Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
Discover the world of science
How to interest a broad audience in a museum about science? Silo developed a strategy and visual identity for Rijksmuseum Boerhaave that intrigues and invites you to discover.
The impact of science
Not so long ago, amputating a part of the body would often be the only remedy for an infection. Nowadays, we can look inside the human body without cutting. At Rijksmuseum Boerhaave, you experience the impact of significant scientific inventions on our lives today. You discover the anatomical drawings of Vesalius with a clever projection on your bare forearm and look through the very first microscope ‘alongside’ Antoni van Leeuwenhoek.
“This is one of the most important scientific
and medical history collections in the world.”
– The Times , May 10 2013
A clever projection lets you experience for yourself what an arm operation looks like.
17th-century drawing of the anatomical theatre of Leiden University.
Treasure chamber of science and medicine
The collection of Rijksmuseum Boerhaave contains the most important discoveries from Dutch history of science. After a comprehensive overhaul, the museum is no longer organized chronologically but thematically, on topics such as the Golden Age and Health & Disease. The name was also changed: Boerhaave is now a Rijksmuseum – a national museum. This underlines the importance of the museum for all of us.
The logo for Rijksmuseum Boerhaave can change its appearance depending on the theme.
Recognisable and versatile
To distil the brand essence, we answered a range of questions together with the museum. Which story do you want to tell? What’s the target audience, and how do you distinguish yourself? The challenge was propagating the collection’s diversity and the multiplicity of stories while remaining recognisable to the public. Based on the new brand strategy, Silo developed communication tools that fit every phase of the visitor journey.
Visual experiments
The new identity is dynamic and emphasises research and experimentation. The scientific processes and the research attitude of looking differently are conceptualised in visual experiments. The use of 3D software allowed us to cast new light on a variety of themes, transforming, distorting and converting imagery.
"The new logo is solid and playful, features that also matter in science. It shows there is always more to discover, just like in the new museum."
– Dirk van Delft, former Director Rijksmuseum Boerhaave
