Andere Arnhemmers

Who are the true inhabitants of Arnhem? Besides humans, countless other life forms call the city home: hedgehogs, ferns, insects, birds, mosses, and trees. Andere Arnhemmers is a platform that gives these non-human city dwellers a voice. Its mission is simple but powerful: to connect the human and non-human residents of Arnhem through storytelling and shared experiences. By doing so, it invites people to open their eyes to the beauty of nature in their own neighborhood.
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3D artist
Paweł Grzelak
Concept and text
Studio Lakmoes
Product design (board)
Studio Robbin Baas
Graphic Design
Dana Dijkgraaf

Concept
From ferns growing on old brick walls to hedgehogs shuffling through tiny pocket parks at night, nature is very much present even in the heart of the city. Andere Arnhemmers aims to show how all these species play a role in Arnhem’s ecosystem. Together with Studio Lakmoes and Groen Arnhem, the municipality of Arnhem initiated this platform. I was invited to design a visual identity that inspires wonder and fosters connection. The result is a basic, modern typographic logo that can be reimagined with new natural elements over time, allowing it to evolve with each campaign or season.

What did we create?
For the first campaign, we developed a playful, poetic typographic concept. Each letter of the logo was inspired by a different urban creature. The H was gracefully dressed in dandelion petals, gently swaying in the wind. One E was built from the delicate texture of blackthorn butterfly eggs. Another E was covered in the metallic gold-green and copper tones of the rose chafer beetle’s shell. Every letter was digitally sculpted with precision and care by 3D artist Paweł Grzelak, creating a lifelike and modern visual alphabet rooted in nature.

In addition to the visual identity, we created a variety of tactile and informative materials: a booklet, tote bags, flyers, a nature map full of facts and hidden green spaces, a tree route, and even a DIY package to help hedgehogs survive the winter. Every element was made to spark wonder and promote awareness.

Sparkles
The magic of this project lies in its layers. It is more than a communication campaign; it is a tribute to what lives and grows around us. The typeface, composed of leaves, shells, and seeds, shows that typography itself can become nature. The playful blend of science, education, and visual storytelling appeals to people of all ages. This project redefines the word “inhabitant” in the broadest sense.

What started as a design brief for a visual identity grew into a widely embraced initiative that invites people to see their city through new eyes. And maybe, through the eyes of a hedgehog or a beetle, rediscover a sense of love and care for the world right outside their door.

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