The Royal Castle in Warsaw has unveiled a new visual identity designed by Jakub de Barbaro. His design draws inspiration from the symbolism of the crown, the rhythm of the castle’s façades, and the architectural and botanical details found within the residence. From now on, the institution will use a new logo, which will appear on documents and castle merchandise, amongst other things.
A new visual identity for an institution with a great history
The introduction of the new visual identity marks a significant change in the way one of Poland’s most important cultural institutions presents itself. The Royal Castle, a former seat of power and a site linked to the history of parliamentarianism, now functions as a venue for artistic, academic and diplomatic events. The new graphic system responds to this complexity by clarifying the visual message and giving it a more contemporary expression. As the institution’s director, Prof. Małgorzata Omilanowska, emphasises, the choice of the new logo was of groundbreaking significance and stemmed from the need to create a form capable of telling the Castle’s story using a contemporary design language.
The Royal Castle in Warsaw and the new logo
The previous logo, introduced during Prof. Andrzej Rottermund’s tenure as director, served its purpose for 30 years. Over time, however, it ceased to meet the requirements arising from the development of digital media and changing ways of perceiving visual content. A contemporary museum institution requires a flexible system that is legible at various scales and easy to apply in many contexts. The new logo addresses these challenges whilst taking into account the dual nature of the Castle as both a museum and a representative seat of state.
The Castle’s façade as inspiration for the new logo. Photo: Cybularny, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons and the Royal Castle in Warsaw
Jakub de Barbaro’s concept
Jakub de Barbaro’s design rejects a simple dichotomy between historical ornamentation and extreme minimalism. Instead, it proposes a solution based on the deliberate use of detail and synthetic form. The logotype retains a wealth of references whilst remaining functional in use. Its composition draws on three key areas of meaning: the symbolism of royal power, visible in the outline of the crown; the rhythm of the castle’s façade facing the Vistula; and a detail taken from the interior design and surroundings of the residence. As a result, the logo operates on various levels of perception, revealing further layers upon closer inspection.
What does the new Royal Castle logo consist of?
The logotype’s design features, amongst other things, the gutted decorations from the Knights’ Hall, the sun motif from the Clock Tower, and the rosette from the Great Hall. It also includes laurel leaves from the King’s Wardrobe, floral ornaments from the Deputies’ Hall, and a ginkgo leaf from the Lower Garden. These are complemented by details taken from the Matejko Gallery and elements inspired by the jewels attributed to the so-called Crown of Chrobry. This approach ensures that the logo functions as a visual archive, encoding various themes related to the history and furnishings of the residence.
Application of the new visual identity
An integral part of the identity is a custom typeface developed in collaboration with the Capitalics Warsaw Type Foundry. The starting point was the work of Jan Rossowski, a printer brought to Warsaw at the turn of the 16th and 17th centuries by the chancellery of Sigismund III, who held the exclusive right to produce official prints, including the act of election of Władysław IV. The reference to this figure imbues the new typography with strong historical roots. The entire system goes beyond the logo itself and also encompasses exhibition materials, spatial signage, publications and the museum shop’s range. Illustrator Agnieszka Pluskota also participated in the design process. The result of her collaboration with Jakub de Barbaro is a coherent set of visual tools, designed with long-term functionality and resistance to short-lived trends in mind.
Source: Royal Castle in Warsaw
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