Bergenfest 2023
Art Direction | Festival Branding | Illustration | Map Design | Icon Design | Pattern Design | Motion Design | Social Media Templates | Artist Announcements
Art Direction | Design | Illustration - Gregg Design Company
Motion Design - Matt Gregg
Photography - Jarle H. Moe, Frida Rød
Bergenfest celebrated and achieved its highest sales and attracted the largest number of attendees to date. The weather was perfect, and the artists and vendors were enthusiastic, creating the ideal conditions for Bergenfest to explode and create unforgettable memories that will be cherished for years to come.
Bergenfest approached us to extend the artistic direction we had established with our 2022 designs. Our task was to create a fun, energetic, and lighthearted atmosphere while highlighting the beauty and historical significance of the Bergenhus Fortress grounds. We knew this would present new opportunities for collaboration, allowing us to fully realize Bergenfest's vision and provide an experience that fans and attendees have grown to love and trust over the years.
Energy equals motion, and capturing that energy became our top priority in bringing this year's design assets to life. We wanted to create an experience that resonates with fans and attracts music artists from around the world. Bergenfest is arguably the biggest celebration in all of Norway, and we endeavored to reach the pinnacle of excellence in every detail of this year's festival branding.
With the fortress design, we took a closer look at the festival grounds themselves. The iconic oceanfront views and the majestic fortress architecture set Bergenfest apart from any other festival in the world, not just in Norway. Our goal was to stay within the scope of last year's designs while elevating the branding to make a bold statement, and at the same time provide design assets that would set the stage for the next five years of festival ground banners, stage design, and experience areas.
To take our vision to the next level, we collaborated with the experienced animator and talented art director, Matt Gregg. The Fortress is the heart and soul of Bergenfest, and capturing its awe-inspiring presence was truly challenging. We asked ourselves, how can we do better? How can we infuse more energy and tell a unique story through a single illustration? This was a task that pushed our abilities and storytelling to the highest level. Together, we expanded upon the fortress, creating an infectious and captivating presence that seemingly floats above the harbor and festival entrance. Yet, we deliberately left an air of mystery to intrigue viewers and entice them to crave more, resisting the temptation to watch it repeatedly. We take immense pride in the final execution, and we carried this theme consistently throughout Bergenfest's online presence.
In addition to the new fortress artwork, we designed a comprehensive festival branding guide, including new patterns, icons, banners, festival towers, entrances, and more!
The festival grounds expanded even further this year! Bergenfest opened up the Koengen lawn, a space that can accommodate 20,000 fans during Bergen Live's summer lineup series, offering an enhanced experience with vendors, craft beer, and hexadome tents. Yes, we agree, it's truly brilliant! We believe that bigger is better, and there was a high demand for more entertainment and lounge opportunities, all while supporting local non-profits that give back to the music industry. To assist attendees, we created a custom map that highlights the expanded area and provides easy navigation throughout the festival grounds, just in case you find yourself needing to find your way back to more mischief after indulging a little too much!
For Bergenfest social media templates, we created an additional set of festival-themed icons and patterns that captured the fun and whimsical side of Bergenfest’s persona. These designs were also carried into merchandise and onsite branding.
