The University of Manchester is a truly global institution, with a reputation for education and innovation that resonates across the world. International businesses, charities, governments and universities turn to Manchester for their expertise. Whether it’s leading the European renaissance in industrial biotechnology or helping to train midwives in developing countries, the university provides the spark for positive change.

The Challenge

A unique and compelling identity was required for this insightful exhibition held at Manchester’s beautiful John Rylands Library. The identity needed to work across a range of channels, including outdoor banners, advertisements, information displays within the exhibition and of course, social media.

The Solution

The team developed a silhouette composed of imagery of women who shaped Manchester over the centuries. The exhibition focused on early 20th century women who have made an impact on Manchester. There were five women in particular. Emeline Pankhurst, Catherine Chisholm, Mabel Tyelecote, Madeline Linford and Annie Horniman. However, the curators didn’t want to focus on these individuals, instead creating a vehicle for showcasing how women have made an impact on the areas covered in the exhibition. The client wanted a more disarming, more surprising visual, so that only once in the exhibition, you understand the full story of these women and what they achieved.

• Reports and Brochures: As seen in the Blick Rothenberg’s Chinese and Japanese edition of "Establishing a Business in the UK," our designs incorporated sleek, professional layouts that convey complex information in an accessible format. We ensured that visual elements aligned with Asian cultural standards, appealing to local audiences while maintaining global brand consistency.
• Event Collateral: We crafted a visually cohesive suite of digital and print materials for Interlaw for 2024 Annual Global Meeting in Taipei, from the agenda and promotional assets for the website to social media posts. Each asset was tailored to engage both European and Asian participants, fostering a sense of unity and professionalism across borders.
• Digital Assets: Our team produced digital content for social media and web platforms that were designed to capture attention while aligning with each firm's visual and communication style, ensuring brand recognition and professionalism on all fronts.

The Result

The Women Who Shaped Manchester exhibition received more user generated content (UGC) on social media than any other Rylands exhibition in recent years. A significant number of visitors took “selfies” with the woman silhouette, driving high levels of visitor engagement online. Recent survey statistics show an increase in visitors attending specifically to see the exhibition of 5% compared to the previous installation. Caroline Boyd, Marketing Officer said, “Neville and the team were easy to work with every step of the way. They understood how universities work and turned around a creative compelling design which has hugely benefitted our promotions on social media, and it was all delivered in a timely way and made for a very smooth process.”

• Increased Engagement: The event collateral and digital assets we produced led to higher engagement rates, especially from Asian audiences, for key law firm clients.
• Enhanced Brand Cohesion: By providing a consistent visual experience across regions and media, we reinforced each client’s brand identity globally, helping them communicate effectively with local stakeholders.
• Continued Partnerships: Our clients valued the level of customisation and cultural sensitivity in our designs, which has led to repeat engagements and strengthened relationships.