The Rank Prize Funds was founded by Lord Rank in 1972. Its dual focus is awarding excellence in nutrition and optoelectronics research. These reflect his milling business and his passion for film (you probably know the gong at the start of many a Rank film).

Following extensive interviews and audits of their brand, we discovered their existing branding didn’t reflect the quality of research and the prestige of everyone involved (including former winners who went on to win Nobel Prizes).

The purpose of the rebrand was to:

1. Make the communications reflect the quality of the organisation
2. Instil confidence in their audiences
3. To attract younger researchers to apply for funding

We added a fourth: make it timeless.

Our process explored the ideas of collision (putting these different areas of science together), networks and catalyst for ideas. Through discussions with the chairs of both the nutrition and optoelectronics committees we found the common ground between the two: sunlight. Our sun symbol design is then rotated to make an identifier for nutrition and one for optoelectronics.

To make what they do even clearer for their audiences, and to elevate their standing even more, we changed their name from Rank Prize Funds to, simply, Rank Prize. To encapsulate all their activities we introduced a new positioning ‘Stimulating and celebrating the brightest minds in nutrition and optoelectronics’. And we’ve given a clear naming strategy to all their grants.

Transform Awards 2023 winner

“The work you guys did for us was outstanding.”
Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

“Our grant applications have increased 10-fold and the quality of the applications has improved massively.”
Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

“We’re now getting grant applications for projects that have great potential for public good.”
Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

“We’ve had so many compliments from stakeholders too, especially at the symposia.”
Samantha Walker, Chief Executive

What we did Communications audit, brand strategy development, brand positioning, naming, logo, brand identity, typography, photography, tone of voice, animations, brand guidelines