Communication Arts magazine has selected SOM’s design for the American Conservatory Theater’s The Strand as a winner of its 57th Design Annual competition. Acknowledging the best in visual communication design from around the world, the magazine honored the project in the Environmental Graphics category.
As part of the complete transformation of The Strand, from derelict cinema to re-energized theater facility, SOM modified American Conservatory Theater’s graphic identity to reflect the focus of its new building—new work, emerging artists, education, and community outreach. Existing brand fonts were adapted into stencil letter-forms—a staple of backstage labeling—to convey the unadorned immediacy of experimental theater and to reflect the gritty, transitional aspects of The Strand’s neighborhood.
The Strand was one of 61 projects selected by a jury of creative professionals from a pool of 4,228 entries, and will be featured in Communication Arts’ September/October 2016 issue.