Inbetween future and past

Wolfenbüttel’s Herzog August library was founded in 1572. By the 17th century, it was considered the largest library north of the Alps and 8th wonder of the world. The library houses approximately 1 million media units, of which 11.800 are handwritten, 3500 incunabula and more than 400.000 prints published before 1830. The libraries special collections also include several extensive art collections and historical maps, atlases and globes from 16th to 18th century. Gottfried Wilhelm Leibniz and Gotthold Ephraim Lessing were among the many to walk and work in Herzog August library halls.

At present day, Herzog August library is a renowned international research institution. Scientists and scholars from all parts of the world gather here. Its campus is not only suffused with history, there’s also a distinctly cosmopolitan atmosphere to it.

Like other institutions of its kinds the library is now questioning how its cultural heritage can be experienced through possibilities of a globally connected world. Head librarian Peter Burschel has been appointed to direct in 2016. Him and his team are intensely focused on working with these current issues.

We hosted a number of workshop sessions to assist library staff with communications aspects of the process. Based on a sound competitor analysis we developed a brand strategy. A new brand appearance was created upon this strategy. We created significant media and book titles and developed campus grounds as well as a new, more complex library website.

For our Corporate Design we draw upon the great Herzog August Auguster hall’s colouring scheme and contrast it with stronger shades. The new logo breaks up the institutions long name and inserts its letters into a squared grid, that is inspired by the order and structure that are cohesive to a library.

With the implementation of the new Corporate Design onto media we emphasise a contrast between the library’s visually traditional content and modern visual appearance in colouring, typography and layout. In this way we highlight the link Herzog August library makes between tradition, history and modern science.