City Branding: Best Practices

Helsinki’s Brand Identity

Previously, Helsinki lacked a unified visual identity, with various departments and projects using their own logos, leading to inconsistency. The only constant element was the city’s coat of arms, though its use was limited by certain complexities. Helsinki's rebranding focused on creating a timeless identity that maintains heritage while appealing to both Finnish residents and international tourists. The new brand style was designed to be adaptive, flexible, and universally appealing.

Oslo’s Brand Identity

Until recently, Oslo spent 40 million Norwegian kroner annually (around $5 million) on agencies updating its logos and brand guidelines, as each organization had its own identity. To streamline the process, a single brand identity was created for Oslo to encompass all subsidiary organizations. The updated logo incorporates the city’s coat of arms, originally designed in the 1930s, with a cleaner, more modern, and digital-friendly design. Creuna agency developed a simple program allowing users to create custom identities without expertise in design software, offering a modular design system that enables unique visual elements for specific purposes.

Looking for Branding Services?

Electric Brand Consultants, a full-service agency, offers extensive experience in territorial branding for neighborhoods and municipalities. Contact us to discuss your project and order a custom brand identity.