In today’s lecture, we were introduced to the brief for the 103 module. The aim of this project is for us to create a rebrand for Libraries NI, and for this week to start our research as well as choose our target demographic,5 name ideas,5 values and priorities for our rebrand.
I began by looking at the Libraries NI official website and tried to identify key design aspects of the current branding, such as the colour scheme, general feel, logo and fonts used.
Looking through the website, I immediately felt that it was dated, the colour scheme as well as the logo heavily remind me of the design in the 2010’s, it definitely feels quite basic or un-polished and does not reflect any recent design trends in my opinion.
However further looking into the website I got reminded of the huge array of resources and events Libraries NI hosts. These events range from educational to elder or child focused. I also found out that Libraries NI hosts many resources that benefit everyone such as internet access, printer/photocopier access and simply being a universally accessible warm , free indoor space for the local community.
Shortly after researching the current branding and resource's provided by Libraries NI ,me and a couple of other students decided to head to nearby libraries and speak to the librarians working there about what they notice working there and what they'd improve or dislike about the current branding, layout of the library or decor.
We asked them the following questions:
Do you enjoy coming to the library? What do you like about it? What do you dislike about it? Are there any changes or improvements that you would make? How often are you in the library? Do you find it relaxing? How busy does it usually get? What day is usually the busiest?
In response we got these replies:
Ulster University Library:
Can hear everything happening outside It lounge downstairs Books upstairs Lots of seating Louder downstairs/ fairly quiet upstairs Not busy No staff downstairs Student well-being resources Demographic- students Library system is confusing Busier around lunchtime Busier on Wednesday
Belfast Central Library:
Art work Free water More serious Quiet Children's library Story times for children Register forms Different events for children and adults Staff uses library- both physical and digital books Free library cards Saturday is busiest day Demographic- seniors 50+ Bright lights