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.

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

— 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.

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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.

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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. ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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.

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

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

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks

ravensbourne college identity scheme johnson banks 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.