Cannes Lions

Khortytsia - the island of a mystery

BICKERSTAFF.734, Kiev / KHORTYTSIA ISLAND / 2022

Case Film
Supporting Images
Supporting Images

Overview

Entries

Credits

Overview

Background

This is the island of Khortytsia, the place where Ukrainian history was born. This is the island of centuries-old history, amazing nature, breathtaking secrets, myths, and legends that have been forgotten for many years.

Khortytsia Island occupies a special place in the history and geography of Ukraine. Its age is 3 billion years. This is the home of the legendary freedom fighters - Ukrainian Cossacks. And much more ... But no one knows what exactly. The association of the Museum of the Cossacks firmly established itself behind the island and supplanted all its other attractive aspects. As a result, only those people who are interested in the Cossacks come to the island.

We were challenged to develop a tourism brand that would open the island to internal and external tourism, show its diversity and encourage people to explore Khortytsia.

Idea

The history of the magical Ukrainian island of Khortytsia completely immerses the viewer in the world of sounds and primitive nature with the help of design solutions.

This project is about man's connection with nature, about our roots and history that no one knows. It's like reading a ukrainian fantasy novel full of magic and discover yourself.

Strategy

The most important task for us was to tell the story of our Khortytsia to other Ukrainians and to the whole world. We actively involved the media, and we were also supported by the Office of the President of Ukraine. Our merch became recognizable and the administration of Khortytsia for the first time launched its social networks, where the audience began to become more involved in the history of the magical island.

The new brand of the island of Khortytsia is a graphic journey which grows along with growth of people’s knowledge. Here the heart of the island opens wider, the deeper you get to know it. Centuries-old secrets are hidden here behind abstract facts. And if you are ready to open them, they will appear in all their glory. Just take a step forward.

Khortytsia Island- the place where we are strong.

Execution

All design elements were created based on the real attributes of Khortytsia: flora and fauna, historical artifacts, images from myths and legends, bronze, water, stone and other materials that make up the inner world of the island.

The X sign is the first letter in the name of the island in Ukrainian and is also a symbol of mystery, its meaning may be different for everyone. We took X as a basis and created 24 different logos.

Additionally, we have developed a accidental font based on the shape of the roots to highlight the ancient history of the island.

The “curtain” effect, that reveals the deep essence of Khortytsia to a person is easily scalable and works with graphics, illustration and photography in typography as well. This principle unites all parts of the identity and makes the island’s brand recognisable.

Outcome

Our merch became recognizable and the administration of Khortytsia for the first time launched its social networks, where the audience began to become more involved in the history of the magical island.

For the first month the project has got 8M media impressions. 51 media mentioned us.

Thousands of people discussed it on social nets.It appeared in the news reports all over the country with the participation of the president and the First Lady.