Reviving History: The Grand Egyptian Museum's Corporate Identity

Designer Rana Gaber's Award-Winning Approach to Ancient Egyptian Aesthetics

The Grand Egyptian Museum, home to an extensive collection of ancient Egyptian artifacts, required a visual identity that would reflect its historical significance while also exuding a modern appeal. The task fell to designer Rana Gaber, who embarked on a research and exploration process that culminated in a rich identity inspired by the basic shapes of ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs. Gaber's design successfully incorporates these hieroglyphs into the museum's logotype and signage system, creating a visual experience that is both familiar and intriguing.

Gaber's unique approach to the museum's corporate identity involved creating a logo using five hieroglyphs that spell out 'Egypt'. These were combined to create a geometric yet simple look. The elongated rectangular shape of the logo is inspired by the cartouche, a frame used in ancient Egypt to indicate that the enclosed text is a royal name. The primary color of the logo is black, a nod to the ancient Egyptians' reference to the banks of the Nile as the 'Black Land'. The secondary colors draw inspiration from the vibrant hues of ancient Egyptian jewelry.

Developing the logo and signage system required an exploration of different visual languages, with a focus on hieroglyphs. The technical specifications of the design were carefully considered, with the aspect ratio of the logo set at 6:2.3. The letter 'E' from the logo was used as a measuring unit, and the modern, geometric font Roboto was chosen as the main typeface to harmonize with the angles and curves of the logotype.

Despite the challenges of representing the museum's rich history and bridging the gap between past and present, Gaber's design has been widely acclaimed. The design avoids the pitfall of appearing comical or caricature-like, a common issue with modern interpretations of ancient Egypt. Instead, Gaber's design achieves simplicity and relatability, carrying the complexity of history within the folds of a modern design.

Gaber's design for the Grand Egyptian Museum's corporate identity was recognized with a Golden A' Graphics, Illustration and Visual Communication Design Award in 2020. This prestigious award is granted to outstanding and trendsetting creations that advance art, science, design, and technology, embodying extraordinary excellence and significantly impacting the world with their desirable characteristics.