Ovation Network — Lisa Rubinelli

Ovation wanted to change up its iconic logo and branding color palette from yellow to blue, while refreshing its brand image. I worked on a refresh pitch that allowed the design team some flexibility while giving the network a stronger voice.

The old package was dark, depressing, and structured to the point that the design team had zero flexibility. It was tasteful, but too safe. Footage elements were not addressed in any meaningful way and and the color palette lacked consideration. Motion had been established by way of a templatized branding package and there were no opportunities to break from it or experiment. As a result, everything looked the same and shared the same format. An updated package needed to express humor, playfulness, and energy, while establishing basic rules for layout, design, and footage treatment.

When Ovation decided to change up its iconic logo from yellow to blue, I pitched a refresh package that lightened up the brand. The previous branding scheme was dark, heavy, and too restrained. Layouts were rigid and packed with too much information, while photographic treatments lacked consistency.

Too much emphasis was placed on endcards: the result was information overload for the viewer.

The use of semicircles as an animation device made for some clunky, awkward layouts. Footage needed a more considered and consistent treatment.

I started by exploring some new typefaces, and settled on Aaux Pro.

NEW LOOK: Aaux Pro - its variety of weights felt modern and hefty enough to stand up to almost any application.

The goal was to create a limited color palette and font family, with expanded design rules relating to type treatment. The effect was less "recipe", and more brand voice. Big, bold, playful graphics convey a sense of confidence and a more youthful, vibrant brand image.

In-promo graphics were designed to have an expanded look and feel, but the new blue figures prominently. Type stays within the package font family specifications. Expanded type treatments relate to subject matter, as per the discretion of art directors and promo producers.

Digital products integrate the On-Air branding strategy, featuring bold graphics, pared down navigation, simplified information architecture, and a cleaned up UI.

A focus on left or right centered type treatments allows for a variety of layout templates and room for playing with animation, timing, and color. Design templates specify rules for lockups.

Promos incorporate quotations and other devices rendered in a "brand voice" to communicate that content is curated by people who love film, and care deeply about the artists and projects they choose to put on the air.