BadgeStudio Case Study: College of Charlestown

The College of Charleston, founded in 1770, is one of the oldest institutions in the United States. Its campus is historic, public-facing, and deeply woven into the streets of Charleston, South Carolina. The Department of Public Safety serves this community daily, not just protecting the university, but representing it.

When Officer Walker Chilton and Deputy Chief Myers came to Smith & Warren to discuss their badge project, they weren’t looking for a templated badge style. They were looking for something deeply meaningful. A badge that would reflect the college’s identity, the department’s role on campus and in the community, and the values they live by.

From our first conversation, the direction was clear: this badge needed to tell a story. They walked us through the college’s legacy, shared the symbols that mattered, and gave us the trust to turn their vision into something lasting. At the heart of it all was a single line of scripture: “Here am I. Send me.” For this department, that component became the story that anchored the purpose of their project

This was the kind of project BadgeStudio was made for.

Every custom badge starts with listening.

Officer Chilton and Deputy Chief Myers brought a list of elements and a clear goal—but they also left space for creative input. They loved the shield shape and wanted to build something unique. The conversation revealed their priorities, and we translated those into a visual hierarchy.

• Randolph Hall and the Cistern Yard became the center. These landmarks are more than buildings; they’re the heart of campus.
   
• The Cougar, initially just one symbol among many, gained importance as the project evolved. It needed to feel strong and focused, and we modeled it to reflect that presence.
   
• Spanish moss and brickwork grounded the badge in Charleston. The moss was sculpted based on reference carvings and images. The bricks were shaped with depth and perspective—subtle but exacting.
   
• “Here am I. Send me” was etched near the base, with a clock set to 6:08 as a visual cue to Isaiah 6:8.

The conceptual phase came together quickly. The biggest revisions centered around getting the department name paneling just right and enhancing the Cougar’s detail. From sketches to full-color art to 3D modeling, we protected the badge’s clarity and meaning.

The sculpting process required patience and precision. Each feature had to hold its detail without compromising durability. The brick pattern, moss, and muscle lines in the Cougar pushed our modeling to its limits. But that’s the challenge we embrace. It’s what gives a badge such as this presence and polish.

The final badge captures everything the department hoped for.

Every symbol on this badge earned its place. Together, they form a cohesive design representing history, service, and pride.

“We could not have asked for a better finished product. From the onset, we worked with Erin Bellew from Smith & Warren to create a unique design that depicted the history of our college and the dedication of those who serve our community. We are so thankful for this partnership!”
 — College of Charleston Department of Public Safety

This project wasn’t simply about designing a good-looking badge.  It was creating a badge that would honor the rich history of the college, identify the police department and be worn with incredible pride.

For Officer Walker Chilton, who played a lead role in shaping the badge, this was a career milestone.
“Being a designer of this shield was by far one of my largest achievements in my career thus far. That legacy—over 250 years of tradition—was something we knew had to be represented in our design. We are so thankful for this partnership. History was made.”

At Smith & Warren, this is what we take pride in. The craft. The partnership. The ability to bring meaningful ideas to life with precision and care.

If your department has a story to tell, we’ll help you design the badge to carry it.

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