The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity by Rana Galal

The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity by Rana Galal is a highly esteemed winner of the very prestigious 2021 A' Design Award in Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Competition Category.

IronGraphic· 2021

The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity

by Rana Galal

Client: Rana Galal

A' Design Award Winner in Graphic Category

9,140

Verified Award Winner

Verify Award Status for #113295

Visit Site View at A' Design Award Press Release Award Badge

Colors

The Design

About The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity

The Cairo Citadel is a corporate identity created for a historic site in Egypt. The identity is built on the theme of contrast, reflected in the slogan City of Contrast. Black and white are the primary colors, and a secondary color refers to a historic event that took place inside the citadel. The bilingual logo is set in a block form that can be split into two rectangles placed opposite each other, suggesting cultural change. Helvetica Neue was chosen as the main typeface for its simple geometric forms. A signage system was later developed with the same concept.

The Recognition

About the A' Design Award

The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity is an Iron A' Design Award winner, a prestigious recognition granted to good designs that meet the professional and industrial requirements expected from well-designed creations. Iron winners demonstrate great skill, high specialization, expert understanding, and creative capacity of their creators. The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity is expected to be a highly regarded, admired, and cherished creation that is practical and innovative. This Iron A' Design Award-winning design integrates industry best practices and has competent technical characteristics linked with know-how and talent. The Cairo Citadel Corporate Identity is respected for its thoroughness and is designed to provide quality of life improvements that help make the world a better place.

Image Analysis

Color Temperature: NeutralSymmetry: Both DirectionsBackground: Left and Right

Behind the Design

Press Kit

Credits, team members and technical details provided by the designer.

Unique Properties: The Cairo Citadel is the small version of Cairo. And while supporting the use of Arabian design patterns as inspiration. The logo was created in a block form that can be splitter into two rectangles that are always located opposite of each other to represent the changes happening in the culture and place in a n abstract way. Black and white are the primary colors they reflect the brand's slogan which is the City Of Contrast. The secondary color was inspired by the blood created in the Massacre event happened inside the citadel. Lately an experimental sign system was developed with the same concept.
Dimensions & Packaging: The ratio of the logo is 2 squares to 5 squares. Helvetica New was chosen as the main typeface as it is a simple and very modern font. Also, it is somehow geometrical. The curves and angles of the font are similar to the logo type and this creates consistency and harmony.
Tags: Logo, Branding, Signage system, Typography, Visual Identity
Production Technology: Exploring different visual languages to develop a brand identity, logo design and signage system that is inspired from the Egyptian culture and local citizens.
Design Challenge: Showing the soul of the history and comparing it with the modern life was challenging enough. As I was filling the gaps between the present and the past. To bring that history into today's world, needed a deep research into all common aspects. At the research showed that the contrast happening within the culture, gives it its identity, power and balance look and feel in order to make it visually simple and unique. Effort and time helped into completing the puzzle and barring the complexity of the history within the turn up of simple and modern design. This place was the heart of a challengeable creative research.
Research: My research process mainly depends on the related designs within the culture and comparing between the old and modern Egyptian's lifestyle. The goal challenge was to shed the light on the importance of the Citadel that is full of heritage by giving it a powerful and fresh identity that reflects the culture and enhance a person's visit experience. My research journey for this project had to begin with spending a lot of time with the local and international visitors of the Citadel. I also invested many hours visiting and studying the brand's atmosphere, different religions, Islamic designs and guides. People who dedicated their lives to share the history and knowledge. They were the key of this project, as they opened my mind to new doors and visions. They taught me how to explore more by myself also I became a Tour guide assistant at the Cairo Citadel for a day. I took a deep dive into art, communications, history, literature and design. And at the end of this exhausting and exciting journey, I started sketching and building a clear and strong brand.
Inspiration: The Cairo Citadel was the seat of government in Egypt and residence of its rulers for 700 years, From the 13th to the 19th centuries. Developing a visual identity created a huge challenge; to represent the contrast existing inside and outside the place and reflecting it in a fresh and modern look. The exploration and research process led to a rich identity inspired by the citadel's atmosphere and usage. I designed a bilingual logo mark to fit all my target groups and presents it in an opposite way by combining curvy with edgy letter forms and placing them in an opposite layout.
Project Duration: 2019 German University in Cairo, 3 months During the bachelor in Graphic Design Degree.
Operation Flow: It produces a unique experience, where is also make people see the place in a new perspective through a simple and modern corporate identity.
Patents: Copyrights: Rebranding the Cairo Citadel, the city of contrast: Rana Galal
Team Members: none.