Begum
Utile
Strategy
In 2023, the Library unveiled its updated values and refreshed language surrounding its mission, highlighting three specific areas of focus: Space & Place, Access & Enrichment, and Culture & Organizational Health.
When researching the demographics of Stillwater, I found that, according to the U.S. Census, roughly 30% of households include children, while residents under the age of 18 make up about 28% of the population. In contrast, the city’s median age is 42.5, a figure that has steadily risen year after year—signaling an aging population.
With this in mind, the Stillwater Public Library’s brand has an opportunity to shift its focus toward an older audience, particularly those between the ages of 35 and 45. The following brand materials were designed to speak to the highest level of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs: self-actualization. Members of this age group may not naturally view the library’s services as tailored to them, so emphasizing the library’s ephemeral, exploratory qualities taps into a desire that often emerges later in life.
Ultimately, the visual brand should both celebrate and integrate with the historic building, while also inspiring curiosity and accessibility—inviting visitors to feel as though they could lose themselves in the library’s aisles. This direction places greater emphasis on the experience of the library rather than the “products” it offers.
Logo Design
The logo was designed to reflect the values of access and enrichment. Its outstretched form evokes both an open book and doors being pushed wide, guiding the eye upward toward radiating lines that symbolize growth and discovery. Soft, rounded corners offset the strong geometry, creating a balance that feels approachable and welcoming. Inspired by the composition of the library’s entrance—even in its abstraction—the design reinforces the library’s commitment to providing access to information, technology, and community.
Enrichment and insight
Bookmark
Doors pushed open, or a book open widE.
Design Details
Elements of the physical space were used to build out various design elements to help root the Library's brand in it's tradition and historic space.
Signage
The library’s physical space blends classical Beaux-Arts details with 1990s honey oak furniture and shelving. The result is an environment dominated by warm neutrals, which can work against the intended atmosphere of contemplation and curiosity. To balance this, the brand introduces shades of blue that temper the natural warmth of the space while adding a sense of calm, sophistication, and focus.
