City of Tramelan – CI/CD
September 2007 - onlab creates the new corporate identity and the new visual language of the city of Tramelan in Switzerland.
onlab created the new corporate design and visual language of the city of Tramelan in Switzerland between 2004 and 2008 and translated the concept into various extensive media and applications.
As an urgent response to 25 years of shrinking and economic regression in Tramelan, an interdisciplinary commission was assigned with the task to examine the identity and development opportunities of Tramelan. onlab was invited to contribute as advisors in the field of communication. After the final report, onlab was commissioned to develop a new visual identity and communication strategy for the village in 2006 and for the years to come.
Key terms of the communication strategy derived from the cultural and historic traits of Tramelan were identified as “Savoir Faire” representing the know-how and craftsmanship of the watchmaker industry and the “Savoir Vivre” representing the authentic lifestyle of the population. These key terms served as conceptual framework for color-coding as well as other formal design features of the visual identity.
As an urgent response to 25 years of shrinking and economic regression in Tramelan, an interdisciplinary commission was assigned with the task to examine the identity and development opportunities of Tramelan. onlab was invited to contribute as advisors in the field of communication. After the final report, onlab was commissioned to develop a new visual identity and communication strategy for the village in 2006 and for the years to come.
Key terms of the communication strategy derived from the cultural and historic traits of Tramelan were identified as “Savoir Faire” representing the know-how and craftsmanship of the watchmaker industry and the “Savoir Vivre” representing the authentic lifestyle of the population. These key terms served as conceptual framework for color-coding as well as other formal design features of the visual identity.
By invitation of Salottobuono, Nicolas Bourquin and Niloufar Tajeri give a lecture on Tramelan during the workshop hosted by C4 Centro Cultura Contemporaneo Caldogno. The event, on march 13th. 2010 was organised by Fuoribiennale.
The workshop is a starting point to discuss about cultural production promoted by public institution on territorial level. Videos from the lectures: Cultural First Aid Kit.

The new visual identity of the city of Tramelan - different media.

The first intervention was related to the industrial tradition and the culture of watch making. Based on that, onlab designed the exclusive typeface “Tramelan- Lutz”, which was derived from the typeface “Lutz”. The new emblem and logo are formally based on the newly created typeface. This approach provided a strong uniformity and clarity for all media.

The first visual identity of Tramelan was introduced in 1441 and is an adaption of the armoral bearings of the local duke. Over the centuries, different versions of the emblem with the three linden leafs emerged. In 1954, the council of Tramelan defined the emblem by nothing more than a sentence according to the heraldic tradition. This leaves a certain space for interpretations of the emblem.

1. Three linden leaves are composing the emblem.
2. The central linden leave is rotated to the right...
3. ...to create the “TR” sign...
4. ...”TR” for “TRAMELAN”.
2. The central linden leave is rotated to the right...
3. ...to create the “TR” sign...
4. ...”TR” for “TRAMELAN”.

Pictograms
based on the "Tramelan-Lutz" designed for the signage system.
based on the "Tramelan-Lutz" designed for the signage system.

Another graphic element is the diagonal that was derived from the emblem. This basic element gives a strong identification value to the communication.

Next to the swiss flag, the redesigned emblem of the city (based on the armorial bearings) suspended during a weightlifting competition in Tramelan. Picture © Joël Tettamanti