Situation
The Centre of Ceramic Art (CoCA) opened in 2015 and is home to the world's largest collection of British studio ceramics.
Following our successful work with York Museums Trust, a project which united the identities of five previously distinct venues, we were commissioned to create CoCA's brand identity prior to its public opening.
Solution
During our Clarify process we discovered that York is the only complete medieval walled city in England. With its recognisable medieval street pattern, 2,000 years of unbroken urban development, the largest concentration of designated heritage assets in England, and its well preserved archaeological deposits, it is a awe-inspiring place.
By researching York's design history we learned of the city's double-hexagonal stable paviours, known locally as Rosemary Setts, which adorned York's historic 'ginnels' and alley-ways .
The dedication to creating these unique masonry setts, which were produced in the tens of thousands, became a central theme for the identity of CoCA. The hexagonal shape formed the basis of the logo and has since been adopted as a design feature on the exterior of the gallery, with more than 300 double hexagonally shaped tiles fitted to CoCA’s exterior.
Growth
We were commissioned to create the launch campaign for CoCA and the digital initiative to exhibit the entire collection online.
CoCA has grown to become one of the UK's most popular ceramics galleries. It has gained recognition in publications ranging from the New York Times to the Guardian and today contains the work of over 600 artists and in excess of 5,500 objects. CoCA continues to grow through visitors, gifts, bequests and purchases.
