Nashville Center for Architecture + Design
Design Amplified
The Nashville Center for Architecture and Design (NCA+D) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization committed to educating Nashville on why design matters. NCA+D promotes awareness, understanding, and appreciation of the ways architecture and design shape the built environment and enhance quality of life.
In its infancy, NCA+D needed a strong visual identity and brand language to help build awareness, recruit new board members, and support fundraising efforts. Our goal was to create a distinctive, flexible brand identity and messaging that could resonate across a wide range of applications, from digital platforms to printed materials, physical spaces, and community initiatives.
We developed a cohesive brand system that included a strong icon, a dynamic color palette, and impactful typography. In parallel, we provided writing and strategic guidance to help shape the organization’s message and positioning. This work culminated in comprehensive brand guidelines that brought clarity and consistency to all communications.
Design: Studio Delger
Founders: Linda Marzialo, Marc Rowland, Steve Powell, Carol Pedigo
The cornerstone of the identity is the “N” bracket icon. In its standalone form, it consists of two brackets framing a central dot. The angles of the brackets subtly suggest the letter N, while the dot can be read as a person standing in a room as seen from above, or as a central marker representing a point of focus and a place for the community to gather.
Throughout the system, the logo is intentionally broken apart, allowing the brackets to act as a framing device for content. Used this way, the brackets become an instantly recognizable visual element, even in the absence of the full logo or organization name.
The centerpiece of the work is a small booklet we designed and wrote that helped to articulate the organization’s vision in a substantive, tactile format. The piece serves as a key tool for engaging potential board members, contributors, and donors.
Content from the booklet was then adapted into a short animated video, a website, slide decks, and social media assets to support the public launch of the initiative and extend its reach.
