Ashmolean Museum
In 2008 – 325 years after it first opened its doors – the UK’s oldest museum and the world’s most important University museum was undergoing a £61 million redevelopment which would almost double the gallery space available to display the museum’s world class collections of art and archaeology. This physical transformation was designed to reveal the connections between different cultures and open up the collections for a much broader range of visitors.
Our brief was to create a brand strategy and visual identity that would reflect this ambition, without compromising the Museum’s important role as an academic resource for Oxford University. Working closely with all stakeholders, we devised a single compelling idea: ‘Opening minds to the joy of learning’ with which everyone could engage. For staff, it means ‘we welcome everyone, we’re proud to share our expertise and enthusiasm’. For visitors, the Ashmolean is a fun and rewarding place where learning is neither dry nor stuffy. For Oxford University, it means ‘the Museum is our public face, the doorway into our knowledge and excellence’.
The new visual identity was designed to create a coherent style that linked all the Museum’s activities, while articulating its relationship with the University. The logotype boldly celebrates Museum’s unique and memorable name, the distinctive letter O at the fulcrum of the word opening a ‘window’ on the Ashmolean’s rich and diverse collections.
In November 2009, the Ashmolean re-opened its doors to great critical acclaim and enthusiastic support from visitors to take its position as ‘a world class museum in the heart of England.’
Design by: Ned Campbell