Black background with white contour lines forming abstract topographic map patterns.
Black T-shirt with colorful floral design and text, reading 'The VVC,' 'Salida,' 'Since 1909'.
Stack of business cards for 50 West Productions with black and white design, featuring contact information for Dave Curtis, including phone number, email, website, and social media icons.

Welcome to Poahtree

A MOUNTAINBORN DESIGN STUDIO

Text graphic with a literary quote about haikus, featuring words 'POAH'S HAIKU' and a poetic phrase about tree dreams, puppies on a hovercraft, and storytelling.
Photo of a young woman sitting cross-legged on a couch, smiling and working on a laptop.
Graphic with text 'FIND OUT BELOW' and two downward arrows, one on each side of the text.

STRENGTH, STABILITY, FLEXIBILITY & ACCEPTANCE
We can all be like the tree.

At Poahtree, small business owners, creative entrepreneurs, and marketing teams are supported in bringing ideas to life through branding, design, and creative production. Each visual journey is rooted in collaboration, creativity, and compassion; core values that help shape each project.

The studio provides thoughtful visual identity design, professional consulting, and hands-on production guidance, drawing on over 20 years of real-world experience from concept to completion.

The outcome? Design that feels aligned, looks polished, and empowers clients to share their story with clarity and confidence.

Outline drawing of a potted plant with multiple leaves
  • Dark blue folder with gold embossed logo of mountain peaks and the words 'True Fiduciary Financial Advisors'.
  • Flyer about tech troubles and solutions, featuring text and QR codes, with blue and orange color scheme on an orange background.
  • Steaming coffee mug with logo of Lake Oasis in Pocono, PA, featuring trees, a dock, and mountains, placed on a wooden surface outdoors.
Browse Designs Here

  • “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 people constantly compliment, and played a key role in bringing my vision to life. He was incredibly patient, offered multiple options, welcomed feedback, and never hesitated with revisions. John helped me see that refining a brand is a journey. His thoughtful, iterative process showed how much he cared about understanding me and what 50West stands for. He also produced and installed our window decals at both locations. The glass office door still draws compliments. John is a true creative gem in this community. I can’t recommend him enough."

    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 design and 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

  • “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’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 highly 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 had the pleasure of working 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 McCloud | Owner
    Backcountry Cannabis - BackCountryCannabis.com

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

Man sitting on a dirt trail in a mountainous landscape, holding binoculars, wearing sunglasses, a pink hat, orange jacket, and brown pants, next to a wooden sign that reads 'Milner Pass 11.4 MI'.

I’m so glad you made it, welcome to Poahtree. A mountainborn design studio formed through time, patience and love. This is a curated collection of branding, graphic design, and other creative play I’ve had the honor of contributing to during my 20-year journey as a designer and creative professional. I hope we get the chance to meet each other.

My path has taken me from the tree-lined charm of Long Island, New York to the snow-capped mountains of Colorado. I’ve enjoyed designing everything from award-winning publications and retail displays for global brands to large-scale packaging systems and signage solutions for emerging industries. Each step shaped not only my craft but my character.

Living above 7,000 feet in Salida, Colorado, I spend my days designing with intention and living with purpose, alongside my wife, our two adventure pups, and two curious cats. Poahtree is more than a studio name, it’s a reflection of everything I’ve learned, lived, and continue to grow. I love the present moment, and I am excited for what the future holds. Let’s create something meaningful together.

Compassion creates connection, agency empowers action, and clarity reveals direction.