Karlie develops new website for the Basel Children's Office
The Kinderbüro Basel has revamped its brand identity in collaboration with the creative agency Karlie. After more than 25 years of work in the field of child participation, the organization is now presenting itself with a new logo, design system, and website. At the heart of it all is the message: Child participation is a key building block for a just society.
For over 25 years, the Kinderbüro Basel has been working with a unique shift in perspective: it views the world through the eyes of children. Now, in collaboration with the Basel-based creative agency Karlie, the organization has turned its attention inward and revamped its entire brand identity.
The Kinderbüro brings children together with policymakers, government officials, and experts, and supports them in effectively voicing their concerns as experts on their own lives. As part of a strategic process, the organization has thoroughly examined what it stands for and the social significance of child participation.
A Greater Focus on Expertise
The key insight from this process: child participation is far more than just an educational program; it is a vital building block for a just and functioning society. «With our new website, we’re placing greater emphasis on our expertise and reaching out more to professionals who want to design participatory processes with children,» says Executive Director Nico Scholer.
Professional yet lively
The new design system operates on two levels: linear surfaces and striking intersections create a clear visual foundation with high brand recognition. Vibrant colors and organic shapes bring movement and lightness to the design. The new logo also reflects, through its design language, what the Kinderbüro does: familiar shapes are rotated and rearranged—a design statement suggesting that new perspectives are sometimes just a twist away.
«It was important to us that the look not come across as a typical children’s design,» says Gianna Burghartz, a partner at Karlie. «It should look professional and clean while also appealing to children with their energy and zest for life.»
Website Tested with Children
The website is at the heart of the new identity kibue.ch: The diverse selection is clearly organized and now features a separate section for children. The site history.kibue.ch compiles various anecdotes, reports, and profiles from the Kinderbüro's 25-year history.
In keeping with the Children’s Office’s philosophy, the new website was tested and evaluated in advance with children during a workshop. The most important piece of feedback was clear: «Less text, but more pictures and videos.»
The new visual identity makes this philosophy visible: cities, schools, and public spaces improve when they are conceived from more than just one perspective and also involve those who use them every day.
Person in charge at the Children's Office: Nico Scholer (Management), Sarah Ganzmann (Communications). Person in charge at Karlie: Sarah Martin (Strategy), Gianna Burghartz (Design), Cyrill Martin (Web Design).
