We adapted the Great Coat of Arms of Gdańsk for digital use and developed an identity system for Gdańsk City Hall. We combined technical refinement with heraldic consultation, staff requirements and documented usage rules.
Tradition and practical requirements
The ornate coat of arms contained many details that made it difficult to reproduce at small sizes and in different formats. The task was to simplify and standardise it while preserving its historic character.
The requirements extended beyond the coat of arms. City Hall departments needed related logos, while everyday communications required shared rules for documents, information materials and promotion.
Understanding needs and consulting specialists
We began by agreeing the scope of changes with the City Hall team. A staff survey helped identify difficulties in using the identity. These discussions and responses informed the first designs.
We consulted professors at the University of Gdańsk specialising in heraldry on successive details. Elements were assessed against their historical origins. We developed the design in stages, combining practical requirements with knowledge of the symbol.
A digital symbol and its applications
We vectorised the artwork, standardised outlines and specified colours. We prepared a digital version of the coat of arms for scaling and use at different resolutions.
We also designed logos for organisational units, including the Mayor and City Council. Selected elements of the city identity formed the basis of a restrained key visual. We complemented the system with a serif typeface for special content.
Materials and guidelines for City Hall
We prepared letterheads, envelopes, business cards and digital letter templates reviewed for accessibility. The scope also included information signs, leaflets and banners.
We developed a visual identity manual and supplied print and digital files to City Hall departments. The result was technically prepared artwork, related identity elements and documentation for their use. The project connects respect for heritage with the everyday communication needs of a large institution.
