ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks



johnson banks recently finished the first stages of a new identity for ravensbourne college.
at the core of the scheme is a flexible logo based on the college's facade by foreign office architects.



---
following text from johnson banks:

we were appointed well over a year ago to help ravensbourne college as it moves later this year
from its current chislehurst home to a landmark new building next to the 02/dome in greenwich.

we were asked to help create a new verbal and visual identity that would reflect the huge change
in emphasis that the new building will bring, one focussed on a digital future and innovation.
the building’s design is dominated by tens of thousands of anodised aluminium tiles that tessellate
across its skin, following a tiling pattern established by roger penrose.





we decided that this visual signature should be included in the visual identity - the beauty of
the tessellating pattern is that it seems to vary continuously, but only emanates from three basic
tile shapes. it seemed an apt educational analogy that from just a few basic shapes,
anything was possible.



from the three tiles, we then incorporated the ravensbourne name, thrown through the tiles at
different angles. we’ve also made it integral to the scheme that there are multiple combinations
of the logo itself.


in total there are six different combinations. we’ve chosen the versions where
the tiles seem in motion (either about to resolve, or about to spin again) so the titles themselves
appear to be ‘stills’ of an animation.







here’s a trial animation of the logo in motion. art directed by johnson banks and animated
by current ravensbourne student, james taylor.



a key part of the scheme is a set of photographs of ravensbourne students,
which incorporate the pattern.



here are the first applications of the scheme including stationery,
a prospectus and website proposal.







the next stages on this project are a vast array of extra applications, and a cohesive approach
to wayfinding within the building itself.  more details can be found on johnson banks blog.
andy db
04.12.10  
10
this is not good.
dave   04.12.10
That is awful! poor ravensbourne.
thewhodio   04.13.10
Actually like the branding and stuff but the logo. oh dear. (me again)
the whodio   04.13.10
I disagree with the above comments. I think that it's a pretty refreshing approach to a college identity, very contemporary in it's feel and appeal and highly flexible. It will take a bit of time for the fuddy-duddies to get used to it but who cares what they think?! They're probably still fawning over crests, shields and Latin mottos.
Cheapseats   04.13.10
As a Ravensbourne Graphic Design student, here is a summary of its reception around college —

- Nice concept, it all makes sense especially when put next to any other university's branding.

- Brand is great, website is a lot better than before, letterheads are great (but if they can't afford the facilities for our new building, how can they afford diecut stationery?)

- Logo is a mess, colours look like sewage, animation and perspective is completely unnecessary; bastardising Akzidenz like that is a joke.

- Raven sbou rne? I'd hate to be an international student now.
Zurich   04.13.10
love it, if anything it creates discussion about the university and acts as a point of interest and interpretation of the schools facilities...

The issue of legibility is really a trade-off for what is an interesting piece.
kg   04.13.10
o dear
Casey Chen   04.13.10
Comments like "o dear", and "this is not good", add absolutely nothing to what is essentially an open WIP, out there unfinished, and inviting discussion. Why is it not good? What don't you like, and how would you do differently?

I have no connection with Johnson Banks, Ravensbourne or the people working on this brief. I just find negative comments without reasoning unfledged and churlish. I guess someone will tell me that it should come as no surprise that comment sections allowing pseudonyms become bastions for the unimaginative.

In my opinion, a brave public WIP like this deserves assiduous discussion.
James Théophane   04.13.10
Ravensbourne students are adverse to it because it does not look like what they have been told is good or bad, similar to the pretentious .....s that make comic sans jokes because they were told in the first year it's bad. Its got everyone talking soooo....

www.ollie-johns.co.uk
Ollie Johns   04.13.10
The Logo really is appalling. It looks like it was either completed on a Friday afternoon or after looking at a blank piece of paper for far to long. The concept is fine but placing the colleges name in pieces within the shapes makes it impossible to read and I can only imagine that perspective students will think twice about attending a design college that uses something like that as a logo.

I am not a Ravensbourne student or member of staff.
Peter   04.17.10

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