Challenge
York Barbican has become York’s only ‘big stage’ for live music and comedy. Although tickets were consistently selling out and artists continuing to add the venue to their tours, YB had no voice and no means to shout about their offering to the world. The goal was to refresh the brand, re-enforce and define what York Barbican stands for, and project their personality. In turn, challenging larger venues for more established and sought after performers.

Solution
‘Barbican’ is defined as a gateway, this is perfect as the venue neighbours’ York’s historic city walls, and is a stones throw from Fishergate Bar – a 14th century gateway. The gateway is used visually throughout the brand, transforming artist’s tour imagery into part of a consistent, impactful and exciting look and feel that connects with YBs audience.

Deliverables: Brand Creation, Animation, Print & Online Collateral, Social Media Collateral, Internal Communications, Merchandise,  Brand Toolkit

We developed the brand message: ‘Your Gateway to Live Music & Comedy’. ‘Gateway’ derives from York’s historic city walls and gates – perfect for a venue that calls York it’s home. The gateway shape is the key brand device, used to house imagery and become a well-known signature of the venue.

Event posters and social collateral are impactful, clean and characterful, utilising a deep black base colour which works well to contrast imagery – always housed within the gateway shape.