deutsches schiffahrtsmuseum
visual identity and
signage system
bremerhaven 2006

the logo takes the form of a ribbon; a merry ribbon fluttering in the wind. it calls to mind wind-swept coastal regions; it leads us on board a ship where the sails flap and snap in the wind and odysseus, tied to the mast, listens longingly to the sirens' song. the logo represents a prime element of the maritime world, the wind that breathes life into flags and ensigns. all kinds of things can be read into this ribbon: a sail, a pennant, the ribbon on a sailor's cap, the rocking of a ship in the wind. it's a familiar and easily accessible image, one that everyone understands and yet is open to interpretation. and of course a blue ribbon also builds an elegant bridge to the great traditional competition for the fastest crossing of the atlantic. thanks to its clear-cut form, even fractions of the logo are easily identified. the fluttering blue ribbon is an appealing sign that can be adapted for a wide variety of applications, effectively transforming it into a brand.