Dark Sky Wales
Dark Sky Wales is a science and astronomy based education project to inspire young minds across Wales and further afield. With new support from global organisations, Dark Sky Wales has begun its campaign with fresh branding to become a leading UK provider of astronomy based education to schools and the tourism sector.
Logo Design
Dark Sky Wales’ old logo was created with the intention of establishing it’s core subject (astronomy) and it’s location through a mixture of a constellation and ‘Celtic’ typography. It was felt that the logo was not resonating with the schools and pupils Dark Sky Wales works with and opted for a revised logo which used the existing colour palette (as seen in the old website below). The revised branding had to satisfy the slogan ‘inspiring young minds.’
It was specifically requested that the logo could fit alongside council emblems and amplify it’s welsh roots through the use of a dragon. A blue background was used to differentiate DSW’s mark from those of the councils while keeping within the colour palette. It also aids the symbolism of the sky, forming a backdrop for a cluster of stars to represent the subject matter. Finally, a more sustainable and easily read font was used with a title case, using 2 tone blue for English and Welsh translations of the name.
Business Stationery
Website with old branding (2010)
Their current website was built to specification of the original operators, Glamorgan University and features all the information needed for schools to make suitable decisions on which causes to run and includes a booking form to help conversion rates. A new website to represent the new direction and operation is hoped to commence in 2012.
Results
Dark Sky Wales’ fresh branding has satisfied its industry supporters, such as Cassidian (EADs) and Faulkes Telescope Project, that Dark Sky Wales’ mission and objectives of growth is one that is delivered with sincerity and with potential to expand across the UK despite the localised name. Dark Sky Wales will now look to a growth of at least 20% on it’s previous year and expand to 3 core service areas – education, tourism and corporate/team building.
