Transform a five-century-old trademark for contemporary times
**St. John's College Rebrand Unveiled: A Blend of Heritage and Modernity**
St. John's College at Cambridge University has undergone a transformative rebrand, executed by branding agency SomeOne. The new identity, showcased in the rebranding of InnTravel and Canada Water Dockside, aims to bridge the College’s rich 500-year history with the needs of a contemporary, digitally aware audience.
The rebrand focuses on a balance of historical detail and contemporary refinement. A polished crest, an authoritative new color scheme, and a bespoke monogram, drawn from the floor plan of Second Court, serve as the foundation. The iconic college crest was carefully reimagined, with detailed and simplified versions created for flexibility and clarity across applications.
The typography, designed to feel modern, authoritative, and inviting, supports the college’s academic and intellectual brand. The GT Ultra typeface, which bridges the worlds of serif and sans with its artful blend of calligraphic forms and structured detail, was chosen to reflect this balance.
The new identity is described as cinematic, with impactful video components and a dynamic layout system (the “Court Grid”) that frames images and text in a visually engaging way. This cinematic appeal, along with the use of a fresh, authoritative palette, conveys both tradition and contemporary confidence.
Illustrator Anthony Millard worked with the team to refine the key components of the iconic crest, ensuring new versions retained the essence of the original while being adaptable for modern use. The illustration collaboration adds a personal touch to the rebrand, emphasizing the College's authentic character.
The rebrand also prioritizes user-centricity, responding directly to feedback from students, staff, and alumni. The central narrative is that St John’s is where world-changing ideas are debated and developed, reflecting a commitment to curiosity, ambition, and critical thinking.
The old identity lacked coherence in digital environments; the new system is built for versatility across digital platforms, ensuring consistency and impact wherever the college’s brand appears. The editorial approach to the rebrand incorporates a "zine-like aesthetic" for a modern appeal.
Simon Manchipp, founding partner at SomeOne, describes branding St. John's College as "rebranding fire," emphasizing the need to show its continued relevance. The result is a brand identity that honors St John’s College’s storied past while speaking clearly and engagingly to a new, digitally native generation—emphasizing curiosity, ambition, and a sense of community at every turn.
For those interested in design, the Creative Bloq Newsletter offers daily design news, reviews, how-tos, and more, as picked by the editors. Stay tuned for more updates on the impact of this rebrand on St. John's College and its community.
- The new branding for St. John's College, executed by SomeOne, blends the college's 500-year history with the needs of a modern, digitally aware audience.
- The rebrand features a polished crest, a new color scheme, a bespoke monogram, and an iconic crest that has been carefully reimagined for flexibility across applications.
- The typography chosen for the rebrand, GT Ultra, bridges the worlds of serif and sans with its artful blend of calligraphic forms and structured detail.
- The new identity is cinematic in nature, with impactful video components and a dynamic layout system, creating a visually engaging experience.
- Anthony Millard, an illustrator, collaborated with the team to refine the key components of the iconic crest, ensuring new versions retained the essence of the original while being adaptable for modern use.
- The rebrand prioritizes user-centricity, responding directly to feedback from students, staff, and alumni, emphasizing the college's commitment to curiosity, ambition, and critical thinking.
- The new brand identity, built for versatility across digital platforms, ensures consistency and impact wherever the college’s brand appears, reflecting a sense of community and modern appeal.
