Eaux Claires is a music and arts festival founded by Bon Iver’s Justin Vernon and The National’s Aaron Dessner, held in Eau Claire, Wisconsin. The festival’s visual identity was created by Aaron James Draplin of Draplin Design Co., who developed the logo and wordmark for the inaugural 2015 event.[1]
Design and History
Draplin Design Co. produced the Eaux Claires logo and wordmark as part of a broader branding package for the 2015 festival, which also included backstage passes, wristband designs, wayfinding signage, and Instagram admat designs. The project was directed by Justin Vernon, Michael Brown, and Brian Appel.[1]
Michael Brown, the festival’s creative director, confirmed Draplin’s role in a blog post about the festival guide: “Their distinctive appearance is the work of Draplin Design, who, by the way, worked with Justin and I to create the Eaux Claires logo.”[2] Draplin himself described the project as helping out “as a Bon Iver fan” and praised the Eaux Claires team as “the nicest bunch of Wisconsites you’d ever meet.”[1]
The festival ran from 2015 through 2018, then took an intended one-year hiatus in 2019. A planned 2020 return was halted by the COVID-19 pandemic.[3] In December 2025, the festival’s Instagram account posted a teaser featuring the festival logo superimposed on sheet music for “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” hinting at a return.[4] The festival is scheduled to return July 24-25, 2026, at Carson Park in Eau Claire.[5]
Meaning and Symbolism
The festival’s name derives from the French words for “clear waters,” a reference to the city of Eau Claire, Wisconsin, where the festival is held.[6] The visual identity is described as a “black and white geometric sort of concept, black lines, sharp angles,” a motif that extended beyond the logo to festival signage, such as directional arrows styled to match the mark.[7]
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