Taking on an entire city’s brand

The city of Oslo welcomes a new visual identity with a simplified logo and identity system inspired by the city’s architecture. The comprehensive identity refresh by agency Creuna is intended to better communicate what the city provides to residents and how it works. The city’s logo has been redesigned for the first time since 1924 with a simplified St. Hallvard, the city’s patron saint. The new logo is better suited for small usage and digital use. The overall design system features three basic shapes which were inspired by architectural details found at many of the city’s landmarks like Oslo’s City Hall, the Vigeland Sculpture Park or its industrial Barcode district. Collectively, the shapes cleverly come together to form the word “Oslo”. There is also a new color palette inspired from Oslo’s cityscape, as well as a custom typeface, Oslo Sans. New distinctive illustrations provide another key component to reinforce the overall visual identity and design system. A new set of icons support the new system with a distinctive presence, whether online, in signage or diverse city communications. In short, a smart and beautifully realized identity program. Congratulations to all those involved. We hope to see it all one day soon.