English National Opera: Opera is for everyone

Interior Spread

Good design is timeless. The 1992 brand identity for English National Opera is as strong nearly 30 years on. The secret is an identity that flourishes with time and achieves a natural balance of consistency and flexibility.

Back in the 1990’s ENO had a vision to change the face of opera. To position the genre as being accessible to everyone, able to connect with people from all parts of society. Our brief was simple as it was challenging. To create a striking visual identity with a brand mark that over time could become an icon.

A mark of human proportions

The brand mark is characterised by its attributes of simplicity, wit, strength and importantly, its emotion. The metaphorical quality of a human face with its open mouth ‘O’ and near wincing eyes of the ‘E’ and ‘N’ evoke the true spirit of operatic drama.

Bold use of imagery through photography and illustration is used to create a unique persona for each production, with the brand mark being the consistent unifier; sitting quietly in the wings and letting an individual production shine. Whether on a poster or a programme, the visual identity has the agility to amplify the individuality of a production while creating one effortlessly confident voice.

A timeless modernity

ENO’s vision changed the face of opera, making it accessible to a wider audience

30% of audiences now under 44

Establishing it as an innovative house with a world-class reputation.

Today it retains a freshness and timeless modernity that sings out with natural charm: a very human logo you can both see and listen to with a smile on your face.