Thematic Language

An Ambient Adventure

The goal of every visual initiative is to build a consistent recognition in constituents’ minds. The more that can be said without words, the stronger the associative value. Defining the audience sets up what is an appropriate presentation. If each communication and each publication carries an identifiable graphic approach, unifying images and styles, then the individual applications become like supportive siblings.

Consistency will unite an organization’s visual needs beginning with the logo, carried through collateral, publications, and website. A strong theme becomes evident throughout, but must be flexible—to evolve yet maintain essential components. Rules set up recognizability. From graphics for a museum to industry trade presentations, graphic unity requires uniform application, with a commitment to monitor. Consistency combined with flexibility creates one of marketing’s fanciest dances.

These organizations exemplify a great bend of symbolism, style, consistency, and clarity:

Have Dreams
Although simple, the kite motif is universally understood as a symbol of lofty ideas, goals, and dreams. Have Dreams could hardly do otherwise than build upon this theme, but they infuse it with character. See Review.

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum
A children’s museum should be presented as a fun place. The Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum uses the best of simple visual techniques to convey the special qualities of the location. The pre-visit site helps to make the real visit more fulfilling. See Review.

Metals Service Center Institute
Baloancing classic and traditional with contemporary and engaging, the theme and style build a flexible visual language. See Review.

Visual parameters grow from content categories. A well-developed strong theme will intertwine with evolutionary development. Also see “Theme Opportunities Missed.”

Build visual recognition. Graphic consistency unites an organization’s communication needs beginning with the logo, carried through collateral, publications, and website. A well-developed strong theme will intertwine with evolutionary development.

The Sebastian Study is completed in this blog. If you wish to know if your organization was considered, please visit www.wofw.com and contact me; I will be happy to share the review ranking with you.