Conference branding is where this project started. The Circular Economy and Sustainability Symposium is an international academic conference, and I shaped its visual identity around a single idea, that circular economy is not one flat thing but a system of layers, micro, meso and macro, that sit inside one another and constantly shape each other. The identity had to carry that interconnection instead of only looking sustainable.
Translating layers into form
The mark is built from circles set inside one another. The nested circles hold the micro, meso and macro reading directly, layers wrapped around layers, each one part of the next. The circular form does double work, it signals circularity and holds the layered structure at the same time. This is the part of the project I care about most, taking an abstract, systemic idea and giving it a form you can read at a glance.
The colour system
The palette balances academic seriousness with a fresh, approachable feel. A deep navy called Sea carries the trust and depth a conference needs, and a neutral Cloud gives clarity and space. Against these, three brighter tones, Sun, Water and Leaf, bring energy and draw on the natural associations of the theme. The contrast is deliberate, serious enough to belong in an academic setting, alive enough to feel current. A set of line icons extends the same language, carrying the core values of the conference, holistic thinking, innovation, collaboration and measurable impact, into a consistent visual system.
A complete identity system
The conference branding was designed to carry across a full range of touchpoints, the poster and web page, name badges, roll-up, notebook, tote bag, pen and participation certificate, each holding the same visual language. Of these, the poster, the name badges and the roll-up were produced and used at the event itself. The brand guideline set out the logo, colour, typography and layout so the identity could stay consistent across every application.
The outcome
The result is a compact, coherent piece of conference branding built around one clear idea, that circular economy is a system of layers that shape each other, carried by a nested-circle mark and a colour system that stays consistent wherever the conference meets people.
Read the full design story on Behance.
Discover other branding and product projects by Sinem Hallı.
Brand identity, visual system and application design: Sinem Hallı
Client: Circular Economy and Sustainability Symposium