular design, featuring a custom Wingding-style iconographic typeface and a flexible system that balances warmth, familiarity and precision. The project extends across multiple cities, uniting tactile design with a contemporary hospitality experience.
- Inside the visual world of Semiprecious, the bar co-owned by a design studio
Wunder Werkz has co-founded and designed Semiprecious, a Denver bar that merges hospitality and design under one roof. Led by founder Jon Hartman, the project features a pegasus mascot, bold ox blood and cobalt palette, and a custom script inspired by mid-century cocktail culture. The bar’s identity reflects a balance of playfulness and sophistication, emphasizing community and tactile design in contrast to minimalism dominating the food and drink industry.
- Wunder Werkz Buys Into Semiprecious to Highlight Design's Impact
The article profiles Denver-based studio Wunder Werkz’s deep involvement in the creation of Semiprecious, a new cocktail bar where the studio became co-owners alongside hospitality veterans. Through design-led strategy, sustainable materials, and a cohesive identity system, the project demonstrates how design can drive business value and community engagement. The feature highlights the studio’s philosophy of design as a core business tool rather than surface styling.
- Do Neighbourhood Branding Projects Benefit the Community?
The article explores the complexities of neighbourhood and place branding, focusing on Wunder Werkz’s identity for the Sun Valley neighbourhood in Denver, commissioned by the Denver Housing Authority. It contrasts the studio’s community-driven approach with broader industry challenges, featuring insights from place-branding expert Dr Giannina Warren on ethics and accountability in the field. The piece argues for a more holistic, socially conscious model of branding that prioritises residents over marketing optics.