ICYE, a global federation based in Berlin and with a presence in 41 countries, approached me with a mission: to create a visual identity that would work across diverse cultures while being simple and impactful.
The federation needed a branding solution that could unify their international network while accommodating the varying realities and resources of their local members.
Understanding these needs. The design had to be straightforward yet striking, providing a cohesive colour palette, clear font choices, and versatile templates that could be easily adapted by members in different regions.
I conducted research with federation members to understand their needs and perspectives, especially since their logo had remained unchanged for around 30 years and held significant sentimental value for many.
Based on this, I refined their visual branding and created a fresh, modern look that authentically showcased their desired identity.
ICYE’s unique map projection
Inspired by the Werner projection, a pseudoconic equal-area map, the intention behind the ICYE map is to display all continents in a unified global view, adjusting Oceania to reflect the ICYE’s commitment to a global community and to avoid a Eurocentric perspective.
South-up map orientation as a statement
Positioning the map with the south facing up is a deliberate statement. ICYE in that way wants to challenge existing power imbalances, address biases and encourage critical thinking to promote solidarity and equal partnerships.
Introducing new icons and selecting a fresh colour palette to position the federation as a vibrant, youth-focused organisation while maintaining its institutional character.
Additionally, I considered the practical aspects of production and the need for adaptability to new tools like Canva, ensuring that the visual style would be easy to implement and modify as needed. This approach not only streamlined the creation process for ICYE but also empowered their local teams to maintain a consistent and professional brand presence across various platforms and media.
Empowering a global federation with a user-friendly, ready-to-use visual identity.
Empowering a global federation with a user-friendly, ready-to-use visual identity.
