To mark its 25th anniversary, the Royal School of Drawing has unveiled a new visual identity in collaboration with the world-renowned design studio Pentagram. Led by partner Harry Pearce and his team, the project visually embodies the school's values of creativity, generosity, openness, and the timelessness of drawing.
Founded in 2000 by King Charles III and artist Catherine Goodman, the Royal Drawing School is a world-renowned institution specializing in observational drawing education, offering a wide range of training for beginners and professionals. This independent, non-profit institution operates on the philosophy that drawing is a fundamental tool for seeing, thinking, and expressing.
In developing its new identity, Pentagram began with a simple sans-serif letterform, then hand-sketched it to create a custom wordmark with sculptural character and subtle flare. This design maintains the structure of a classic grotesque typeface while maintaining a modern, soft feel. This was expanded upon with a custom typeface, which will be used across a variety of media throughout the school.
The visual language is anchored by the work of photographer Laurie Landon-Down. Intimate moments of the creative process, such as ink-stained fingers and focused expressions at the easel, are captured, vividly conveying the school atmosphere.
The 25th anniversary exhibition, "The Power of Drawing," held in conjunction with the rebranding, showcased works by renowned artists such as David Hockney, Es Devlin, Tracey Emin, and Tim Burton, as well as alumni. King Charles himself donated a painting. The exhibition catalogue, featuring fluorescent pink details and a wraparound cover, includes reflections from each artist reflecting on the meaning of their work.
The new identity will be applied across the school's website, marketing materials, signage, and merchandise, and the school plans to strengthen its international presence while maintaining its original mission. This project is recognized as an example of design meeting a meaningful purpose to deliver a strong visual and cultural message.
More and Sources
