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Animated Civic Futures digital installation featuring a flowing pattern of white atoms on a deep blue background. Displayed across a multi-panel screen in an urban environment, the design visualises the ripple effect of global civic action and disruption. Part of the Civic Futures brand identity created to raise awareness of threats to civil society caused by counter-terrorism measures.

Civic Futures naming and brand identity

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A new name and digital identity for a collaborative human rights initiative challenging the repression of civil society across the globe.

A stack of professionally designed reports with dark navy covers featuring the Civic Futures logo and bold white title text reading “Resistance and Alternatives to the ‘Wars’ on Civic Space in the Philippines,” accented with coloured page edges and modern graphic elements.

The challenge

Civic Futures, formerly The Global Initiative on Civic Space and Security (GICCS), is a specialist human rights initiative led by two London-based non-profit organisations: the Funders’ Initiative for Civil Society (FICS) and The Fund for Global Human Rights (FGHR). Together, they aim to highlight and challenge the global harm caused by counter-terrorism laws, policies and practices that threaten civil society.

Interest in the initiative’s work had grown rapidly. But as a relatively new and complex collaboration, Civic Futures needed a clearer presence – something that would help it stand apart while still sitting comfortably alongside its parent initiatives. It required a name and identity that could cut through, spark recognition and convey the importance of its mission.

The requirements

  • A new brand name and strapline
  • A visual identity that communicates the initiative’s role and values
  • A standalone website that clearly articulates the ‘who’, ‘what’ and ‘why’
  • Design principles that align with FICS and FGHR while giving Civic Futures its own space
  • An identity that reflects the collaborative, international and digital nature of the work
  • Accessible digital design, including low-bandwidth animations for global usability
  • A toolkit that could flex across digital and offline applications
Two Civic Futures report covers displayed on a yellow background. The left report, in red, white, and navy, is titled “The Effect of the Philippine ‘War on Drugs’ on Civic Space.” The right report, in teal and navy, is titled “Counterinsurgency, Red-tagging & the ‘War on terror’: A War against Deliberation and Dissent, A War with No End.”

The process

We began with a strategic discovery phase, including focus sessions with both founding organisations. These conversations helped us define Civic Futures’ tone of voice, map audience priorities and explore metaphors that could help convey the initiative’s purpose.

Our creative development was guided by the idea of a shifting ecosystem – a growing network of individuals pushing back against civic space repression. This concept became the foundation for the identity. We used ‘atoms’ as a visual metaphor for influence, movement and disruption, and paired them with a secondary device: variable square brackets, symbolising collaboration and clarity. The logo combined both elements – an open semicircle holding the name at its centre, with a deliberate gap to reflect Civic Futures’ invitation to others to join the effort.

For the website, our goal was to communicate complex ideas with simplicity and impact. We developed low-bandwidth reactive atom animations that could adapt to a user’s device or connection speed. This ensured global accessibility without compromising the visual experience.

Civic Futures public awareness posters displayed in a London underground station, promoting the message “Countering the security overreach.” One poster uses a minimalist white design with blue halftone dots, while the other features a bold yellow layout and a photo of a surveillance camera on a brick wall. Both include the Civic Futures logo and website URL, reinforcing the brand’s mission to protect civil society from counter-terrorism overreach.

The solution

Civic Futures now has a distinct and flexible identity that reflects its collaborative, activist spirit. The brand is bold but open, grounded in symbolism and designed to grow. Its visual language captures the ripple effects of grassroots action and the strength of international solidarity.

The new website introduces the initiative with clarity and energy, helping users quickly understand its purpose, partners and priorities. With accessible design at its core, the brand and digital platform together help Civic Futures assert its place in the human rights landscape – standing apart while standing alongside those it was built to support.

Would you like to see results like these for your organisation?

If you’re interested in finding out more about how we could work together, send us a message and we’ll get back to you.

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