Since its foundation in 1986, it has been impossible to imagine the Dutch music circuit without EKKO. It is a familiar quirky face on Utrecht’s Weerdsingelcanal, where music lovers have head banged or crowd surfed through the pop venue at least once. Although this energy is still where the foundation of the pop venue lies, it was time for a change.
EKKO
The resonance of EKKO
Shaped by culture
Through collaborative strategic sessions, we questioned, stimulated and prodded to get to the heart of the EKKO energy: a music friend that always stays by your side in Utrecht’s evening and nightlife. A friend that lets you discover new things, confronts you and is there when needed. And above all, knows how to strike the right chord. In short: a music friend that resonates.
Liveliness though resonance
Resonance knows many forms: as sound moves through a space, it will resonate within every thing and everyone it encounters, filling up the room. How would a 2D representation of that look like?
We developed a bespoke tool that makes this resonance visual, creating a living identity. One that moves and grows based on the input it is being fed, thus capturing the energy and vibrance of the venue.
This tool was then distributed among the organisation, where they can use it independently. This way, the content and brand visibility can be tuned at any time, without us being there as an intermediary.
“The tool gives EKKO a way to deploy their identity in a living way. Every expression is different and because you have a lot of options within the tool, you can do innovative things within the design. If there is another new kind of TikTok or Instagram where the public can be found, you can very easily adapt the content to the new platform. Without the user having to really understand it, the tool keeps the brand on track. This way, you create as much freedom and aesthetic diversity as possible without losing the main design.”
– Anton Lamberg, Head of Digital Design at Lava
“It was a beautiful and sometimes confrontational process. Prior to the elaboration of the new identity we tightened the foundation, on which it will be built, together. This yielded many valuable insights that we can use strategically in the fullness of time.”
– Marlies Timmermans, Managing Director of EKKO
