New visual identity for an efterskole focused on community and a sense of belonging
How do you create a visual identity that doesn’t just look good – but actually feels right?
For Gylling Efterskole, the task wasn’t about becoming more modern. It was about becoming clearer. Clearer in their values, their sense of community, and the way they engage with students in everyday life.
The goal was to create an identity that makes it easy for prospective students and parents to understand – and, importantly, to feel what the school stands for, even before their first visit.
- Brand Communication
- Brand Guidelines
- Concept & Content Structure
- Film Production
- Illustration
- Photo Shoot
- Tagline Development
- Visual Storytelling og Communication
- Website
Challenge
When the identity doesn’t reflect everyday life
Gylling Efterskole had a well-defined set of values and a strong culture shaped by presence, academic focus, and community. But the visual identity didn’t keep up.
Especially in digital contexts, there was a lack of clarity and cohesion. The existing logo struggled at smaller sizes and didn’t perform consistently across platforms.
At the same time, the communication wasn’t sharp enough for the target audience. It was difficult for prospective students to see themselves in the school – and for parents to understand what set this efterskole apart.
Solution
An identity that makes the feeling visible
The solution was rooted in the school’s core: safety, community, and development.
Based on the message “A sense of security that lifts,” a visual identity was developed to translate these values into a clear and recognizable expression.
The focus wasn’t on creating something that simply looked good, but something that felt real. A design that works in practice – across the website, social media, print, and the school’s physical environment.
A logo that brings people together – quite literally
The new logo is designed with community at its core. The symbol is made up of people standing together in a circle, raising their arms – a simple yet powerful visual expression of what the school stands for.
At the same time, the logo is optimized for modern needs. It’s simplified, more legible, and works seamlessly across both small and large formats, without losing its character.
The typography has been made more accessible, supporting a tone that feels less institutional and more relatable to the students.
ColoUr and typography with a clear role
The colour palette is developed from the school’s core values. Each colour plays a part in the overall expression – from the trust-building blues to the warmer, more energetic tones.
It’s not just aesthetics. It’s a tool for creating recognition and atmosphere across every touchpoint.
The typography follows the same principle. Headlines carry character and personality, while body text is clean and easy to read. This ensures both accessibility and a modern feel – including for students with reading difficulties.
Imagery that feels right – not just looks right
The visual style is intentionally authentic and present. The focus is on real situations rather than staged moments.
This makes it easier for prospective students to see themselves in the school and get a genuine sense of everyday life.
A flexible design system – not just a fixed template
Rather than a static identity, a flexible design system has been developed to adapt across formats and contexts.
A key element is the use of visual “tags”, inspired by stickers and youth culture. They add energy and make it possible to communicate messages in a way that feels relevant to the audience.
At the same time, they introduce variation without compromising the overall visual consistency.
The logo as a flexible graphic element
The logo is not just a logo. It also works as a standalone graphic device within the identity.
Based on the idea of community, it is used as a supergraphic, in patterns, and as visual details across surfaces.
This creates recognition without overusing the logo, giving the identity both cohesion and flexibility.
Result: A clearer, more distinct efterskole
The new visual identity has made it easier for Gylling Efterskole to communicate who they are – and who they are for.
The result is a stronger position within the efterskole landscape, a more cohesive digital presence, and an identity that resonates more clearly with both students and parents.
In short:
A visual identity that doesn’t just show the school – but conveys what it feels like to be part of it.
