
ST. ALOYSIUS | ENVIRONMENTAL GRAPHIC DESIGN
Environmental graphics and an integrated branding, identity and messaging system reinvigorates St. Aloysius’s historic Bond Hill campus in Cincinnati, Ohio.
GBBN Architects asked us to be a member of the design team for this total renovation of St. Aloysius’ historic campus in Bond Hill. St. Aloysius has been a Cincinnati landmark since the early 1800’s and has a rich history. Today, St. Aloysius offers a network of facilities and services that provide education, counseling, health care and resources for children, adults and families.
Before designing the interior environmental branding, we defined and refined their identity and messaging through an intensive and structured process. First, we preformed leadership interviews and facilitated internal and external design charrettes. Then, we assembled our findings and recommendations into an electronic document for distribution to stakeholders. Finally, we were able to design a fully integrated brand system. We reinvigorated the St. Aloysius corporate identity and message structure and established a cohesive marketing and communications program. Furthermore, our overall message and design strategy correlates with the building architecture both in style and function.
The lobby features a fun and aspirational paper-airplane-inspired sculpture. The colorful, custom sculpture shows a series of airplanes hanging in formation, poised to take off into the world. A life-sized St. Aloysius logo is etched into the windows—in the shadow of the iconic dome that it depicts. The carefully designed logo mark illustrates the range of kids, adults and families that St. Al’s serves.
The St. Aloysius logo is inspired by the signature tower of the original structure. The entire integrated branding system takes its design cues from the ashlar stone design utilized in the original building.
The project features a modular, wall-mounted, graphic system that integrates educational/history/program messaging with interior wayfinding and aspirational images. Our structured, integrated branding system uses physical size and orientation as visual cues to the type of message and audience.
Part of the integrated branding and environmental graphics include tailored messaging for each floor. Area-specific content is matched to appropriate floors based on function and audience. In this case, messaging is catered towards the Students.
An integrated room identification and wayfinding system dovetails into the interior, environmental graphic design.
Messaging is tailored to the floor/area occupants–in this case, the Leadership.