Going ever further

With its particle accelerator-based large research facilities, PSI is the most important research institute for the natural and engineering sciences in Switzerland. Here, specialists from a wide range of disciplines work together to expand the boundaries of human knowledge on a daily basis. With the introduction of the PSI Centers as sub-brands, the broad spectrum of research areas will become more visible to both the international scientific communities and the general Swiss public.

PSI communicates with scientific communities around the world. At the same time, it shares its research with the Swiss population that supports the institute. The PSI website serves these different user groups equally, although their needs and priorities hardly overlap. An in-depth analysis of the old website, user research, open discussion of ambitious ideas and practicability in the daily work of the institute, multi-stage user tests and close collaboration between editorial, design and technology teams have resulted in a modern website that meets the various needs.

PSI researchers present their results at international conferences and events all over the world. At the same time, leading figures from academic and industrial research meet at PSI for conferences, colloquia, seminars and workshops. PSI research is made accessible and tangible to the general public in the PSI Visitor Center and with guided tours of the large research facilities.

The PSI design system creates a new variety of expression. A free-style imagery, a broad colour palette and a variable layout offer great creative freedom. Precise language, clean typography and high-quality photography convey scientific excellence.

PSI’s exclusive Accelerate typeface contains the complete Latin and Greek alphabets, as well as the mathematical symbols and special characters of all European languages. Its expression is factual, clear and precise. We developed Accelerate in collaboration with Lukas Schneider of Revolver Type Foundry. It is contrasted with an intense, pure colour palette. It corresponds to the abstract scientific topics and the often synthetic visualisations of the research results.

The particle cloud breaks with traditional logo conventions. Even in the smallest version, it consists of more than 1000 particles. In the largest version, there are some 150,000 particles swirling around. They follow invisible forces that constantly steer them in new directions and lead to new formations. But despite its variability and complexity, the particle cloud has an original character that is recognisable and creates an identity.

360-degree analysis of communication | UX analysis | CD assessment | Core messages | Brand architecture | Naming of sub-brands | Logo design | Brand design | Motion design | Type design | Internal launch and implementation | Video kit | Motion asset library | User research | UX concept | Prototyping and testing | UI design | UI component library | Website implementation support | Brochures | External and internal periodicals | Posters | Scientific posters | Office templates | Presentation templates | Event collateral | Merchandise | Signage | CD guidelines | Social media assets.