Vancouver Public Library Foundation

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In 2003, the Vancouver Public Library Foundation requested a new identity for their renewed efforts in fundraising for library services and initiatives.

The Board of the Foundation was dissatisfied with the mark then in use, but was unable to agree on a new design until this was presented. The logo depicts an open book rising above a horizon with the word FOUNDATION reversed out of a black field at the bottom. The upper field can remain empty for single colour work, or be filled with one of the library's three official colours as needed.

Initially, the type was Bodoni Book, matching the library’s logo. This proved difficult to reproduce, the thin serifs disappeared when reversed out of a solid field, and the sharp inside corners suffered from blotting. Substituting Charter provided the missing degree of robustness but was entirely in keeping with the nature of the logo.

The logo found immediate use in stationery and in a print brochure of my design. Centered on the theme of the power of people to make a difference, the brochure needed to be engaging and warm. The budget was severely restricted so I identified candidate photographs already owned by the library, as well as possibilities from istockphoto.com. The photo selections picked up the library colours as well as emphasizing children, older people, and people of different ethnicities. I cropped the pictures to increase drama and accommodate the headlines.

The photos were also used on the Foundation's website which provides more detailed information about the organization and its activities. The strong photographic elements ensure continuity with the print material and the typography is as closely related as possible.

The overall structure of the website, and its individual pages, allow for simplified expansion as required.