Silver Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design · 2022
Bank of England Visual Identity
by Matteo Ruisi and Peter McCabe
- A' Design Award 2022 Silver Winner in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design
- Awarded April 15, 2022
- CLIENT: Bank of England
- Estimated Number of Design Views: 37,563
- Verification code 46EE1A1D69 · Verify this award
About Bank of England Visual Identity
Designing for a central bank means finding a balance between technical and sensitive information, staff-led outputs, engaging general communications, and a series of regulations. This is not simple to achieve and it is based on delicate internal dynamics. The new identity has been developed together with the people who will use it, balancing all the aspects of the communications. It focuses on reaching a wider public with an accessible, relevant, structured, and distinctive approach. These key principles have been used as a design direction for all the visual assets.
Matteo Ruisi's Bank of England Visual Identity represents a masterful synthesis of contemporary brand design principles with the gravitas befitting one of the world's most venerable financial institutions, demonstrating how visual identity systems can simultaneously project stability, trustworthiness, and forward-thinking modernity. The composition achieves remarkable balance between typographic restraint in the header element and the dynamic visual interest generated by the dramatically curved banknote, suggesting an institution that honors its heritage while embracing innovation in both monetary technology and visual communication. The designer's decision to present the currency at an unexpected angle, with its polymer surface catching light to reveal translucent material qualities, transforms what could be a static documentary image into a meditation on the aesthetic sophistication embedded within everyday financial instruments. The chromatic relationship between the cool, authoritative blue ground and the warm coral-pink tones of the note creates visual tension that holds the viewer's attention while the iridescent holographic element introduces an almost mystical quality suggestive of security, authenticity, and technological advancement. The guilloche patterns visible within the note reference centuries of engraving tradition while the overall presentation speaks to contemporary design sensibilities that value negative space, typographic clarity, and photographic excellence. One might observe how the gentle curve of the note suggests both flexibility and resilience, qualities metaphorically aligned with successful financial institutions navigating changing economic landscapes. This work invites contemplation of how visual identity functions not merely as decoration but as meaningful communication, encoding values of trust, heritage, and innovation within carefully orchestrated formal relationships.
Press Kit
- Unique Properties
- The new visual identity for the Bank of England has been designed following four key principles: accessibility, relevance, structure, distinctiveness.
The new logo is designed with a dyslexia friendly type. The Britannia seal is more welcoming and inclusive. Colours are inspired by the notes. Photography depicts the design of the Bank's notes. Charts and diagrams have been created together with wider staff.
Accessibility charities have been consulted at different stages. - Dimensions & Packaging
- Not applicable
- Tags
- Accessible, relevant, structured, distinctive, optimised, simple, balanced
- Production Technology
- Adobe Illustrator, Adobe InDesign, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe After Effects, Frontify.com, HTML and CSS.
- Design Challenge
- The biggest challenge was to define an effective balance between accessible contents, very technical and sensitive information, staff-led outputs, chart design, and engaging general communications.
The project has been entirely managed in-house, to get the opportunity to involve wider staff in delicate aspects of the design process. This approach has guaranteed the simplification and optimisation of the design process. - Project Duration
- The project started in 2020 during the pandemic, and it has been entirely done remotely. This has facilitated interaction with all relevant teams.
It has been published on 3 March 2022. - Operation Flow
- The new visual identity system has been designed in collaboration with Bank of England staff. This has greatly benefited the effectiveness of the design outputs.
Logo, colours, and typography has been designed to be relevant, distinctive, and accessible, especially for colour-blind people and people with dyslexia.
A comprehensive online brand portal has been created for staff and designers to use.
The Bank produces thousands of charts every year, therefore a one-size-fits-all template for the charts has been designed.
A new CSS has been introduced to enhance accessibility. - Research
- The most effective way for the Bank to be understood lies in the accessibility aspect. The content the Bank produces is very technical, and difficult to understand. Sometimes even for a trained audience.
Accessibility experts have been involved at different stages. They've contributed to the definition of a creative strategy and a design solution that improves the readability of the Bank contents, especially regarding charts. - Inspiration
- The Bank of England has recently embraced new forms of communicating. Its vision is to be open, inclusive, and straightforward to reach a wider audience. However, it is hard to conjugate staff-led technical outputs and general communications in a manner that the visuals meet the vision consistently.
To solve that, the visual identity has been brought more in line with the Bank's values, purpose, and mission to get closer to the public it serves. - Image Credits
- Image #2: Illustrator Chris Mitchell
Image #3: Photographer Lee Funnell
Video Credits: Nicholas Flanagan
Copyrights The Governor and Company of the Bank of England. All Rights Reserved. - Patents
- Copyrights belong to The Governor and Company of the Bank of England. All Rights Reserved.
Colors of Bank of England Visual Identity
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G0E23 ShopGrand Interview about Bank of England Visual Identity
In the Bank of England Visual Identity, I focused on making complex, technical information visually accessible without oversimplifying it. Key principles included clarity, hierarchy, and a strong sense of consistency. I used simple, modern design elements to make the data approachable while maintaining the institution's credibility. By prioritizing legibility and using intuitive design choices, I ensured the identity resonated with a broad audience, from industry professionals to the general public, while preserving the institution’s authority and professionalism.
The inclusion of a dyslexia-friendly typeface and an inclusive Britannia seal in the Bank of England Visual Identity was driven by the desire to enhance accessibility and reflect the institution’s commitment to openness. The typeface was chosen to improve readability for a wider audience, including those with dyslexia, while the Britannia seal was redesigned to represent inclusivity, emphasizing unity and the bank’s connection to the diverse public it serves. These choices align with the Bank's goal of being more approachable, transparent, and responsive to all individuals, regardless of background or ability.
Remote collaboration during the pandemic played a key role in shaping the Bank of England Visual Identity. By working entirely online, I was able to engage with a wide range of staff across different departments. This facilitated their input, especially in designing charts and ensuring accessibility, which enriched the design process and helped make the final identity both relevant and inclusive. The collaborative approach was integral to creating a design that truly represented the Bank's values and mission.
The Bank of England Visual Identity draws from the historical elements of banknotes by using colors that echo the legacy of British currency. These colors were updated to fit a more contemporary aesthetic while maintaining the institution's gravitas. The result is a design that honors the bank’s long-standing history while enhancing readability and digital accessibility. By retaining the connection to banknotes, the design reinforces the bank's identity while embracing modern needs.
Consulting with accessibility charities was crucial in shaping the Bank of England Visual Identity. Their input highlighted the need for clear, legible charts and technical communications. We focused on simplifying data presentation, using high-contrast colors, clearer fonts, and more intuitive layouts to enhance readability. This ensured the design was not only visually appealing but also accessible to a broader audience, reflecting the bank's commitment to inclusivity.
The development of the one-size-fits-all chart template for the Bank of England involved balancing technical precision with public comprehension. We streamlined chart structures for consistency and clarity, ensuring data accuracy while making them more approachable. The design incorporated easy-to-read fonts, color contrasts for visibility, and intuitive layouts, helping to present complex data in a way that was both precise and accessible to a broad audience. This approach ensured clarity for technical users while being approachable for the general public.
In developing the Bank of England Visual Identity, I involved staff at various stages of the process to ensure their input shaped the design in a way that resonated with employees, including those without a design background. This approach was crucial for creating a system that balanced technical outputs with public communications. By incorporating staff feedback, we tailored the design to reflect the institution's culture while maintaining consistency and accessibility across all platforms.
The comprehensive online brand portal for the Bank of England Visual Identity serves as a central resource, providing staff and designers with easy access to brand guidelines, templates, and assets. This tool helps ensure design coherence across various applications by offering clear instructions and visual examples, making it easier to adhere to consistent branding practices and maintain the integrity of the identity across different platforms and media.
I envision the Bank of England Visual Identity setting a precedent for financial institutions by demonstrating how accessible design can effectively communicate complex information. Its focus on clarity, inclusivity, and usability can inspire other institutions to prioritize transparency and user-centered design in their communications. The design system encourages a broader industry shift toward making financial information more accessible to diverse audiences, ultimately enhancing engagement and trust.
A key lesson from the Bank of England Visual Identity project is the importance of balancing tradition with modernity. It’s essential to create designs that respect an institution’s legacy while embracing contemporary accessibility and communication needs. Also, involving diverse stakeholders throughout the process ensures the design resonates across departments and with the broader public, creating a system that works across various applications and remains coherent over time.