Dutch Government Gets a Branding Makeover

The Dutch government has recently streamlined its visual identity. A new set of fonts named Rijksoverheid Serif / Sans was created to be used in all government communications and a single logo was developed to represent the government brand across the board. These branding renovations were masterminded by Peter Verheul and studio Dumbar.

Designworkplan explains:

The Dutch government brand identity was not concise or consistent, with over 200 departments and ministries costs were rising of each department havigd their own logo, typeface, print materials, signage and everything that involves the visual communication of that department. There was not a direct link to society and confusion about the identity the government wants to presents themselves. Project 1 Logo was born to bring back all brand identity of the Dutch government and give one signal to society about what the government stands for. In a pitch several design studios participated in order to create 1 Logo, 1 brand, 1 identity, 1 way of communicating between society and government, coming all together as 1 government. From 2009 until 2011 every department should use the new logo and typeface in all forms of visual communication, a huge operation which involves many parties. I believe there will be a brand guideline from studio Dumbar to lead everything into the correct, concise and consistent use of the brand identity.

Designworkplan: “Dutch government introduces corporate typeface”