Bristol Dockyards
Built different. How the Bristol Dockyards returned the SS Great Britain to the radical heart of its city.
What’s the truth?
In the face of dwindling ticket sales, an aging audience and increased scrutiny over the region’s cultural integrity, even Bristol’s historic SS Great Britain was struggling to keep the experience afloat.
How’d we turn it up?
We built different, and we built out. Expanding the Bristol Dockyards into a reinvigorated cultural experience that reflects the centuries of radical thinking and world-changing ideas its city is famous for.
We went all in on
The new Bristol Dockyards name drops a postcode-sized pin on the map, and gives three central sub-experiences—The Being Brunel Museum, the Brunel Institute’s maritime archive and the ship itself—space to finally sell themselves.
A central collage system chronicles two centuries of history without gathering dust. It merges timelines, textures, typography and Dockyard trinkets in a tactile visual unmistakable across the Avon.
A pink stolen from Cliftonwood’s terraces defies every other black and blue nautical-related brand. Complemented by a palette of bright yellows, greens and oranges, it feels at home with a city that’s still raving come opening time.
Tonally, the voice also reflects a city that speaks up for itself. Deeper. Vaster. Braver. It doesn’t imitate Bristol or fleece off its accent, it channels its attitude into every word.
"HOW+HOW helped us shape a new brand identity and digital platform, and did it at pace! They were selected because we wanted something that felt different for the sector, connected to Bristol’s creative energy, and genuinely true to SS Great Britain and our story.
"The result feels fresh, flexible and full of life, while still being respectful of our heritage and wider global significance. It’s a joy to use. Because it's so rooted in meaning and storytelling, buy-in from across the organisation was easy to find. It truly feels like a brand that belongs in Bristol and reflects the energy and creativity of the city."
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Communication Arts | Bristol Dockyards
The Guardian | Bristol Dockyards
ITV West | Bristol Dockyards
BP&O | Bristol Dockyards
It's Nice That | Bristol Dockyards
The Telegraph | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Review | Bristol Dockyards
The Times | Bristol Dockyards
Design Week | Bristol Dockyards
Brand New | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Bloq | Bristol Dockyards
Creative Boom | Bristol Dockyards
Brrranding | Bristol Dockyards
Bristol 24/7 | Bristol Dockyards
Mindsparkle Mag | Bristol Dockyards
Visit Bristol | Bristol Dockyards
We & The Color | Bristol Dockyards
Inspiration Grid | Bristol Dockyards
Proof of the truth
Credits
