Shifting brand

PCA is a thriving integrated architecture, interior design and planning firm founded in 1982. Over the last 6 years the Boston firm saw a 30-person increase in staff, an office expansion, and larger projects on the boards. Nearing their 40th anniversary and with a new generation of senior associates in the picture the firm was looking forward to re-visiting their brand and online presence to make sure they reflected the firm they had grown into.


Client:
PCA
Year:
2020
Employees:
70+
Industry:
Architecture
Scope:
Visual identity
Website Design
Print Design
Rendering Art Direction
Signage


Shifting brand

PCA is a thriving integrated architecture, interior design and planning firm founded in 1982. Over the last 6 years the Boston firm saw a 30-person increase in staff, an office expansion, and larger projects on the boards. Nearing their 40th anniversary and with a new generation of senior associates in the picture the firm was looking forward to re-visiting their brand and online presence to make sure they reflected the firm they had grown into.


Client:
PCA
Year:
2020
Employees:
70+
Industry:
Architecture
Scope:
Visual identity
Website Design
Print Design
Rendering Art Direction
Signage


Not Afraid of Color

The 87% employee-owned firm is welcoming and nurturing, reflecting a humanist tradition. Their thriving office culture with strong company values and focus on collaboration has long been reflected in their love for color and uncomplicated attitude. It was a natural step to crystallise these qualities in their new identity, pairing it with a clear sense of solid expertise and professionalism.

Systematic Play

PCA’s graphic brand system is based on a square grid that functions as a flexible playing field for bold blocks of color.

For the business card design we are using blocks of color to create card designs that are calm and clear on their own, but playful and active when seen in combination with each other. This concept is carried through the entire brand, demonstrating varying levels of activeness to the different materials.

One family

When a brand has been around for almost 40 years it’s important to acknowledge the elements that stand strong and evolve them. PCA’s widely recognised logo was using a stencil font and it seemed naturally to build the new typography and logo around this concept. We chose a sans serif typeface – Halvar Mittelschrift – that combines flawless engineering with a love for detail that adds a human touch as well as personality. Its stencil version was used for the PCA logo as well as selected elements to activate the brand’s typography.

Digital first

Naturally the PCA website was at the centre of our design explorations as it’s their most impactful tool to communicate to prospective employees, clients and the media. Their old site lacked visual impact and a streamlined UX which we solved with a modular design approach and crystal clear information architecture. Architectural website are often very minimalist and monochrome in their design which makes PCA clearly stand out with their bold use of colors.

One Voice

When a brand has grown organically over a long period of time its visual voice often becomes fuzzy and unclear. Therefore one of the main tasks in a re-brand is to align all elements of design and communications, to send a consistent overall message. Client touchpoints like RFP and presentation templates were important pieces of the new visual identity for PCA.

Play

We are always interested in building brand systems that are not only nice to look at when a brand launches but, that also have the potential to evolve and inspire for many years to come. PCA’s team is known to be creative problem solvers with a curiosity and drive for innovation. Their visual identity reflects this spirit with a flexibility that allows PCA’s communications to explore a full range of voice – from loud to quiet, from energetic to calm.

Play

We are always interested in building brand systems that are not only nice to look at when a brand launches but, that also have the potential to evolve and inspire for many years to come. PCA’s team is known to be creative problem solvers with a curiosity and drive for innovation. Their visual identity reflects this spirit with a flexibility that allows PCA’s communications to explore a full range of voice – from loud to quiet, from energetic to calm.

Guiding the team

A company’s in-house communications team needs to be able to work with the new brand and achieve great results without too much effort. PCA’s compact brand system guide spells out some simple ground rules that staff can take as a base for their brand designs. It also lists samples of the quality and of design the company is looking for.

"We believe in the power of a humanist, value-based approach and creative partnerships with our clients. The right design is a catalyst for positive experiences. Great design boosts the health, resilience and social impact of neighborhoods. At PCA, sustainable design is infused in our process, adding asset value for clients while providing a healthier future for the community."

PCA – Architecture, Interiors + Planning

"We believe in the power of a humanist, value-based approach and creative partnerships with our clients. The right design is a catalyst for positive experiences. Great design boosts the health, resilience and social impact of neighborhoods. At PCA, sustainable design is infused in our process, adding asset value for clients while providing a healthier future for the community."

PCA – Architecture, Interiors + Planning

Bringing a new brand to a multi-generational firm with a 40-year history can be a challenging process to tackle. Reason for change needs to be communicated clearly and everybody on the team needs to share the same vision for the future. PCA handled their internal processes beautifully with a clear alignment on responsibility and decision making process which made our work so much easier. We are proud of the holistic, practical yet playful brand we created in collaboration with the marketing and communications team, and are looking forward to seeing how it will express itself over the course of time.


Code: Glance Digital

Strategy: Combo Creative


Bringing a new brand to a multi-generational firm with a 40-year history can be a challenging process to tackle. Reason for change needs to be communicated clearly and everybody on the team needs to share the same vision for the future. PCA handled their internal processes beautifully with a clear alignment on responsibility and decision making process which made our work so much easier. We are proud of the holistic, practical yet playful brand we created in collaboration with the marketing and communications team, and are looking forward to seeing how it will express itself over the course of time.


Code: Glance Digital

Strategy: Combo Creative