Sumo

Colchester + Ipswich Museums

Branding

Our branding process is designed specifically for cultural organisations which are trying to engage with and grow their audiences.

Our unique process helps museums, galleries, festivals and arts venues to define their unique voice or personality, what they can be to audiences, and why they should care about it.

We believe that a strong, professional, accessible brand helps attract visitors, funding and prestigious collections.

Key services

Research, strategy & planning
Brand Identity
Design for print
Copywriting
Brand guidelines

Challenge

Colchester Museums Service and Ipswich Museums were two separate museum bodies, with a collective of seven venues in two counties. Each had a diverse collection, appealing to wide audiences, locally and nationally.

When they merged, to create a stronger, more effective museum service they were not only looking for a new brand identity, but also guidance on to what degree their individual venues should be homogeneous or express their different personalities and offers.
Idea

Our big idea was that the museum service is about ‘Endless Possibilities’ – reflecting their diverse collections, varied venues and their engagement with the community.

The plus symbol within the logo was developed to link objects and collections from every venue, showing the diversity and depth the museums and galleries collectively hold. Marketing materials use quirky, split photography, all reflecting the theme of ‘Endless Possibilities’.
Response

The new brand is currently being rolled out across the seven venues and we are building a new website for the museum service, ensuring their brand is cohesive and strong both online and offline.

“Sumo were very receptive to our branding challenge, and really took the time to help us to get everybody in the organisation onboard. Our new brand really joins up the organisation and gives us a great platform for the future.”

Marie Taylor
Marketing Officer, Colchester and Ipswich Museum Service

Colchester + Ipswich Museums

Branding

Key services

Challenge

Idea

Response

Related work