About THE Museum oF KYIV
The Museum of Kyiv is a state museum with some intriguing history. Founded in 1978, the museum constantly moved from one place to another due to bureaucratic difficulties. Its latest location at Bohdan Khmelnytsky Street was initially designed as an ordinary business center and then donated to the city by a local businessman. That is why the museum does not have the opportunity to show its historical exhibition in all its glory. The building simply does not match the necessary technical requirements to demonstrate most of its precious pieces.
Such circumstances pushed the museum towards a unique format, where historical and modern exhibitions meet in one place.
With the help of a new visual identity, it was important to show that the Museum of Kyiv is not only about history but also about the city's cultural life, modern art, mix of old and new aesthetics.
With the help of a new visual identity, it was important to show that the Museum of Kyiv is not only about history but also about the city's cultural life, modern art, mix of old and new aesthetics.
On the left: inside the Museum of Kyiv, a historical exhibition on the 2nd floor, photo by Nataliia Azarkina. On the right: mindmapping during the discovery stage of the design process.
Concept
Many people think museums are dull and unwelcoming, filled with stern old ladies shushing you. But I wanted to change that perception and highlight that today's museums are vibrant spaces for connecting with others.
I aimed to provide the museum with a renewed image, highlighting its openness and fostering communication. Through playful illustrations and images of historical figures linked to the museum's history, my goal was to evoke a sense of connection and empathy among visitors. The main emphasis on modern communication aims to make the museum experience more engaging and relatable for visitors.
I aimed to provide the museum with a renewed image, highlighting its openness and fostering communication. Through playful illustrations and images of historical figures linked to the museum's history, my goal was to evoke a sense of connection and empathy among visitors. The main emphasis on modern communication aims to make the museum experience more engaging and relatable for visitors.
To establish direct contact between the museum and its visitor, I decided to use the aesthetics of text messengers familiar to all: speech bubbles, text frames, stickers with simple yet eye-catching illustrations.
Logotype
The logo is a monogram created from the initial letters of the museum's name, seamlessly aligning with the formal and conservative style typical of state institutions' communication.
The design also allows for creative interpretation. Some may perceive it as an open book, while others recognize a location map mark. Some even see a shield, symbolizing protection.
Illustrations
Modern communication is unimaginable without stickers and GIFs. As a result, illustrations have become crucial components of the new identity. At times, a single illustration can convey a story more effectively than a hundred words.
About the museum structure
Although the museum is located in the very centre of the city, not so many people know about it. Even fewer people realize that the Museum of Kyiv is not only one building, but an association of 8 different branch museums.
The task was not to develop 8 different logos or one identity for all of the museums, since each branch is unique and deserves its own visual identity. But it was important to show that there are other museums worth visiting: the Hrushevsky Museum, the Museum of Occupation, the Bulgakov Museum, the Sholom-Aleichem Museum and 4 others.
This was achieved by the illustrations representing famous personalities of other museums, the museum map with locations of other museums and an all-museums-in-one ticket.
Thanks for watching!
The project was created in May-June 2020.
Concept and design:
Yulia Stroi
Special thanks to curators:
Alexander Gusakov, Glib Kaporikov & Nonna Starushchenko.
The visual identity was made as a final project during the course on Graphic Design at Projector Creative & Tech Online Institute. The concept was approved and implemented by the Museum in 2021.
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