Royal William Yard Festival Branding

Imagine my delight when we were approached to brand the biggest two-day festival Plymouth has ever seen. Big names, big sponsors, a stunning location and a switched-on audience… yep, pretty delighted.

Keen to stay true to the naval and nautical history of the location, we used the International Code of Signals and avoided clichéd symbols of anchors and ship-steering wheels and adapted and modernised an entire graphic language to suit a contemporary festival, enabling it to work in one single colour. This allows it to have its own identity while being adaptable across a range of media.

The marque encompasses the initials from the title ‘R’, ‘W’, ‘Y’ and ‘F’ from our redrawn version of the International Code of Signals alphabet, is incredibly adaptable and reproduces well at all sizes and in one colour. It translates well in digital and print. It is unique, visually arresting and versatile, which will allow a different visual language to be created year after year while keeping the essence of its identity. The number ‘17’ refers to the year (2017) which will be updated each year.

“Highly organised and professional outfit that delivered a detailed, top-end brand and design package for our inaugural Royal William Yard Festival. This was supplemented with real time assistance and guidance throughout the build up and delivery of our event. I cannot recommend Studiose highly enough.”
Craig Roxburgh – Festival Director & Event Manager

Colour coded fencing helped identify the various stages across the large site.
Reusable branded beer mugs.
Colour coded wristbands tell security staff what access the festival visitor has.
Livery and clothing.

Sundowners Stage

Slaughterhouse Stage

Sundeck Stage

Factory Cooperage Stage

Secret Garden Stage

Harbour Stage

A brand manual was created for the festival to use over the coming years to ensure the application of the brand is consistent. The manual explains how to use the marque, the logotype, typography, colour, photography and its stage sub-brands. We also created a handbook for the organisers to promote the festival to potential sponsors, which has become an integral part of their sales pitch.

Project included:

  • Branding and guidelines
  • Web design
  • Web development
  • Illustration
  • Animation
  • Stage banners
  • Heras fencing and way finding
  • Poster and flyer design
  • Social media assets

“Keen to stay true to the naval and nautical history of the location, we used the International Code of Signals and avoided clichéd symbols of anchors and ship-steering wheels.”