Galleria dell'Accademia Rebrand
Indesign, Photoshop, After Effects, Illustrator, Figma
Spring 2022
Advised by Silvia Agozzino
Rebranding Florence's Galleria dell'Accademia to align with contemporary design trends, while still paying homage to the museum’s artwork, architecture, and the iconic David by Michelangelo.
about
the museum
To research and understand the museum, I went to the Galleria dell'Accademia to observe the sculptures, architecture, and artwork.
existing brand identity
The current branding is heavily focused on Michelangelo's David. While the sculpture is iconic and is effective for drawing in visitors, it fails to showcase the museum's full range of offerings. The visual identity, including typography and color, is inconsistent, which hinders the establishment of a strong brand presence.
Process
the symbol
The new logo incorporates David in a more understated and refined manner by framing the iconic figure with the dome of the Galleria, where the statue is located.
Through the combination of the two letters, a sense of fluid harmony is created, symbolizing the interconnectedness of the museum's vast collections and exhibitions.
As a framing device, it allows for flexibility as various artwork can be displayed inside the logo, with certain parts extending beyond the logo to give it dimensionality and life.
As a framing device, it allows for flexibility as various artwork can be displayed inside the logo, with certain parts extending beyond the logo to give it dimensionality and life.
the system
Four main colors are incorporated, each representing the four collections in the museum: sculptures, paintings, musical instruments, and a historical archive.
Marble white
Alabaster white is representative of the white marble that is used for the sculptures in the museum. Marble is often used in Italian architecture and sculpture due to its availability near Carrara, a Tuscan city known for its high-quality marble. Michelangelo used this marble for many of his works, including the David statue.
Alabaster white is representative of the white marble that is used for the sculptures in the museum. Marble is often used in Italian architecture and sculpture due to its availability near Carrara, a Tuscan city known for its high-quality marble. Michelangelo used this marble for many of his works, including the David statue.
Gold
The use of gold for the painting section connects the visual identity to the traditional gold frames and decorative gold leaf gilding used especially in the thirteen to early fifteenth century and as a representation of the divine.
The use of gold for the painting section connects the visual identity to the traditional gold frames and decorative gold leaf gilding used especially in the thirteen to early fifteenth century and as a representation of the divine.
Deep red
Some showcased instruments, such as Amati's cello, Grandi's psaltery, and Stradivari's tenor viola, are typically crafted from woods that exhibit reddish-brown hues. The selection of red as a branding color also evokes a sense of passion, alluding to the emotional impact that music can elicit in individuals.
Some showcased instruments, such as Amati's cello, Grandi's psaltery, and Stradivari's tenor viola, are typically crafted from woods that exhibit reddish-brown hues. The selection of red as a branding color also evokes a sense of passion, alluding to the emotional impact that music can elicit in individuals.
Blue
The final section is the historical archive which primarily features online resources in the Lorenzo Bartolini Archive Inventory which contains notebooks, printed material, and other documents related to the sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini. There is also a vast collection of books dedicated to the art collector and patron Alessandro Kraus in the Accademia. The color blue conveys a sense of knowledge and stability, which are qualities relating to the historical archives.
The final section is the historical archive which primarily features online resources in the Lorenzo Bartolini Archive Inventory which contains notebooks, printed material, and other documents related to the sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini. There is also a vast collection of books dedicated to the art collector and patron Alessandro Kraus in the Accademia. The color blue conveys a sense of knowledge and stability, which are qualities relating to the historical archives.
Source Sans Pro is a legible sans-serif font that contributes to giving the Galleria dell'Accademia a modern and approachable feel. Its range of weights and styles gives a versatility for various applications and the font is highly legible and easy to read.
applications
