CENTENARY BRAND REFRESH FOR
NAMIBIA SCIENTIFIC SOCIETY

From the starlit skies to the sunlit dunes, the Namibia Scientific Society (NSS) has spent a century bringing science closer to people. As a member-led association, its members are the backbone of its mission to preserve and promote scientific inquiry in Namibia. Driving knowledge exchange both locally and globally, NSS supports research across disciplines, from astronomy to hydrogeology, rooted in the Namibian context and explored by scientists and curious minds alike.

Highlights of NSS events that bring science to the community

Guided by our signature approach to brand communication design—where storytelling, visual language and stakeholder insight meet, we brought the NSS story to life with clarity and purpose. Through design thinking, consultative sessions with the board and working groups, deep research and creative exploration, our team shaped a visual narrative that reflects both legacy and ambition. We immersed ourselves in NSS’s history, values and future vision, uncovering ways to amplify its visibility and redefine its role in Namibian society. This wasn’t a mere facelift. It was a strategic repositioning of its brand value; what the organisation stands for, how it’s perceived, and the role it plays in people’s minds.

This concept was inspired by the existing NSS logo and served as a strong foundation for the refreshed identity. We began with a visual motif rooted in crystallography, drawing from Namibia’s distinctive crystal formations and the idea of facets—natural structures that are precise, organic, and inherently collaborative. 

Visual research, initial sketches and concept exploration—exploring logo design options from refreshed to simplified and evolutionary. Image courtesy of FossilEra and Kunashe Manyame.

Primary, secondary and centennial logo designs representing the diverse study groups and sections within the refreshed NSS brand identity

Echoing Namibia’s rich geological heritage, the colour palette reflects the country’s natural landscape to create a grounded yet contemporary feel. The existing spectrum of blues was relooked to capture the vastness of scientific inquiry, exploration, and discovery, evoking the expansive sea and sky. This blue also embodies the brand’s dedication to knowledge and innovation. The typography—applied consistently across the brand name, headings and body copy—was carefully selected and curated to balance modern clarity with distinctive character, reflecting the precision and elegance of crystalline structures.

Beyond the logo, we developed a full suite of brand assets to activate the identity across physical and digital platforms. From letterheads and business cards to social media templates and banners, each touchpoint reflects the core principles of clarity, structure and refined beauty. The crystal concept carries through every detail, translucent overlays, spot UV finishes and layered facets—creating a brand presence that feels both distinctive and trustworthy. The transparent quality of crystal reinforces a sense of openness, depth and cohesion in the refreshed visual identity.

Celebrating 100 years of science
The brand refresh culminated in a centennial celebration that brought together Namibia’s scientific community, cultural institutions, educators, and public leaders to honour a century of scientific progress. The centennial launch was a lively celebration of legacy and future ambition, debuting the Society's new visual identity alongside the conceptual presentation of a new, future-focused facility designed by Kerry McNamara Architects. This extension of the current premises is set to become one of Namibia’s most iconic landmarks and will serve as the new home for its library and scientific archives.

The event featured an immersive brand reveal experience, with banners, presentation slides, branded keepsakes, and exhibition panels designed to showcase the Society’s legacy and its renewed vision. In a powerful moment of continuity and change, members of the Society were among the first to engage with the new identity, which was met with enthusiastic reception—praised for its balance of precision, symbolism, and warmth. Stakeholders noted the brand’s ability to reflect the Society’s relevance and rigour in today’s evolving scientific landscape, while still feeling grounded in place and purpose.

NSS celebrates its 100th anniversary by unveiling the refreshed brand identity to its members and distinguished guests. Image courtesy of NSS and Tanya Stroh.

Designing a Future-Facing Identity for Namibia’s Scientific Legacy

The rebrand has since been featured in the Namibia Scientific Society's own publication, covered in local press, and shared widely across NSS networks. Beyond media visibility, it has sparked renewed interest among younger audiences and potential partners, demonstrating how clear, deliberate design can make science more accessible, relatable, and resonant.

Through design, we translated legacy into momentum, equipping the Namibia Scientific Society with the visual tools to inspire the next hundred years of curiosity, collaboration, and impact. With a fresh, adaptable identity, NSS is positioned to spark curiosity, strengthen its community, and showcase Namibia’s scientific excellence on both the local and global stage.