PRESS: Cognoscenti Creative Featured in Mile High CRE

After years of working with both independent hoteliers and legacy hospitality brands throughout Colorado (and beyond!), it was truly an honor to see our work featured in the industry publication, Mile High CRE. 

The article broadly highlighted the shift from branding as an “afterthought” to a foundational element of development strategy, noting the benefits of having a brand firm collaborate with a project’s architects, interior designers, developers and food-and-beverage consultants. Coming from an in-house hospitality background has only reinforced the importance of this approach for our studio, as we holistically consider the day-to-day operations and experiential vision for each concept.

“For developers, branding is becoming less about designing a logo for a finished concept and more about establishing a project’s identity early enough to influence everything from architecture and interiors to guest experience…

Denver-based Cognoscenti Creative is among the firms reflecting that shift. Founded by sisters Carly DeFilippo and Lauren DeFilippo, the studio works with hospitality clients during the early stages of development, helping define brand positioning before visual identity, marketing materials or websites are created.

Rather than beginning with colors or logos, the firm’s process centers on questions about a project’s purpose, target audience and long-term vision. Those conversations often inform subsequent decisions involving messaging, photography, website design and guest-facing experiences.”

We were also thrilled to have our work for the Surf Hotel, Outrider Hotel, Suti & Co. and Madeline featured in the article—and look forward to more bar-setting collaborations with other Colorado hotels, chefs and F&B entrepreneurs!