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How do you bring life to an august think tank?

After more than eight years, we continue to help Council on Foreign Relations with the design of brand communications.

opportunity

Founded in 1921, Council on Foreign Relations is an independent, non-partisan membership organization, think tank, and publisher.

With over 340,000 unique visitors monthly, CFR.org is a hub for the organization’s published work, original interactive media, and institutional information.

process

In August 2008, CFR debuted a new visual identity, created by Landor Associates, one of the world’s leading strategic brand consulting firms. Shortly thereafter, Objective Subject realized the comprehensive communication system across all physical and virtual applications.

After an intensive organization-wide audit of material uses and needs, Objective Subject refined brand guidelines to govern all platforms including printed publications, online material, and physical touch-points.

Council on Foreign Relations business collateral

CFR has a diverse portfolio of publications that disseminate critical thinking on pertinent foreign-policy issues. We transformed their communications from low-quality, laser-printed stationery and print materials to one consistent suite of custom, on-brand collateral reflecting the quality of CFR’s work. All elements were produced with 100% post-consumer waste & FSC certified paper—all for less than previous printing costs.

Council on Foreign Relations Task Force Reports 66–73
CFR's The Chronicle

solution

We worked closely with their in-house web development team to overhaul the design of the site to create a straight-forward, elegant, and on-brand digital experience.

The CFR guidelines are a living document that adapts to the ongoing needs of the brand. We are the gatekeepers of the brand and amend this document to adjust to evolving opportunities and requirements.

  • brand.cfr.org — Home
  • brand.cfr.org — Spirit of the Law
  • brand.cfr.org — Brand Architecture
  • brand.cfr.org — Basic User Interface
  • brand.cfr.org — Color Palette

Shallow-curved top with teardrop terminal.

Convex lower bowl.

Sharpley tapered, upward-pointing tail.

  • Shallow-curved top with teardrop terminal.
  • Convex lower bowl.
  • Sharpley tapered, upward-pointing tail.

The lower-case e features a small upper bowl with a horizontal, sharpley pointed cross bar.

Its tail points outward and is sharpley tapered.

  • The lower-case e features a small upper bowl with a horizontal, sharpley pointed cross bar.
  • Its tail points outward and is sharpley tapered.

The ear of the g is a rectangle abruptly entering the bowl.

The lower-case g features a relatively large upper bowl with an angled stress.

The tail of the g is fluid with sharp curves.

  • The ear of the g is a rectangle abruptly entering the bowl.
  • The lower-case g features a relatively large upper bowl with an angled stress.
  • The tail of the g is fluid with sharp curves.

The lower-case j features a flat, downward-pointing top serif.

A sharpley tapered, downward-pointing tail.

  • The lower-case j features a flat, downward-pointing top serif.
  • A sharpley tapered, downward-pointing tail.
Is it Haarlemmer? A breakdown to CFR’s brand typeface
  • CFR's Invite desktop email
  • iphone
    CFR's Invite mobile email
  • CFR's Fellows desktop email
  • iphone
    CFR's Fellows mobile email
  • CFR's Publications Quarterly desktop email
  • iphone
    CFR's Publications Quarterly mobile email
  • Renewing America Infographic for No Helping Hand: Federal Worker-Retraining Policy
  • Renewing America Infographic for Trading Up: U.S. Trade and Investment Policy
  • Renewing America Infographic for Keeping the Edge: U.S. Innovation
  • Renewing America Infographic for Trading Up: U.S. Trade and Investment Policy

cfr.org →

How do you create a simple experience for a highly customized curricula?

We unified Claremont Graduate University’s visual and digital presence to reveal a solidified, relevant identity.

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