In their own words
We discovered that the coats of arms adorning the castle walls were not always faded. Their original colours were vivid and vibrant, surprisingly close to the luminous tones of our screens today.
Dr. Gab’s was one of the pioneers of craft beer in Switzerland back in the early 2000s. Since then, the market has grown significantly and become much more competitive.
We were looking for a typeface that would feel confident and visually impactful, especially on beer labels where clarity and personality are key.
We wanted to build a photographic universe that felt unique in the beer market – something warm, local, joyful and slightly nostalgic.
I felt that we needed to step away from the computers, face a blank sheet, and start creating manually.
We then went back to the computer and, using the 2D motion design tool Calvary, recreated, to some extent, the results of our free explorations.
By introducing counterforms and altering the shape of the characters, we created a visual contrast that stands out – an identity within an identity.
The use of negative space, combined with the interplay of geometric forms, created a distinctive visual language that feels modern and alive while maintaining a connection to the broader RTS family.
Beyond the colour, we introduced a typographic play that feels raw and unpolished, similar to street art or graffiti, while still keeping it polished enough to be professional.
The firm wanted to position itself as an established but accessible avenue to contemporary architecture, radiating their passion for design and innovation with the multifaceted energy of a start-up company.
Articles & interviews
- How Hymn bridged medieval and modern for Chillon Castle’s rebrand
Hymn, a Lausanne and Zürich-based branding agency, reimagined the identity of Switzerland’s Chillon Castle by merging medieval heritage with contemporary design. The project features a custom typeface created with NewGlyph, a heraldic-inspired color palette, and playful medieval emojis that bridge historical authenticity and modern digital culture. The result is a flexible, enduring identity rooted in the castle’s material and symbolic history.
- Hymn Revamps 25-Year Craft Beer Brand, Retains Core Identity
The Brand Identity features Lausanne-based studio Hymn’s rebrand of Swiss craft beer pioneer Dr. Gab’s. The project modernises the 25-year-old brand while preserving its heritage, replacing outdated medical motifs with bold typography, minimalist illustrations, and AI-generated photography that evokes Swiss landscapes. The result balances nostalgia and freshness, appealing to both loyal fans and new audiences.
- Hymn Redesigns Atelier Nova Identity to Showcase Evolution
Lausanne-based studio Hymn created a new identity for Swiss architecture and design practice Atelier Nova, reflecting its evolution toward a more sustainable and human-centered approach. The rebrand combines organic, hand-crafted visuals with a technical monogram and modern typography, balancing artistry and precision. The project integrates motion and natural color palettes to express the studio’s fluid, evolving ethos.
- Hymn Redefines RTS Tataki Brand with Innovative Design
Hymn has reimagined the brand identity for RTS Tataki, a youth-focused digital media platform under Swiss broadcaster RTS. The Lausanne-based studio developed a typographic system built on counterforms and negative space, creating a dynamic visual language that connects Tataki to its parent brand while maintaining its youthful, streetwear-inspired energy. The rebrand includes a custom version of RTS Neue, bold geometric shapes, and a flexible design system adaptable across print, motion, and social media.
- Hymn crafts graphic identity for BBAU using stacked 'B's
Design studio Hymn developed a new brand identity for Annecy-based architecture firm BBAU, led by Benjamin Blanc. The rebrand features a minimalist black-and-white palette, a stacked double-B monogram, and the variable typeface Crystal by newglyph. The identity extends across print and digital applications, incorporating motion and 3D elements to reflect BBAU’s architectural ethos.
- Hymn’s kinetic identity for AudioVitality references the Swiss therapy centre’s inventive methods
Lausanne-based studio Hymn created a kinetic brand identity for Swiss therapy centre AudioVitality, inspired by sound waves and technological symbols. The identity features a wave-like logo, 3D-rendered soundwave motifs, and a vibrant color palette balanced by Aeonik Pro typography. The project visually expresses the centre’s innovative use of low-frequency sound therapy.