Bregenz – giving new life to the existing city trademark

The requirement and the strategic goal are to create a basis for the contemporary communication of the city of Bregenz. The first measure is based on organizing an exchange of ideas between the various users of city communication and working out a series of recommendations for coordinated and clearly structured communication work. Based on analyses and graphic design studies an overhaul and modernisation of the city’s existing image seems to be the best approach. Subtle modernization by redesigning an existing trade mark represents a greater design challenge than creating a new one. The changes are intended to give the logo a contemporary formal quality that equips it for the future, while at the same time relating to the old form. The economic background to this decision lies in the advantages of exploiting the existing logo’s familiarity and avoiding the expense of introducing an entirely new symbol.

The changes are intended to give the logo a contemporary formal quality that equips it for the future, while at the same time relating to the old form. The economic background to this decision lies in the advantages of exploiting the existing logo’s familiarity and avoiding the expense of introducing an entirely new symbol. The characteristic mirrored word-image trade mark, originally created by Nolde Luger, is deliberately retained. The necessary contrast between light and dark is achieved by using two different typefaces: a modern and striking Grotesque and a delicate, playful Antiqua. This effectively develops the logo into a flexible logotype with the appropriate visual impact. The modernized logotype is part of the city’s newly created corporate design program, which is defined and designed in further stages. An entire series of variations on the new image is created for application in very different areas and is documented in a comprehensive corporate design manual. The concept provides design proposals for basic printed and advertising material for the various departments, facilities and institutions of the city of Bregenz.