The Victorian Society and Toast Design launch the charity’s new website. Graphic: Clark Patient
The Victorian Society has worked with Banbury-based integrated agency Toast Design to deliver both a new identity and a bespoke website.
With a website estimated to be 20 years old the Society knew it needed to raise awareness of the issues it champions, find new and younger members, and act as a resource for its diverse stakeholders. The Society also wanted to attract donations, continue to increase event attendance, and serve as a resource for heritage professionals.
Toast Design worked with the charity’s staff and volunteer lead for the project Jesse Freedman, who brought web and marketing experience from Apple and Google, to first create a new brand identity. The Society wanted a website that could be augmented over time with new content, whilst retaining the historic posts that amount to a virtual archive of its campaigning history
The new branding utilises the rich blood red colouring the Society’s membership wished to retain, whilst introducing a contemporary sans serif font. Toast have used the new logo, font and colours from the website across the business pack, for email signatures, social media icons, email templates, a Canva template for A5 leaflets, and a new template for the printed events sheet. The final part of the project will involve the design of new membership and legacy leaflets, and the new brass name plate for the front of the charity’s Grade II listed head quarters.
James Hughes, Director of the Victorian Society said, “This is a major step forward for the Society: it is two decades since we last launched a website, and the old one – though much loved – was visually dull and technically antiquated. Added to this, and for the very first time, the Society now has a logo and visual identity that is integrated, coherent and expressive of the positive, celebratory nature of the Society’s work.”
David Foreman, Managing Director, Toast Design said, “Collaborating with the Victorian Society on this project has been an incredibly rewarding experience. Our goal was to respect the society’s rich history while providing a modern, functional, and visually appealing platform that will serve them well into the future. We are proud of the new brand identity and website, which reflect both the society’s heritage and forward-thinking approach. This project highlights the importance of blending tradition with innovation, ensuring the Society can effectively reach and engage with a broader audience demographic.
The Victorian Society and Jesse Freedman have been fantastic clients to work with. They bring a deep passion for their mission and a clear vision for what they want to achieve. Their openness to ideas and collaborative spirit made the process smooth and enjoyable. We look forward to seeing the positive impact of this refresh on their mission and continued success.”
Marie Clements, Communications and Media Manager for the Victorian Society, said, “Toast have been the very best partner. They have been patient and supremely helpful. Their team have responded to our brief and given us over and above what we asked so we can continue campaigning for Victorian and Edwardian buildings and structures as we have done since 1958.”
