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ISM Branding
Perceived as irrelevant, the Society was failing to recruit
new members and existing members were not engaging.
They brought us into change all of that.
Founded in 1882, the Incorporated Society of Musicians (ISM) had become convoluted in structure and tired in operation.
Our first job was to work with their team to transform the way they perceived themselves. We held workshops and informal discussions and brought the whole organisation on the journey, ensuring that staff, volunteers and members felt included and embraced the change.
In the 12 months after re-launch, ISM attracted 632 new members (including 251 recent graduates and students).
The work has catapulted them into industry consciousness, positioning them as the authoritative voice of professional musicians. It has brought a new sense of vigour and rigour to their staff and volunteers, making them advocates for change and ambassadors for the brand.
DBA Design Effectiveness Award Winner
ISM : ISM Branding - ISM Logo
Kim Davenport GeeWe were all a little sceptical; we just wanted our logo tidied up and our magazine to be slicker but now we get it. We constantly think about our brand and personality; it's inseprable from what we do, from the venues we hire for conferences to the way we address our envelopes.
Publications & Events Manager
ISM : ISM Branding - ISM Stationery
The ISM exists for the benefit of Musicians so that’s what the logo expresses: at all levels, the ISM ‘is Musicians’. The visual palette reinforces values of a solid and trustworthy, professional body.
3 slideshow images (click image to view)
ISM : ISM Branding - ISM Branding Slideshow
Early development sketches pinned to the studio walls
ISM : ISM Branding - ISM Handbook 2010
Mike DaviesWhilst avoiding clichés we couldn’t resist some subtle musical references. The ‘points’ of each of the ISM letters sit on a five-bar stave. The typeface used throughout, is Dax, designed by an accomplished professional musician Hans Reichel.
ISM : ISM Branding - ISM Join Us Leaflet
All member-focused communication features close-cropped images of a musician's hands, reinforcing the messages that the Society exisits for the direct benefit of individual members.
