Architecture Centre Devon & Cornwall Identity and Website

The Architecture Centre Devon and Cornwall (ACD&C) was set up in 2006 as part of the Architecture Centre Network, a network of regional architecture centres, to promote quality in the design of the built environment. From its base in Plymouth, the Centre runs a programme of work to raise public awareness of design issues, and to support local authorities and practitioners through design review, project work, events and exhibitions. They also provide information for commissioners of buildings, local authorities and members of the public looking for support and resource.

Two were asked to design a brand identity for the Centre – to signal its existence, purpose and function with gravitas and credibility. The brand mark we developed in response to the brief, is an abstraction of the letter A (of architecture), constructed from two parts representing Devon and Cornwall. The diagonal lines refer to the space (of our built environment) which is at the heart of ACD&C's purpose and activities.

With grey as the brand's foundation colour – a serious minded colour to reflect the Centre's values of quality and professionalism, we chose a bold yellow as the accent colour to signal the organisations creative aspect, its dynamism and inclusiveness.

With ACD&C in its infancy, building awareness of the centre is of primary importance, so the organisation's acronym and full name accompany the brand mark, set in Helvetica. In time, as the mark achieves familiarity, we hope that the mark can stand on its own – as the chief identifier for the Centre.

On the business cards the 'A' mark was foil blocked, to highlight it as a stamp of quality and emphasise its architectonic character.

Font

Helvetica Neue 75

Foil blocking

Wares Finishers Ltd

Printing

APB Colour Print Ltd

Paper

Think 4 White, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, from Howard Smith Paper

Related projects

Architecture Centre Devon & Cornwall website

I Love Buildings identity