International Coeliac Disease Symposium Branding by Clever Franke
October 12, 2009 // Design + Science





Coeliac disease, or Celiac disease here in the states, is an autoimmune disease that causes an inflammatory response in the gastrointestinal system to gluten-containing products, such as wheat. The only way to treat the disease is by having a life-long gluten free diet. So coming up with a poster for an international conference on the subject may not be the easiest thing to do. But I think Clever Franke, a Utrecht, Netherlands based design studio, did a pretty amazing job.

The undulating patterns on the cover were inspired by villi and fields of grain waving in the wind, but it still has a very scientific vibe to it. They also did a good job of branding everything else with these patterns as well, giving the conference a uniform feel. Science and conferences don’t need to be boring and this proves it.

Bobby

  1. Interesting. They kinda strike me as villi as well.

    Comment by Ian O'Phelan — October 12, 2009 #

  2. I think the graphic is of villi. In Celiacs (like me), the villi get gummed up by gluten, and can’t absorb nutrients properly. If the artwork were wheat fields, it’d be terrifying to anyone with the disease. (Sort of like a nest full of spiders on the pamphlet at an arachnophobiac conference)

    Regardless, it doesn’t diminish the fine design for such a difficult project.

    Comment by Tim — October 12, 2009 #

  3. @Ian and Tim – You’re both right, I should have included that. I think the grain part is more of a hopeful gesture, that one day they’ll find a cure and people like yourself Tim can have an easier time eating.

    Comment by Bobby — October 12, 2009 #

  4. I see villi. Thanks for correcting that.

    Comment by mare — October 12, 2009 #