Hi! I’m John Takacs.
Brand & Graphic Designer Behind Poahtree.

A man in outdoor gear, wearing sunglasses and a cap, standing next to a wooden sign that reads 'OIL MAROON PASS' in a field of yellow flowers with mountains in the background.

Welcome. Thank you for taking a moment to get to know Poahtree; along with the designer, creative partner, and entrepreneur who brings this collection to life. This site is a curated look at the branding, design, and production projects I’ve had the honor to be a part of during my diverse creative career. I’d like to share a little bit more about this journey.

My creative path began in 2003 on Long Island, NY and grew roots in New York City’s fast-paced design scene. I eventually made my way West to the Flatirons of Boulder, Colorado, where the natural world helped shape a more grounded, intuitive creative process. Along the way, I’ve created in design studios, production houses, and commercial signage industries, learning the language of print, packaging, and creative production through every layer.

In 2009, I returned to Long Island for a five-year chapter designing award-winning publications on the North Fork. That stretch led to a fast-paced role in visual displays and retail graphics, producing large-format designs for brands like Puma, Coach, and Bloomingdale’s. I didn’t know it at the time, but that return to New York would change everything; it’s where I met Meredith, now my wife and fellow adventurer.

In 2014, the journey continued West to the high mountain valley of Salida, Colorado; an inspiring place to plant new roots. Over the following years, creative direction was shaped within a 25-acre cannabis campus featuring greenhouses, extraction facilities, and a tissue culture lab. It became a proving ground for true brand building; applying years of design and creative technique across packaging, marketing, signage, and retail, as a family of integrated brands took shape. That chapter laid the foundation for future growth, leading brand and marketing culture for a regional dental group and expanding into new industries and customer types.

Poahtree is the creative expression of all those chapters. A name with roots in love, play, healing, and growth. A platform for creativity, compassion and building relationships with people who value thoughtful design and meaningful collaboration.

Today, I live, work and play in Salida with Meredith, our two pups (Cally and Joey), and two cats (Talan and Misu). I’m so glad you’re here. Let’s create, together.

A man and woman with two dogs standing on rocky mountain terrain with a scenic mountain range and blue sky in the background.
Graffiti-covered corrugated metal panel with a silhouette of a person holding an umbrella, mountains in the background, and a speech bubble that says, 'NOT ALL THOSE WHO WANDER ARE LOST!'

What Else I Like To Do…

When I’m not in the studio, I’m out chasing sunlight and stories.

You can find me on the trail, at camp, floating the river, or carving turns on the slopes; always with my wife and our two pups close by. I’m a regular on the pickleball courts and never far from a good cup of coffee, especially on a quiet snowy day.

Wherever the day takes me, I hope to see you out there.

You’ve heard my story. Now let’s create yours.

Illustration of two dogs, one sitting and one lying down, on a circular surface, with motion lines suggesting speed.

Po•ah•tree

In each instance, Poah serves as a creative and spiritual muse; a guide for this journey of life that we are all on together.

Puppies On A Hovercraft

A whimsical origin and personal phrase with deep connections to my creative journey, lifelong connections and some lost friends that I still adventure with in my dreams.

Pause. Observe. Act. Heal.

A spiritual and mindful practice to life’s happenings and a way to approach creativity.

Poah:

A personal tag, connection to family, nickname and part of my core story.

Tree:

Strength without force.
Stability through stillness.
Flexibility with the wind.
A gesture of acceptance in every fallen leaf.
A tree is a teacher, always holding space.
A symbol of how we endure, evolve, and belong.

Poahtree:

Rooted in the earth, touched by a breeze, vulnerable to the flame, and when felled by an element, carried with the flow of a river, always finding its place back to where it came.

A stylized dark blue silhouette of a hand holding a pine cone with detailed scales.

Logo Symbolism

At the center, the T, a quiet nod to my last name, Takacs, forms the trunk of the tree, anchoring the design in personal truth. Surrounding it, pinecone petals symbolize unfolding wisdom: each layer reflecting growth, consciousness, and the awakening path ahead.

Learn More

  • A brand is how people feel about your business. It’s the emotional connection, the reputation, the story they carry with them after an interaction.

  • An identity is the visual system behind your brand; logo, colors, fonts, and imagery working together to create a recognizable look and feel.

  • A logo is your symbol. It’s the mark people remember—a visual shorthand for everything your brand stands for.

  • “We had an outstanding experience working with John Takacs. From the very beginning, he took the time to understand our vision, values, and goals. He created a logo that truly reflects who we are as an organization—bold, professional, and unique. In addition to the logo, he has designed swag for us on several occasions, including t-shirts, jackets, and many more over the 10 years I have worked with him, all of which were a huge hit with our team and community. His creativity, clear communication, and ability to deliver high-quality work exceeded our expectations. We’re proud to showcase our new branding and would absolutely recommend him to anyone looking for thoughtful, impactful design work.”

    Monica Haskell | Chaffee County DHS | Director

  • “I worked with John Takacs to create packaging designs, designs for vape hardware, in-store marketing, merch, and more for my Colorado brand, ABV Cannabis Co. It was an absolute pleasure working with John. He brings the perfect mix of cannabis industry knowledge, professionalism, attention to detail, and design expertise to the table for an all-encompassing design project like we were working on. John understands the landscape of a highly regulated industry and is able to navigate hurdles with ease and efficiency. There is no question that I would work with him on more projects like these and I highly recommend John for any and all design and brand development needs.”

    Adolphus A. Busch V, CEO | Expert in Elevation
    Kusch Cannabis - kuschcannabis.com | Teal Cannabis - tealcannabis.co | High Five Cannabis - highfivecannabis.co | Formally ABV Cannabis Co of Colorado

  • “Working with John Takacs on the branding for 50West Productions has been one of the most rewarding creative collaborations I've had. John designed all of our branding—including the logo that people constantly compliment—and played a key role in helping bring my vision to life. He was incredibly patient throughout the entire process, giving me multiple options, taking feedback with grace, and never hesitating when I requested revisions. John helped me realize that refining a brand is a journey, and his thoughtful, iterative approach made it clear he genuinely wanted to understand me and what 50West stands for.”

    David Curtis | Owner | 50WestProductions.com

  • “Working with John to rebrand my logo for my beauty studio was such a great experience. He’s incredibly patient, super creative, and really knows his stuff. What I loved most is that he didn’t just design — he also helped me find a signage company that fit my budget without sacrificing quality. Everything came out beautifully! I’ll definitely be working with him again for my upcoming product launch. Highly recommend!”

    Melba Higginson | Eye Coco | EyeCoco.com

  • “I’ve known John for over 15 years and respect him both professionally and personally. John is extremely creative, but what’s most impressive is his level of detail. He is extremely meticulous and organized and always goes above and beyond when showing you options for your project. I’ve used John for personal projects including the branding (logo, business cards, promotional material, website design, signage) for my company as well as my wife’s company. I’ve also recommended John to numerous clients looking for a top-notch graphic designer. He is my go-to person for all design related needs, and I can’t recommend him high enough. John is truly the best!”

    Matthew Scott | Owner | MatthewScottDesigns.com

  • “John is every business owner's dream. He consistently delivers high-quality, timely, and professional work—but what truly sets him apart is his deep care for understanding your business. He doesn’t just design; he reflects, aligns, and elevates your vision. John has been a game-changer for us, and I recommend him without hesitation.”

    Joe Lobeck | Owner | ElementalFive.com

  • “I’ve worked with John on multiple projects from logos, custom flyers, business cards to door lettering designs and every time I’ve been beyond happy with the results. He listens, communicates clearly, and makes the entire process easy and enjoyable. His creativity and attention to detail always show through, and he consistently delivers exactly what I need; usually even better than I imagined. I highly recommend working with John on all your design needs.”

    Parker and Amber McCloud | Owners
    Backcountry Cannabis - BackCountryCannabis.com

“All that is gold does not glitter,
Not all those who wander are lost;
The old that is strong does not wither,
Deep roots are not reached by the frost.”

— J.R.R. Tolkien