A new brand for Tavistock
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London and Devon-based consultancy Nathaniel Davis Associates has created a new identity for use in the Devon market town of Tavistock.
Identity with strapline
The consultancy was appointed to the work in May by the Tavistock Business Improvement District and was tasked with developing an identity that could be used by local businesses and others across the town.
Advertising
The identity was developed by Nathanial Davis and Jake Jennings, with the colour taking inspiration from the town’s copper-mining history and the Filosofia typeface from its Victorian architecture.
Market signs
Davis says Tavistock is also noted for its range of independent shops, and that the consultancy aimed to develop a brand language that was ‘unique, cheeky and played on the individuality of the town’.
T-shirt
The new branding uses the strapline ‘founded 974AD’, while the tone of voice aims to highlight the independent shopping experience in Tavistock, with lines like ‘try before you buy’.
Come back soon…
Nathaniel Davis Associates has produced brand guidelines for the new identity, which are being made available to local businesses. The identity will be used on advertising posters and banners, and will also feature on signage and a new website and app for the town.
Readers' comments (7)
Ben Turner | Sun, 23 Sep 2012 7:27 pm
Would love to know what the real job looks like, as it seems these are all lifted from the agency presentation. Some dodgy Photoshop visuals do not a brand make!
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Martin Clift | Tue, 25 Sep 2012 4:24 pm
The design captures the understated essence of Tavistock perfectly - nice work!
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Kate Higham | Tue, 25 Sep 2012 5:45 pm
Nathan's unique vision once again captures exactly what Tavistock town needs... a shot of professional creativity that the whole town will clearly benefit from. I know Tavistock very well, form me the mock-up images, instantly help convay how the new branding and creative thinking WILL work!! A great job, once again Nathan (and his team).
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Mark Peberdy | Mon, 1 Oct 2012 9:41 am
I like this strong, traditional style that reflects the deep history of a town like Tavistock. I think it oozes quality and I expect will entice visitors into the area whilst not alienating the locals. It's the kind of approach I'd like to see if I lived in a place like this - top job!
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Andrew Thompson | Tue, 9 Oct 2012 5:09 pm
Local people in Tavistock have opposed this attempt to create a low quality fake identity for our community. At a public meeting in August this brand was widely derided for poor quality design and historical inaccuracy and it has been heavily criticised at other community meetings since. The claim that Tavistock was founded in 974AD is false as it is not known when settlement in the area first took place. Tavistock has a rich and varied history and heritage which is understood and enjoyed by a wide range of people in many different ways. Insofar as a single brand is appropriate at all the town already has a high quality one – as a World Heritage Site. It does not need this puerile nonsense.
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alex mettler | Thu, 11 Oct 2012 8:27 pm
Tavistock BID board member Nigel Eadie has written to all Tavistock Townscape Heritage Partnership members thus - “Just to advise, the current BID branding exercise - which is now complete - was commissioned by Tavistock BID Ltd for its use in helping to market the Town through BID advertising and other promotional activity. So, the branding is "BID branding" and NOT Town branding! This is an important distinction. It's regrettable that Nathaniel's own promotional activities have suggested otherwise. “
Having seen all of Nathaniel’s proposals for Tavistock on his website I think Mr Thompson’s comment that the branding is ’puerile’ is an understatement.
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Kirt Priest | Tue, 16 Oct 2012 4:31 pm
I really like the Tavistock logo with the s and t connecting with the hook and emphasising 974 A.D. Though I have not heard of this town it makes me want to check it out the next time I travel to England.
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