University of Suffolk rebrand wins Transform Europe Award

We’re proud to announce that our rebrand of the University of Suffolk has been celebrated as an outstanding piece of work, winning recognition at the prestigious European Transform Awards as one of the best identities in Europe and the best in education. This recognition solidifies our belief that a bold, forward-thinking identity can be instrumental in shaping perceptions, especially for a modern, progressive institution like the University of Suffolk.

The University of Suffolk, one of the newest universities in the UK, tasked us with creating a brand that would reflect their newfound independence and status after gaining University Title. Their core proposition—a new university for a changing world—became central to our approach. We set out to design an identity that captured the essence of change, which has always been a theme at the heart of the university’s mission.

Following extensive consultations with stakeholders, we developed a bold and flexible identity system that could accommodate the many faces of the university. A key element of the new design is a forward-facing angle, representing progressive change and subtly referencing the university’s location in the Southeast of England. This angular design, combined with a modern palette of yellow, grey, and white, brought a fresh, non-traditional feel to the brand—yellow being a color closely associated with Suffolk itself.

The typography was also modernized, moving away from the old Helvetica-based identity to the sleek, contemporary Graphik by Commercial Type, which provided a bold and confident visual language. The result was an identity that felt not only dynamic but also adaptable for everything from recruitment campaigns to wayfinding across the campus.

Our work for the University of Suffolk was not just about creating a visual overhaul—it was about positioning the university as a key player in both local and international education markets. The brand now appeals to a global audience, resonating with students far beyond the UK, while still maintaining strong local ties.

We’re honored that the European Transform Awards recognised the University of Suffolk rebrand as one of the best in education marketing. It’s a testament to the power of a strong, thoughtful identity to drive engagement and growth for educational institutions.