PRAIRIE WISE | auxarczen

AT THE HEART OF PRAIRIE WISE

We are a creative branding studio located in Taos, New Mexico dedicated to helping makers, artists, authors, and small businesses express their authentic voice. We blend strategy with handcrafted design, creating identities shaped by honesty, clarity, and a deep sense of place.

WHY PRAIRIE WISE?

Prairie Wise is about knowing when to add something — and when to leave it alone. We design visual identities, books, and brand systems with a sense of place and patience. Our work is shaped by wide spaces, strong lines, and the belief that clarity is more powerful than decoration.

CORE SERVICES

Brand strategy & identity design
Logo creation & visual systems
Website & digital presence design
Book cover & album art
Merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, stickers)
Photography & creative direction

EXAMPLES

All of my book covers arrive about a third of the way through the first reading of the manuscript. This one landed toward the end. Much of the story takes place outdoors and in a small community with a town center where much activity takes place. The idea launched by way of a bird watching all of the goings on from above. Seeing clearly, by accident, the splintered story as a whole, but unable to warn anyone. The author mentioned adding the sun to the front cover, little did he know, he finalized the back cover at the same time.

Logo for winter ski lodge. This logo went through some things. We had a completed logo and at the last minute a change of name for the lodge took place under new ownership. Suddenly the size of the name has doubled and lengthened. We also had a series of sports activities noted with icons along the bottom. So I reversed the balance and went with one icon to accommodate the longer, heavier name. The logo now has a nice balanced diamond shape. Problem solved.

This is the third book cover I have done for Matt. Matt is lovely to work with, he gives me free reign where his covers are concerned and his stories bleed images, lots to work with. I tend to shy away from literal images that reflect the story within. I lean toward keeping the mystery of the story intact. This story was different and screamed for a road cover as it is a road novel. Our house photographer knew exactly where she wanted to capture the images upon finishing the story. Every image in the book and on the cover where taken in one intersection. Turning 360 degrees and snapping away. The result could not have been planned better. Complete inspiration turned reality.

LET'S TALK - CONTACT US ABOUT YOUR NEXT PROJECT AT auxarczen@gmail.com

We are a creative branding studio located in Taos, New Mexico dedicated to helping makers, artists, authors, and small businesses express their authentic voice. We blend strategy with handcrafted design, creating identities shaped by honesty, clarity, and a deep sense of place.

Prairie Wise is about knowing when to add something — and when to leave it alone.​ We design visual identities, books, and brand systems with a sense of place and patience. Our work is shaped by wide spaces, strong lines, and the belief that clarity is more powerful than decoration.

​

Brand strategy & identity design

Logo creation & visual systems

Website & digital presence design

Book cover & album art

Merchandise (T-shirts, mugs, stickers)

Photography & creative direction

EXAMPLES

Prairie Wise is about knowing when to add something — and when to leave it alone. We design visual identities, books, and brand systems with a sense of place and patience. Our work is shaped by wide spaces, strong lines, and the belief that clarity is more powerful than decoration.