AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm headquartered in Los Angeles, providing engineering, architecture, construction management and environmental services across more than 100 countries. The company’s visual identity has evolved through several distinct phases, from an early serif wordmark to the current bold, italicized logotype with a distinctive modified letter “E.”
Design and History
AECOM’s earliest logo featured the company name in blue serif lettering. In 2009, the identity was redesigned as a black, bold sans-serif wordmark, with the letter “E” rendered as three separated horizontal lines, one of which carried a gradient blue and green color accent.[1]
The current wordmark, in use since 2015, is set in all capitals in a bold, italicized geometric sans-serif typeface. Its most distinctive feature is the modified “E,” which is composed of only three horizontal bars with the vertical stroke removed, giving the inscription a progressive, dynamic appearance.[1]
In June 2021, AECOM announced a comprehensive brand refresh tied to its global “Delivering Sustainable Legacies” initiative and its stated purpose of “delivering a better world.”[2] The refresh was described as a strategic upgrade to more fully express the company’s purpose, with the new brand built around core values, a circular emblem connecting communities, and a new color palette drawn from nature.[3]
The 2021 brand refresh was led by an in-house AECOM design team. Lead designers included Juli Anderson, Deborah Harris and Matt Timmins, with additional contributions from Rocio Delapenna, Jennifer Fairall, Camille Dagal, Wilson Alba, Brendon Dinglasan, Mel Blowes and others.[4] The project received an Indigo Design Award in 2022.[4]
Meaning and Symbolism
According to AECOM’s own brand communications, the circular emblem introduced in the 2021 refresh was designed to connect communities, while the new colors were described as originating from nature.[3] The refresh was positioned as a way to instill pride in employees and focus them on the company’s mission, with the new visual identity intended to resonate with the purpose of delivering a better world.[4]
Earlier design commentary noted that the slanted, modified “E” in the wordmark made the inscription look progressive and dynamic, reflecting the company’s experience in engineering and construction management.[1]
Typography and Design
The AECOM wordmark uses a heavy, geometric sans-serif typeface with uppercase characters slanted to the right. The letter “E” is customized as three thick parallel horizontal lines without a vertical stroke.[1] The monochrome black-and-white palette has been a consistent feature of the identity since the 2009 redesign.[1]
Following the 2021 refresh, the brand’s color palette expanded to include tones such as Raw Sienna (#CE863A), Malibu (#6BC8F3) and Cyprus (#00353E), according to brand asset data.[5]
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