Port Fest Campaign
The Client
Ports Fest is an award-winning cultural festival that has been providing enriching experiences in Portsmouth for over 20 years. Formerly known as Portsmouth Festivities, the festival rebranded in 2020 and continues to engage with diverse audiences across the city and surrounding areas. Its ambitious programme responds to Portsmouth’s identity as a commuter hub, sea city, and area of rich cultural history, while maintaining strong ties to education and community engagement. Collaborating with local schools and creative partners, Ports Fest delivers a dynamic, multi-arts experience across a variety of venues.
The Opportunity
Ports Fest embarked on a rebrand to mark its evolution from Portsmouth Festivities, reflecting a shift in its programming and identity. The task was to create a bold, dynamic logo that would stand out in Portsmouth’s competitive cultural scene and against other prominent local arts organisations. The new design needed to be instantly recognisable, versatile across social, print, and digital platforms, and aligned with the festival’s multi-arts focus. A key challenge was to move away from previous nautical and colour-changing elements, opting for a more unified, impactful brand identity.
Our Approach
We crafted an iconic, versatile logo that serves as the foundation for Ports Fest’s evolving visual identity. Designed to accommodate fresh illustrations each year, this dynamic mark seamlessly adapts to new themes while maintaining a cohesive festival brand. The logo’s flexibility allows it to anchor a wide array of marketing materials—from banners to social media—ensuring each year’s campaign remains bold, instantly recognisable, and engaging.
Results
Central to the campaign was the creation of a visually striking, pocket-sized brochure. Compact and eye-catching, it serves as both a convenient guide and a key promotional piece. Designed for easy mailing and portability, it informs, engages, and inspires, presenting a wealth of festival events in a format that feels accessible yet innovative. Each year’s materials build on the last, fostering a sense of continuity while offering enough novelty to intrigue audiences and encourage participation in the festival’s diverse program.
This solution balances brand consistency with creative reinvention, ensuring Ports Fest stands out as a must-attend event.