Brand Identity

Dutch Flamenco Biennial

Flamenco Biënnale Nederland - An event that takes place around various European cities, in the most iconic cultural centres approached us for a rebranding for its 7th edition. The objective was to bring consistency in all of it’s graphic and communication items.

The approach also needed to facilitate viewing and identifying the various events taking place during the festival. Their ambition was to reach out to a larger audience, instead of only the die-hard flamenco lovers. Since this fest was not associated with a conventional view of flamenco, but more about innovation and a new experimental view of the art form, our graphics were created to support this vision. Our design approach brought in a sense of enthusiasm in the dark winter months which is when the event takes place. We elevated the average person above the artists for a more inclusive interaction with the public. The graphics used were inspired by expansion waves produced in Flamenco music, which also represented movement. A colourful friendly palette and strong distinct typography helped in making the event more approachable. To encourage the essence of sharing and doing things together we created wearable merchandise. A distinct visual brand language was extended to the merchandise, improving and personalizing social media communication. This helped the brand gain recognition.

Flamenco Biënnale poster on a street billboard in a dusky city, overlaid with the word ‘Vibrant’
Illuminated Muziekgebouw by the water at night, with the word ‘Urban’ overlaid
Theatre stage with red curtain and audience in the foreground, with the word ‘Connecting’ overlaid
Illuminated theatre façade at night with a festival banner, with the word ‘Nationwide’ overlaid

Colourful communication graphics were placed around the city and each of the locations had a festive feeling with people participating with great energy. Clear typography with a defined hierarchy, and structured use of photography and layouts, was applied to all communication items. This helped establish Flamenco Biënnale Netherlands, as an up-to-date and energetic meeting point for contemporary music rooted in the past, but with a vision of the future. Flamenco Biënnale was also nominated for the 2019 Amsterdamse Prijs Voor De Kunst (city of Amsterdam prize for arts) as a result of this powerful re-branding.

Tall narrow bookmark with yellow and red brush shapes and small photos of flamenco performances
Three programme booklets for the VII Flamenco Biënnale, 18/01–10/02 2019, in red, yellow and teal
Close-up of a teal booklet page headed ‘Colofon’ with a red brush shape, yellow and blue blurred behind
Flamenco Biënnale website shown on laptop and phone, with a dancer and a boxer-like performer on the home page
Open programme spread on coral background: ‘Openbare workshops ritme & dans’ and ‘Openbare masterclasses dans’
Four programme spreads with performer photos, teal bands and pink text columns, including ‘Delirium Tremens 2.0’ and ‘Sierpe’
Programme spread on teal background with a performer in a long coat and text ‘Andrés Marín’ on an orange page
Four programme pages: cover-style ‘Flamenco Biënnale VII’ headings, stage photos and orange text pages on teal and white

Credits

client: Flamenco Biënnale Netherland / head marcom: Marie-Christine Vink / brand identity, graphics, on- & offline applications: Lopezlab Amsterdam, Mariola Lopez Mariño, Anjana Nair / film: Felix Vazquez / animation: Astrid Martirossian