Émile Cohl Art Academy: Branding a Prestigious Art Institution’s U.S. Debut

Bridging artistic legacy with contemporary digital experience for a prestigious creative institution.

Higher Education · Brand Strategy · UX/UI Design · Visual Identity

Émile Cohl Art Academy is a distinguished French art institution with a legacy in visual arts education. As the academy expanded to the U.S., the goal was to establish a brand and digital presence that reflected both its creative heritage and its forward‑looking educational mission. I partnered on strategic naming, visual identity evolution, and UX/UI direction to help shape a cohesive experience that supports recruitment, storytelling, and community engagement.

Strategic Brand & UX Focus

For an institution rooted in tradition yet poised for growth, the work needed to bridge artistic legacy with modern digital expectations:

• Brand Positioning & Messaging: Clarified Émile Cohl’s unique value as a tuition‑free academy, shaping foundational narrative frameworks that support recruitment, partnerships, and donor communication.

• Visual Identity Direction: Built upon the academy’s rich visual culture to establish a distinctive identity suitable for digital, print, and environmental applications.

• UX/UI Framework & Navigation Strategy: Designed the initial structure and journey for the forthcoming web experience, ensuring intuitive exploration for prospective students, artists, and patrons.

What Makes This Project Unique

This project highlights how strategic thinking and creative expression can coexist in educational branding:

• Brought a historic French creative tradition into a contemporary U.S. context

• Developed brand foundations that support storytelling across platforms

• Crafted UX direction that informs future digital buildouts and content strategy