Client: Utrecht University
Industry: Academia / Research
Duration: 2 months
Industry: Academia / Research
Duration: 2 months
Scope of Work: Branding development | Visual identity system | Website design assets
Utrecht University launched the Security History Network, an academic platform for sharing research on security history from the 19th century to the present. The platform needed a brand identity that balanced accessibility for a broad audience with the credibility of an academic initiative.
The challenge was to design a visual system that was dynamic enough for diverse content (articles, podcasts, events) while reinforcing the scholarly tone of the project.
To capture this balance, I guided a creative process that combined:
Mood Boards & Brainstorms – explored academic and cultural visual references.
Sketching Sessions – tested compositions blending clarity with symbolic strength.
Collaborative Iteration – worked with the team to refine ideas into a system that could scale across media.
A key design direction was to integrate a symbol that represented both academia and security history, while keeping the identity approachable.
The final identity featured a structured yet dynamic visual system anchored by a central symbol, which reinforced the academic tone while remaining adaptable for digital and print applications. The branding was implemented across the website and supported a range of scholarly initiatives, including blogs, podcasts, and research articles.
Results & Impact
• Delivered a professional identity that gave the platform credibility and visibility in the academic community.
• Enabled seamless use of the brand across digital platforms, supporting collaboration between scholars and wider dissemination of research.
2022
Role: Brand Designer
Contributors
Bryony Harris | Project Manager
