Identity + NamingFelles
2023
Bergen Fellesverksted, a makerspace dedicated to repair, reuse, and repurposing, has evolved into a community hub, fostering collaborations with local libraries and cultural events. Seeking to enhance their impact, they partnered with Part to streamline communication, broaden their reach, and attract a more diverse membership base.
Details
Role
Design Lead during internship at Part Design
Typefaces
Reform Bold by Sourcetype
Archivo Medium by Ombibus-Type
Context
Bergen Fellesverksted, a makerspace dedicated to repair, reuse, and repurposing, has evolved into a community hub, fostering collaborations with local libraries and cultural events. Seeking to enhance their impact, they partnered with Part to (1) streamline communication, (2) broaden their reach, and (3) attract a more diverse membership base.
Formerly unbranded, Bergen Fellesverksted primarily engaged local residents and experienced tinkerers, lacking appeal to newcomers. Through our collaboration, we developed a design strategy that included creating a new name and identity, both enthusiastically endorsed by the client (😎). This strategy aims to make the space more inclusive and appealing to those curious about tinkering, particularly younger demographics, individuals from diverse cultural backgrounds, and international students.
Solution
Emphasizing its communal aspect, the organization would gradually start using the name "Felles". With backing, I proposed changing the name to avoid confusion with competing services, and more accurately reflecting the nature of the organization. As mentioned, the makerspace had been increasingly important as a community builder, and is itself a non-profit, collaborative effort.
The identity is inspired by the creative clutter of tools and materials that the makerspace provides. Clutter is also contact and collaboration, reflecting the very nature of a makerspace.
Colors were taken from the locale, and the typography was chosen on the basis of physical reproducibility by use of tools. This brought us to Reform by SourceType. The typeface is based on typography from old agricultural vehicles, and it’s used playfully both in the logo and on posters, placing us squarely between the industrial and the inviting.
Low-effort imagery nakedly depicting conditions in the workshop lower the mental cost of entry by familiarizing potential members with the feel of a workshop environment before they even set foot inside.
Overall, the change aims to make the space more accessible to a wider audience and enhance brand recognition. It aligns more with its role as a warm and inclusive makerspace, while still maintaining its industrial essence
Where during internship at part design,
role lead designer,
focus visual identity, naming
year 2023
typefaces Reform Bold by Sourcetype + Archivo Medium by Omnibus Type