Case Studies
Rebranding America’s Largest
Funder for the Humanities
CHALLENGE.
In an effort to revitalize their brand and expand their reach, NEH selected TriVision as the creative agency to lead the initiative to create a new brand identity and logo design. The National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) is the only U.S. federal agency dedicated to funding the humanities, which includes history, literature, philosophy, language, research and more. Since its establishment in 1965, NEH has awarded over $6 billion in grants to institutions such as museums, schools, libraries, public media, and research organizations.
The goal of the rebranding was to create a brand identity that not only reflected NEH’s unique mission but also resonated more deeply with everyday Americans from diverse backgrounds. The NEH team believed the previous branding, centered around a government seal, conveyed a sense of inaccessibility and distance, especially to those outside academia. They also recognized that the term “humanities” didn’t resonate with the general public, as many were either unfamiliar with it or felt disconnected from its relevance. Given NEH’s wide-reaching impact across museums, schools, and cultural centers, the old brand was seen as lacking relatability and failing to convey the vibrancy and inclusivity of the humanities.
SERVICES
- Brand Discovery and Analysis
- Logo and Seal Design
- Visual Identity Development
- Multiple Revisions and Collaboration
- Brand Style Guide Development
- Marketing Collateral Development
- Animation Video Reel of NEH Logo
- PowerPoint Deck Design
Solution.
Over the next several months, TriVision’s creative team worked closely with NEH to develop a new, clean, and modern logo and visual identity that was fresh, distinctive, and appealed to a more diverse audience. During the initial discovery and analysis phase, we identified NEH’s key challenges and understood the need for logo options that were both unique and timeless. Our branding efforts underwent multiple phases of revisions and reviews with NEH’s leadership team and Chair. Finally, the new selected logo and brand identity was selected and rolled out in summer of 2024.
RESULTS.
Through rebranding, NEH created a distinct, recognizable brand identity that better reflected its mission and made the agency more relatable and impactful to everyday Americans. The agency’s new logo represents their commitment to NEH’s founding principles of lifelong learning, wisdom, and respect for the diverse beliefs and values of all people.
