River Oaks Theatre:
Cinema’s Hot Girl Era Begins
Art Deco Never Died,
It Was Just Waiting
for us
We had the honor of rebranding the iconic River Oaks Theatre, a beloved Houston landmark originally opened in 1939. After its closure in 2021, the theatre was revitalized and reopened in 2024 under the ownership of Culinary Khancepts and Star Cinema Grill. The goal was to create a brand identity that honored the theatre’s rich Art Deco history while introducing it to a new generation of filmgoers and event lovers.
We Traced a Legend
(Then Made It Look Sexy)
The centerpiece of the new identity is a custom-drawn illustration of the theatre’s historic marquee—a symbol synonymous with River Oaks. We started by photographing the actual marquee, then traced and refined the design in Adobe Illustrator, tweaking proportions and details to create a stylized yet faithful representation.
From there, we explored several typefaces and color palettes to evoke the elegance of classic cinema and the theatre’s Art Deco roots. After testing different variations, I finalized a logo and brand system that feels both vintage and contemporary, fitting the theatre’s mix of arthouse films, classic cinema, live music, and comedy.
The final brand package reintroduces River Oaks Theatre as a modern-day classic—refined, cinematic, and unmistakably Houston. The marquee-inspired logo anchors the visual identity, supported by a polished Art Deco aesthetic that flows through every touchpoint.
In addition to the branding, I also designed the menu for in-theatre food & drink offerings, plus a set of “Now Showing” and “Coming Soon” stingers used for trailers, social media, and digital signage—adding visual consistency and drama across platforms.
The result? A cohesive, theatrical brand experience worthy of the River Oaks legacy.
Website: theriveroakstheatre.com