Brooks Heating & Air

For this Readers’ Choice ad, the client had a very specific request. He wanted a Fender Stratocaster featured in the design. Music is a big part of his identity, and he has several Stratocasters hanging in his office. The challenge was to honor that request in a way that felt intentional and relevant to an HVAC business, rather than decorative or novelty-driven.

I began by studying the iconic Stratocaster shape to understand what makes it instantly recognizable. Rather than using a literal photograph, I recreated the form to allow more control over color, structure, and meaning. This made it possible to adapt the guitar to the Brooks Heating & Air brand while still respecting the instrument’s familiar silhouette.

From there, the design became an exercise in visual translation. Elements of the guitar were reimagined to connect music and comfort. The control knobs echoed heating and cooling controls. The pickups were styled to resemble air vents. The strings became flowing bands of color that moved from cool blue to warm orange, representing the movement of air and temperature control. Each decision was subtle, but together they created a cohesive metaphor that tied the client’s passion to his business.

The layout remained clean and focused so the concept could be understood quickly. Bold, simple messaging reinforced the celebratory tone of the Readers’ Choice win without competing with the illustration. Contact information and branding were placed with restraint to keep the visual hierarchy clear.

The client immediately connected with the final design. He recognized himself in the ad and appreciated how his personal interest was reflected in a way that still felt professional and on-brand. The result is a custom piece that feels specific, thoughtful, and memorable, while clearly communicating the service behind the business.