Creativity and connection take shape
Challenge
The creative industry can accelerate significantly when business, education, and science better connect. The Centre of Expertise, Creative Innovation (CoECI) works toward this goal as the premier Dutch impact network for research-driven design. CoECI organizes events, shares knowledge, and brings people together to stimulate innovation. However, despite numerous activities and an extensive network, CoECI’s energy and connecting character weren’t effectively conveyed in their communications.
Result
We delivered a strong integrated identity that aligns with who they are: creative, connecting, transparent, and leading-edge. A comprehensive toolkit with website, content strategy, and visual identity enables them to tell their story effectively.
Impact
A clear identity for a dynamic center
The new design is flexible and ‘bubbly’ – it exudes energy and adapts to whichever domain you’re in on the website. This immediately clarifies where you are and the context, without losing creativity. The visual identity is also suitable for attractively displaying projects, even with limited photography, by using graphic placeholders. We wanted to create an identity that’s not only visually appealing but also practical in use, for every type of content.
Content strategy for a consistent experience
Another challenge for CoECI was the number of communication channels and abundance of information. To bring more focus, we developed a new structure and content strategy for the website. The goal was not to tell everything everywhere, but rather to make visitors curious to click further and discover more. The renewed website is clear and user-friendly, with a coherent flow that connects each target group with relevant information, products, and services.
For businesses, CoECI offers a platform where they can access the center’s knowledge and expertise, and connect with fresh, young talent from education. Researchers get space to make their work visible and bring their ideas to market. And for education, the website provides a platform for student projects while facilitating connections with research and businesses.
Bringing the people behind the network to the forefront
The network of researchers, teachers, and creative professionals is one of CoECI’s greatest assets. But until now, this network wasn’t sufficiently visible. The renewed website brings the people behind the projects to the foreground. We do this through testimonials and by showing personal relationships between projects. We also make contact accessible through clear contact blocks.
To show the dynamics of the projects, we developed a timeline feature that shows how projects grow throughout their duration. Many projects run for multiple years, and the timeline provides space to present these projects in all their phases. We make visible not only the project itself but also the network of people working on it: the involved teacher-researchers, students, and professionals.
Creativity and innovation celebrated
The result is a website and visual identity that truly comes alive. The renewed brand identity is vibrant, flexible, and shows the energy and creativity of CoECI. Visitors immediately feel that there’s a lot happening – from conferences and events to research program results. CoECI now positions itself as the leading center for creative innovation, where business, education, and research meet and build the future together.
The Centre of Expertise, Creative Innovation is a collaboration between Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences (HvA), Inholland University of Applied Sciences, the Rietveld Academy, and the Amsterdam University of the Arts.
Curious about how we can help your organization showcase creativity and innovation in your communications? Contact us, let’s bring your story to life together.
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