www.balefireblades.com

Balefire Blades is the company I cofounded and manage with the acclaimed swordsmith Chris Adams. Chris initially asked me to help him create a brand identity, and to build a simple website to encourage commissions.

The idea for the aesthetic was to bring an aspect of high fantasy back to the historical fencing world. As a historical fencer myself, I found little inspiration in the prevailing black-and-red sports theming of the available brands, and wanted Balefire Blades to grab audiences' attention by taking them back to the reason they started the sport: to feel like a hero.

I built the brand and website around this idea, employing Tolkien-inspired fonts and decorations, as well as moody outdoor photos and short pieces of fiction for each bespoke piece in the portfolio. I wanted readers to feel like they were embarking on an adventure, and being asked to choose their weapon.

As the business grew, so did the website, with the addition of a webshop, and additional services. In 2024 I redesigned it with the same fantasy aesthetic, but a streamlined user experience, helping would-be sword wielders to quickly access the service they need.