Microbiology Society

The Society for General Microbiology deemed its existing branding to be outdated and uninspiring. Its aim was to build a strong, lasting and consistent brand that reflected the organisation’s forward-thinking approach to microbiology. We made the brand scalable with a distinct icon to increase legibility. We made the brand mark abstract in design so it wouldn’t disenfranchise any particular audience yet bold and striking so that it would be highly legible for the digital domain. Initial development focused on the circular, soft shape of microbes. This evolved into an M device that subtly hints towards microbiology without being overly explicit.

Developing the brand mark in a series of colour combinations adds flexibility and interest. We replaced the Rotis typeface with DIN Next Pro, a timeless typeface suitable for a professional and educational organization. We provided the organisation with artwork for all print collateral. These templates juxtapose soft, organic shapes with hard, geometric ones. The soft shapes are inspired by the brand mark and are the visual identifiers of microbiology, while the squares and rectangles represent the sharp, analytical minds of the people who work in this domain.

SGM now owns a timeless, professional typeface and a brand mark that will only ever be used on white or light tinted backgrounds. The end result consistently conveys a bright, approachable brand that retains a clean, professional feel. The new branding is fresh, professional and legible, propelling SGM into the digital realm with a brand that truly conveys their core values.