Vision Zero: Brand and Marketing

The Louisville Metro Public Works Department set an exciting goal: to become a part of the global Vision Zero organization by working to reduce Louisville’s pedestrian and bike fatalities to zero. It is a movement centered around user education and public works projects that make our roads and pathways as safe as possible.

Brand Identity Logo Design Photography Naming

A protected bike lane runs beside a residential street lined with trees. Large blue text reads VISION ZERO LOUISVILLE next to yellow painted lines resembling a crosswalk.

THE CHALLENGE

Education and enthusiasm

The national organization of Vision Zero has not established brand standards, so after determining a name, our main task was to create a brand that stood out. The identity would need to succeed in a wide variety of situations from educational web materials to construction signs, so legibility and memorability were key. Many drivers and pedestrians lack patience for new roadworks and instructions for safer driving practices. A recognizable brand will help the public to understand that these projects were part of a larger movement and goal, and build support.

THE APPROACH

Safety and simplicity

An enduring, memorable logo was needed to ensure a viewer would connect the broad scope of efforts that Vision Zero was undertaking. So a clean Helvetica wordmark was paired with a simple icon depicting a crosswalk stretching out across the road. The crosswalk is not only one of the most common recognizable designs in pedestrian safety, but it is a physical manifestation of a safe way forward. The layouts and compositions draw inspiration from Swiss typography to allow information to be presented in a clear and legible manner. A dual-color palette of warm blues and yellow echoes the city and state’s flags, but also simplifies the identity.

While Vision Zero needed a clean, refined identity, we sought to contrast the simplicity of the typography and palette with a lively selection of icons and illustrations depicting street signs, traffic patterns, and Louisville landmarks. These would be paired with large color fields and updated photography.

Two bus stops display bold Vision Zero Louisville ads with geometric shapes, icons, and bright blue and yellow colors, promoting safer streets in an urban setting.

THE RESULTS

One step closer to a safer city

Equipped with a logo, colors, and visual identity, as well as a new library of photos featuring public safety roadworks around the city, Vision Zero Louisville is now able to better communicate their message, raise awareness, and increase engagement in both government and civic spaces. While the ultimate goal of a fatality-free Louisville will be difficult, a cohesive and iconic brand takes our city a big step closer.

Two posters for Vision Zero Louisville displayed side by side. Both feature the title in bold blue and yellow text, with several landscape photos of city roads and crosswalks. One poster has a white background; the other is yellow.

A blue and white bus with “VISION ZERO LOUISVILLE” and various safety icons displayed on the side, promoting the Vision Zero Louisville initiative. The website VISIONZEROLOUISVILLE.GOV is also visible.

Rows of blue and yellow geometric shapes are overlaid on a city street with a bike lane, power lines, parked cars, trees, and industrial buildings visible in the background.

A graphic with yellow and white road signs, arrows, people walking and biking, cars, buildings, and street symbols on a blue background, representing various urban traffic and city elements.

A dark background with repeating circular and straight patterns of the words VISIONZEROLOUISVILLE in yellow, blue, and white text, oriented in various directions.