The National Arts Centre (NAC), known in French as the Centre national des Arts, is a performing arts centre in Ottawa, Ontario. Its visual identity has undergone two distinct phases: the original hexagonal mark designed in 1969 and a spotlight-inspired logo introduced in 2014.
Design and History
The NAC’s first visual identity was designed in 1969 by Montreal graphic designers Ernst Roch and Rolf Harder. The logo featured three interlocking hexagons, a form derived from the architecture of the NAC building, which was designed by Fred Lebensold. The hexagon was a dominant organizational element throughout the building and its surrounding landscape, and the three overlapping shapes were meant to symbolize the three original “arms” of the NAC: Music, Theatre and Dance. The logo remained in continuous use for more than 44 years. [1] [2]
On February 25, 2014, the NAC unveiled a new visual identity and tagline, “Canada is our stage,” as part of its “Road to 2019” initiative leading up to its 50th anniversary. The new logo was designed by the Toronto-based firm Scott Thornley + Company. The design is rectangular with a triangle in the middle, intended to symbolize a spotlight shining on a stage. The NAC noted that the logo could be interpreted in multiple ways, with some viewers seeing the letter “N” (for national) or “A” (for arts). The rebranding was the culmination of an 18-month project that consulted more than 700 Canadians, including employees, artists, arts organizations and partners. [3] [2]
The NAC explained that the old hexagon logo had been “outgrown” because the organization had expanded from three to six disciplines, including Music, English Theatre, French Theatre, Dance, NAC Presents and the NAC Scene. The new identity was designed to better reflect the NAC’s national role, which had grown significantly since the centre opened in 1969. [2]
Meaning and Symbolism
The original 1969 hexagon logo drew its meaning from two sources: the building’s architecture and the three performing arts originally housed at the centre. The hexagon shape was a recurring motif in the NAC building’s design, and the three interlocking hexagons represented Music, Theatre and Dance. [2] [1]
The 2014 logo’s meaning is intentionally open to interpretation. According to the NAC, “Some see a spotlight shining on a stage while others see the letter ‘N’ (for national) or ‘A’ (for arts). One of the strengths of the logo design comes from the fact it can be interpreted differently by various viewers.” [2]
Typography and Design
The 2014 logo uses purple as its primary colour, specified as Pantone 2114C/2115U. The NAC stated this was “in a nod to the NAC’s original corporate colour palette.” [2]
Although the original hexagon logo was retired in 2014, traces of it remain at the NAC building, including on door handles and signage. The building’s podcast studio is named the Hexagon Studio in recognition of the original mark. [1]
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