Studio Ongarato imbues Judith Neilson Institute of Journalism and Ideas with strong visual identity which transcends borders

Studio Ongarato has partnered with the new Judith Neilson Institute of Journalism and Ideas to create a strong visual identity which reflects the Institute’s ambition to be one of the leading journalism institutes in the world.

Founded in November 2018 by leading philanthropist Judith Neilson, the Institute’s vision is to support and celebrate quality journalism in Australia and internationally through education, grants and by hosting lively events on the big issues of the day.

Tasked with designing the logo and signage for the new Institute, Studio Ongarato created a unique brandmark with a strong visual impact, reflecting the international ambitions of its founder and patron Judith Neilson.

“In designing the concept, we sought to echo the unique, innovative and aspiring aims of the Institute to be a serious player in the national and international journalism landscape,” said Fabio Ongarato, Creative Director of Studio Ongarato.

“With a strong symbol motif forming the centrepiece of the brand, the new identity seeks to represent both the global context and a ‘solar’ element, capturing the shared universal experiences in the brand and its ability to operate across the world, in any language and beyond borders,” Ongarato continued.

Situated in Sydney’s Chippendale, the headquarters for the Judith Neilson Institute of Journalism and Ideas is housed in the only three storey building in the area on a dominant corner position.

Drawing inspiration from the blue and white heritage enamel sign on the existing building, the vocal blue signage and unique brandmark by Studio Ongarato strongly positions the Institute as a landmark for the Chippendale and broader community. The studio worked for the first time alongside architectural studio Tzannes in bringing the brandmark to life across the newly refurbished building.

While the Institute will be headquartered in Sydney it will aim to conduct many of its activities around Australia and internationally.

“We wanted to the brand identity to be instantly recognisable, a visual trademark which everyone will recognise regardless of location,” said patron and founder Judith Neilson.

This is the second project Judith Neilson has collaborated on with Studio Ongarato, a multi-disciplinary design studio that Ongarato heads up with Co-Founder and Director Ronnen Goren. The first being Phoenix, an art gallery and performance space in inner-Sydney designed by Durbach Block Jaggers and John Wardle Architects, which is due to open in late 2019.

ABOUT JUDITH NEILSON INSTITUTE OF JOURNALISM AND IDEAS

Judith Neilson is an Australian philanthropist, best-known for building one of the world’s most significant collections of Chinese contemporary art which is displayed at her White Rabbit Gallery in Sydney. She recently opened a state-of-the-art storage facility – Dangrove – in Sydney’s Alexandria to house her collection. Judith Neilson maintains a long-standing interest in architecture and a range of humanitarian causes. She has endowed a Chair in Architecture at the University of New South Wales (UNSW) which leads research into innovative housing solutions for people displaced by natural disasters and conflict. The aim of this research is to meet immediate needs, but also to translate that knowledge into creating affordable housing solutions in urban environments around the world. In 2017 she created the Judith Neilson Chair in Contemporary Art at the University of New South Wales and a Scholarship in Contemporary Art at the University of Sydney. She is also a Patron of Anti-Slavery Australia. In 2016 her charitable work and contribution to the arts were recognised by her appointment as a Member of the Order of Australia (AM) and in 2018 she was awarded an honorary doctorate by the UNSW in recognition of her philanthropy and role in furthering knowledge of contemporary art.