Piera
Piera
Freelance Visual Designer · Academic Research · 2023
Freelance Visual Designer · Academic Research · 2023
Tools:
Tools:
Illustrator, Photoshop
Illustrator, After Effects
Client:
Client:
Piera
Gcore
Industry:
Industry:
Academic / Student Organization
Cloud Infrastructure
Deliverable:
Brand Identity System
Deliverable:
Brand Identity System
Duration:
4 weeks
Duration:
3.5 months
PIERA - the India Policy and Economy Research Club - is a student-led academic organisation based at the University of Arizona, dedicated to Indian policy research and analysis. With no prior brand presence, I designed their complete visual identity from scratch: logo system, colour palette, typography, infographics, and a full suite of print collateral.
PIERA - the India Policy and Economy Research Club - is a student-led academic organisation based at the University of Arizona, dedicated to Indian policy research and analysis. With no prior brand presence, I designed their complete visual identity from scratch: logo system, colour palette, typography, infographics, and a full suite of print collateral.
The Challenge
The Challenge
The brief was entirely open - no existing assets, no established direction, just a name and a mission. The challenge was to build an identity that could credibly represent a serious academic institution while making it clear that this was a club rooted in Indian identity and values, operating in an international university context. It needed to feel authoritative enough for a research audience and distinctive enough to stand out on campus.
The brief was entirely open - no existing assets, no established direction, just a name and a mission. The challenge was to build an identity that could credibly represent a serious academic institution while making it clear that this was a club rooted in Indian identity and values, operating in an international university context. It needed to feel authoritative enough for a research audience and distinctive enough to stand out on campus.
The Approach
The Approach
The conceptual search began by exploring the visual vocabulary of India - peacocks, monuments, traditional patterns - but each felt either too literal or too decorative for an academic context. The answer came through the Indian national flag. Rather than using it overtly, I embedded it subtly: the circular element at the centre of the PIERA logo references the Ashoka Chakra, and the elongated 'E' in the wordmark echoes the proportions of the flag's green stripe. The vermilion colour palette was chosen for the same reason - saffron is India's most internationally recognised colour symbol, and it carries the gravitas the brand needed. Space Odyssey was selected as the primary typeface for its formal, clean confidence - it reads as academic without feeling cold.
The conceptual search began by exploring the visual vocabulary of India - peacocks, monuments, traditional patterns - but each felt either too literal or too decorative for an academic context. The answer came through the Indian national flag. Rather than using it overtly, I embedded it subtly: the circular element at the centre of the PIERA logo references the Ashoka Chakra, and the elongated 'E' in the wordmark echoes the proportions of the flag's green stripe. The vermilion colour palette was chosen for the same reason - saffron is India's most internationally recognised colour symbol, and it carries the gravitas the brand needed. Space Odyssey was selected as the primary typeface for its formal, clean confidence - it reads as academic without feeling cold.
The Result
The Result
The full identity system - logo variations, colour system, typography, banners, infographics, bookmarks, letterheads, diaries, visiting cards, and standee mockups - was delivered and adopted at launch. PIERA launched successfully and received strong positive feedback, establishing a credible visual identity for the club from its very first public appearance.
The full identity system - logo variations, colour system, typography, banners, infographics, bookmarks, letterheads, diaries, visiting cards, and standee mockups - was delivered and adopted at launch. PIERA launched successfully and received strong positive feedback, establishing a credible visual identity for the club from its very first public appearance.
ANAND SAWRUP
ANAND SAWRUP