hasan & partners Launches Visual Identity to Inspire Finland’s Future for the Museum of Architecture and Design

A new visual identity that speaks directly to Finland's plans for a new Museum of Architecture and Design has launched. The museum — a joint project between The City of Helsinki, The Ministry of Education and Culture, The Design Museum, and The Museum of Finnish Architecture — is set to be an internationally recognized institution and destination for architecture and design lovers that serves as a place for learning and sharing. 

Working closely with the project team for the new museum, the visual identity and the website for the project were created by creative agency hasan & partners. The illustrations were created by graphic designer Anja Reponen. The team’s goal was to create a temporary visual identity, one that would last for the duration of the project development. See the case study here. 

‍"The design process started with a bit of an empty canvas. The whole project team wanted the new visual identity to highlight coming together, sharing and creating together. As the visual identity of the project phase is temporary, we suggested the design communicate that too - the elements you see are what can be seen as building blocks for the future,” says the lead designer from hasan & partners, Diana Sanchez.

“Our goal is simple: to build the world’s leading museum of architecture and design in Finland,” says Project Director, Kaarina Gould. “Nowhere else in the world are design and architecture so embedded in the culture and identity, so we think it’s only natural that the first major new institution for design and architecture of the post-pandemic era will be built here in Helsinki.”

The inspiration for the colors of the design was drawn from the future location of the new museum–Helsinki’s historic seafront in the South Harbour’s Makasiininranta district. The scheme combined the shades of the sea and the cityscape of the Market Square. The idea for the website came from casually browsing books and magazines, which is typical in the world of both architecture and design. 

The illustrations on the website reflect the new museum’s aim to be an open place for locals and visitors of all ages and backgrounds. The sketch-like illustrations speak to the users of the future museum. 

I hope that the illustrations will evoke positive emotions and impressions of the new museum and help define the spirit and profile of the future museum,” says Reponen. “It would be great if the illustrations were to contribute to making the new museum feel personal, meaningful and attractive.”

The website outlines the stages of the new museum’s planning toward the implementation in 2023, pending funding.