NRK Visual Identity

NRK, the Norwegian Broadcasting Cooperation, is a state owned public broadcaster. It’s mandate is to fulfill democratic, social and cultural purposes; to safeguard freedom of speech, strengthen public dialogue, nurture Norwegian and Samì languages and culture, and reach out to all of Norway.

The project was initiated to serve NRK’s strategic goals, to be “Found, chosen (preferred?) and loved”. The task was to vitalize the identity and equip NRK with effective tools and systems for communicating, publishing and being identified in a complex media landscape.

NRK’s challenge is to stand out and stay relevant despite the fundamental changes due to the digital paradigm: globalization, new competition, emergence of social media, transition from linear publishing to streaming, and the audiences’ new preferences for consummation of content and information.

The solutions presented is facets of a concept that will be in continuous evolution. All channels, platforms and products in NRK’s vast portfolio will eventually be redesigned according to the principles from this concept.

Close integration and a common design philosophy, “Distinct, lively and empathetic”, gave direction and consistency to the joint effort of Anti and NRK’s own design resources. The concept, “Meeting point activates”, refers to the interaction between NRK and its audience. It is the overall premise on which the design is based.

Every identity marker is challenged; form, colour, typography, motion, audio and composition. Everything, except the iconic logo drawn in 1979. Its simple, yet expressive form is as relevant today as it was, it is also the best-known logo in Norway.

With the logo as a starting point, we set out to design new visual tools: brand system; colour program; avariable typeface (with Typotheque); a static, animated and generative pattern; grids for digital and physical applications; motion system. The tools are made to serve all design purposes, they are generic and flexible, and ready to take on tasks we don’t know yet.