Where Creativity and Commerce Converge
Munro House is a building in Leeds, West Yorkshire, situated at the corner of Duke Street and York Street. It houses several independent businesses including a commercial art gallery, bookshop, bars and cafe. The other floors are home to commercial companies synonymous with the Arts Quarter, including digital and communications agencies.
Munro House
THE CHALLENGE
The new owners of Munro House approached Design by Ant to discuss the need for a new identity to establish the building as a premier destination in the evolving Arts Quarter. The area was gaining a reputation as a modern cultural centre, driven by landmarks such as The West Yorkshire Playhouse, Northern Ballet and the relocation of BBC Yorkshire.
Munro House needed a brand to raise its profile and attract retail and commercial enterprises aligned with the neighbourhood's artistic ethos and changing vibe.
THE SOLUTION
This flexible and contemporary logo honours the building’s legacy and encapsulates its current role as a dynamic space within the Arts Quarter. Its adaptability shines across various applications, from internal and external signage to marketing materials, solidifying Munro House as a vibrant and colourful destination for creative businesses.
The new identity beautifully captures the spirit of Munro House and its eclectic clientele, reinforcing its standing as a key player in Leeds' cultural landscape.
Design by Ant initially developed a wide range of design concepts for Munro House, with several paying homage to its nearly century-long history.
But the final chosen design was a lesson in elegance and symbolism – three geometric shapes forming the letter 'M' with spaces that cleverly shaped the 'H' – a simple yet powerful representation of Munro House.
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A selection of the alternative logo options worked up in the initial ideas stage. The chosen design was the perfect fit. Its flexibility allowed for a lot of creativity and excitement during development.
