Conveying a relationship!

IAnD Exclusive

By Savitha Hira

Photography: Courtesy Balmond Studio

Read Time: 3 mins

Waterfront ,Sri Lanka 

International architecture + design practice Balmond Studio engages in an elaborate rebranding exercise! IAnD in conversation with Creative Director James Balmond...

Led by the world’s leading thinker on form and structure, Cecil Balmond, the international research-led practice of architects, designers, artists and theoreticians has worked on establishing a standardization procedure spanning the complete spectrum of communication, across all their offices from Europe to South East Asia.

 

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From the logo, visiting cards and stationery, down to standard presentation templates, file naming protocols and digital experience, the studio that is renowned for its dynamic architecture that “engages with inner organizational systems such as algorithms and fractals”, now conveys the essence of its work motto, philosophy, methodology and values with aplomb.

IAnD in conversation with Creative Director James Balmond...

IAnD: What was lacking in the old identity?  

JB: To be perfectly frank, an actual identity. The old logo was simply the Aksidenz Grotesk BQ Condensed typeface. It wasn't unique, own-able, and individual. There was no real illustration of the Balmond Studio design methodology, values and aesthetic.  This had to be conveyed through the new brand for both staff and the wider industry/clients.

 

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IAnD: What were the new considerations and how were they incorporated into the new identity?

JB: Firstly, the brand had to reflect the way we design and the techniques we use – in both, architectural and artistic creative processes.  The second factor was all about putting the concept of change first. Change Dimension is the new brand expression driving everything we do. To ‘change dimension’ is to make a positive, to alter the way of things at any time on any scale, creating new horizons and experiences.  

 

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From a branding perspective, this represented a real challenge. Traditionally branding look and feel is fixed, static - inert. We had to create a look and feel that was, dynamic, energetic - something with infinite iterations.  So we introduced the algorithm - we have developed a graphic based on the classic Klein bottle algorithm. It has a never-ending series of forms, so we can create a unique algorithmic imprint for every piece of communication if we want to. But as each iteration comes from the same algorithmic function, there is an overall branded consistency too. It’s a unique device that stays true to our change dimension philosophy.

Also the 'slash' is a symbol of change. It is another symbol that signifies the changing elements of our business. So there's Balmond/Studio, Balmond/Publishing Balmond/Real Estate etc.

  

Snow Words, Alaska

IAnD: How important is it for a company to re-affirm its identity? 

JB: It's extremely important. To look at this simply, how can I feel a connection and proximity to the company I work for if I have an unclear idea regarding what they are all about? Re-affirming our brand identity means that we fly the flag with clarity - that way everyone can identify with us and what we stand for. And this creates cohesion - keeping everyone on the same page even though they are working in different parts of the world.

Society evolves, technology grows, the industry changes. A brand must change in some ways too to reflect these factors. Re-affirming brand identity creates relevancy and synergy with the cultural zeitgeist.  

 

Portuguese National Pavillion, Lisbon

IAnD: When is the right time for a brand re-shuffle? How does a firm know that it's the right time for a new look?

JB: This will vary from organization to organization. For us it was about rapid growth. New people joining all over the world. We had to ensure they knew who they are working for, how we do things and what we expect from them. The brand inspires and energizes staff - so it is vital.

If one can sense a malaise amongst the staff or a lack of passion for the company, then it is time for a re-brand to energize people. Also if client/industry feedback highlights a certain amount of issues with the messaging/imagery/brand, then it could be time to consider changing things brand-wise and fixing these problems.

 

Serpentine Pavillion, London

IAnD: How do you propose to roll this out - phase-wise? What else?

JB: This is the soft launch. We will ensure synergy across all our platforms and printed/digital communications.

Phase 2 - we will push the 'Change Dimension' thought to the world. To do this, we have created a special piece of communication that has never been done before. It is a real game changer. At the same time, we will take a specific action in the wider world, conveying the Change Dimension thought, whilst simultaneously trying to change the lives/culture/ mentality of a population or community. We will show how change can be a positive force using art/design/aesthetics. We then plan to crowd-source the idea, getting inputs from people about what they feel about the idea - creating bespoke human content.

 

Arcelormittal Orbit, London in collaboration with Anish Kapoor

IAnD: When Balmond Studio was set up in 2011, the Balmond name was a powerful brand in itself.  Consequently the initial 'branding' was perceived from a functional and practical perspective.  Stupendous growth has necessitated the establishment of a brand DNA.  The black (bold, powerful, classic) and yellow (positive, light, warm) letters against a seemingly diamond-like backdrop is in fact the culmination of a meticulously thought-out synergy of everything that Cecil Balmond and his name tag represents – to the extent that the new brand vocab even streamlines Balmond Studio’s tone of voice with invaluable attributes like clarity, brevity, humanity, simplicity and above all poetry and extra-ordinariness that are a potent hallmark of the design practice.