Brooklyn Museum Debuts Fresh Brand Identity Cementing Its 200 Years
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
The Brooklyn Museum, a cornerstone of New York City’s cultural landscape, has unveiled a fresh face to mark its bicentennial. The museum’s new visual identity, crafted by the Brooklyn-based design studio Other Means, aims to capture the institution's rich history while embracing its contemporary spirit.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
The design team spent over a year leafing through the museum’s archives, interviewing staff, and gathering feedback from visitors to create a brand that truly resonates. The result is a visual language that nods to the museum’s iconic neoclassical building, designed by McKim, Mead & White, while also reflecting its evolution into a modern, inclusive space.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
“The ways that audiences are engaging with museums are expanding, and we needed a new brand that meets the demands of the day, honors our rich history, and brings a whole lot of energy. And there’s no better time to launch it than our 200th anniversary!” expresses Anne Pasternak, Shelby White and Leon Levy Director of the Brooklyn Museum.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
The new logo is a typographic treat, featuring a modern sans serif font twith two little dots bookending the text. These circles pay homage to the ancient philosophers, playwrights, and poets whose names grace the institution’s facade. It’s a clever wink to the establishment’s roots as a library and its ongoing role as a crossroads of ideas.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
The design takes cue from the museum’s architectural journey, from its neoclassical roots to its gradual embrace of modernism. The palette reflects this too, incorporating shades of gray to echo the limestone exterior, alongside brighter, more playful hues that reflect the energy of Brooklyn itself. This combination of historical and contemporary elements serves as a reminder of the museum’s role as a place where art, education, and ideas intersect.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
The overhaul balances tradition with innovation; the intertwined letters in “Brooklyn Museum” and the flexible use of the dots throughout the branding reflect the museum’s ongoing evolution. The new visual identity cements the museum as a place where ancient history meets the present, offering a space for both reflection and forward-thinking dialogue.
As part of the museum’s 200th anniversary festivities, a new line of merchandise has been launched, showcasing a vibrant palette that captures the essence of Brooklyn’s unique energy. The collection includes colorful Nalgene water bottles, soft cotton t-shirts and sweatshirts, keychains designed to clip onto belt loops, and cozy mugs that nod to the etchings on the museum’s historic limestone facade.
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
Image by Adrianna Glaviano, courtesy of Brooklyn Museum
[via Brooklyn Museum, images courtesy]
