BAnQ is a multifunctional institution comprised of the Grande Bibliothèque, the Archives nationales, and the Bibliothèque nationale. Its purpose is to collect, preserve and promote Québec’s archives and documentary heritage. But, it also squarely faces the future and relies on new technologies to share its resources.

The new identity had to unite the three institutions with a single, clear direction and create instant brand recognition, while being flexible enough to adapt to the BAnQ’s many diverse services.

The Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec (BAnQ) (Canada) is the province’s largest cultural institution. To start a new chapter and inject more dynamism into its communications, BAnQ needed to present a new, powerful and welcoming identity to the people of Québec. An identity that could be endlessly reimagined, that would inspire exploration and encourage discovery while meeting the needs of their clients.

Inspired by the rows upon rows of shelves at BAnQ, we imagined an identity full of possibility and opportunity. We created a logo reminiscent of a bookshelf — slightly askew and ready to inspire.

Like a good book, the logo can be interpreted in different ways and can be taken apart and put back together to create numbers, countless colourful shapes, and playful characters that are used as graphic elements across BAnQ’s communications pieces. All of this to remind Québecers of the endless stories found within the walls of the BAnQ.