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The Joslyn, Pentagram

The Joslyn
Pentagram
2024

Branding & Identity 

Custom Typography

Signage & Wayfinding

Web Design

 

The new visual identity for The Joslyn captures the dynamic spirit of creativity and community at the heart of the Museum. Designed by Eddie Opara and team at Pentagram, the system is unique in that it is not built around a single logo, but rather a wordmark set in custom typefaces created exclusively for The Joslyn.

This bespoke typography is the foundation of the brand identity. The Joslyn typefaces encompass several different variations inspired by the structures and collections that comprise the revitalized Museum. The multifaceted approach conveys the breadth and energy of the Museum’s art, architecture and programming. The variations can be used on their own or combined with each other to form a distinct graphic language that is diverse, open and expressive, and always unmistakably The Joslyn.

Eddie Opara, Partner
Ruben Gijselhart, Designer
Issabella Hindley-Cupper, Desiger
Jun Park, Designer
Ken Deegan, Associate Partner
Pedro Mendes, Associate Partner
Saundra Marcel, Strategist

Custom Typography

For the Joslyn Art Museum’s identity, I played a key role in designing three custom typefaces that reflect the architectural styles of its three distinct buildings. The 1931 Joslyn Building, with its Art Deco design, is represented by sharp angles and flares, mirroring the building’s intricate detailing. The Scott Pavilion, designed by Norman Foster in 1994, is captured through rectilinear forms that reflect its modernist structure. The contemporary Hawks Pavilion by Snøhetta is represented by a blend of straight and curved elements, inspired by the building’s connection to the earth, sky, and surrounding landscape.

I led the design of these bespoke typefaces, working to ensure they could be used individually or combined for various applications, from signage to digital platforms. Additionally, the typefaces include glyphs for the Umóⁿhoⁿ (Omaha) language and other Indigenous languages, ensuring the design reflected the Museum’s cultural and community commitment.