International Classical Music Database

The International Classical Music Database (ICMD) is a nonprofit organization located in Beijing, China. They exist to promote, educate, and archive classical music for people the world over. They approached Metagramme with a request for an identity that would be elegant, simple, and scholarly, yet contemporary to suit their focus on new media.

The final logo concept plays on the global nature of their work, and the broad range of musical styles which can be labeled “Classical.” The classroom globe is found in schools around the world and has become a symbol of learning at all levels. This speaks to their academic approach. The type-within-rings-of-type also resembles a bank vault, speaking to ICMD’s mission of preservation for future generations.

The musical reference found in the symbol and logotype lock-up is not obvious in the mark as it stands alone. But it becomes apparent in the application of this identity, through usage of the five musical staff lines as a graphic element in print and online communications. These lines can be of any length, bleeding off the visual plane and moving forward.

Role: Naming Consultation, Creative Direction, Copywriting, Design, Production Management