Gallery North
Challenge
Gallery North is the latest addition to Newcastle's burgeoning art scene. Sumo were approached to to develop the brand identity and website for this exciting new contemporary space. The space brings two projects together under one roof: Gallery North, which will bring international names to the region as well as showcasing emerging homegrown artists, and Graduate Studios Northumbria, a studio resource created to support and nurture emerging creative talent. The brand needed to work across both venues and as it is a completely new venue, it had to make an impact with local young art-enthusiasts and students.
Idea
We created a bold and confident symbol which is reflective of the modernist architectural style of the gallery building. This incorporates the building itself as part of the brand, helping it stand out from other nearby galleries and arts venues. A unique typeface, also based on the grid-like structure on the exterior of the building, was created to be used as headlines or catalogue titles. The brand is deliberately challenging and contemporary, without taking itself too seriously, to reflect the nature of the work exhibited in the gallery.
Response
Gallery North opened in January 2009, and has successfully developed a loyal audience.