THE CLIENT
Shi’a Research Institute is a leading academic institution dedicated to advancing the scholarly study of Shi’a Islam.
SELECTED SERVICE
THE BRIEF
Refresh Shi’a Research Institute’s brand identity to better reflect the quality and depth of the work they do. Increase brand recognition and authority within their perception.
THE CHALLENGES THEY WERE FACING:
Their brand didn’t match
the depth of their mission
There were 4 main challenges that we wanted to address with a re-brand:
There was a significant gap between how they were being perceived and how they wanted to be seen. Their existing brand identity leaned towards a more corporate, charity/community feel rather than an academic institution with authority and prestige.
The existing logo isolated the other sects of Shi’a Islam, which affected how much they were able to collaborate in their academic landscape.
There was a lack of seamless integration of their existing identity across the website and social media, which made it challenging for their audience to have a consistent experience
What outcome were they
hoping to achieve?
They wanted their new brand to immediately feel strong, reputable and trustworthy, with an obvious relation to all the Shi’a sects. One that would seamlessly and intuitively apply across their website and social media, fostering connection and trust with their audience and collaborators.
THE TASK
What steps did we take to
meet their goals?
We reimagined Shi’a Research Institute’s visual identity from the ground up, undertaking research to better understand the academic landscape, spot any common patterns and identify the gaps they could take up.
We built a strong yet intuitive brand system that communicates the richness of their tradition along with their values of being forward thinking, academic excellence and prestige. We then carried this visual system through the website, social media and marketing material, designed to be strong, trustworthy and reputable at every touchpoint.
THE OUTCOME & IMPACT
What was the end result?
A uniquely Islamic, strong brand identity that feels professional, trustworthy and stands confidently alongside other western institutions. With an intuitive and seamless visual system, Shi’a Research Institute now has a modern brand that their audience can look up to and grow with over time.
