The Challenge: Updating a Classic Without Losing Its Charm

Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg, VA – A Historic Rebrand

During my time as a Graphic Designer and Web Designer/Developer at Metro Nova Creative, I had the opportunity to rebrand and redesign the website and branding assets for Trolley Tours of Fredericksburg, VA. Their previous website was outdated, both in design and functionality, and the owner wanted a fresh look that felt modern while still embracing the historic charm of the business.

Key Concerns:

• An old-fashioned layout that wasn’t user-friendly.

• A large, low-quality paper texture that the owner both loved and disliked.

• A desire to move away from certain outdated design elements while preserving the small-town, rustic feel.

The Solution: A Thoughtful Blend of Old & New

In the redesign, I carefully balanced heritage and modern usability by:

• Introducing a refined, torn-paper section that subtly referenced the previous site’s texture but with a high-quality, intentional design. This nods to historic documents like the Constitution, reinforcing the company’s mission of sharing Fredericksburg’s rich history.

• Overlaying an image of the trolley on this section, creating a visually engaging focal point that ties directly to the company’s brand.

• Updating the site with a cleaner, more structured layout, improving navigation and mobile responsiveness.

This redesign honored the past while embracing the future, ensuring that visitors could enjoy a seamless digital experience without losing the nostalgic charm that makes Trolley Tours so special.

Old Logo

Updated Logo and Branding

Below are a few of my favorite alternative badge styles that I pitched to the client. While they weren’t the final selections (they went with the designs above), they showcase different creative directions that I explored during the design process. Each variation maintains the brand’s essence while offering unique takes on style, composition, and visual impact.

Their website before the redesign

After the website redesign

Disclaimer: This project was created during my time as a Graphic Designer at Metro Nova Creative in Fredericksburg, VA. All work showcased reflects my contributions to the project while employed there. While I both designed and developed this website using WordPress and Elementor, I am no longer responsible for maintaining or updating their current live versions. As a result, any changes made on the live websites after my involvement may not reflect my original design or development work.