Steensen Varming is an engineering consultancy founded in Copenhagen in 1933. From the beginning, the brand was characterised by Danish design principles combined with an inherent global outlook. The idea of functionality being inextricably linked with great architecture is reflected throughout; the original design incorporated a simplistic stamp-like typography on durable and sustainable materials, in line with Danish minimalism and universally appealing.

Marking the company’s 80th anniversary, Søren Varming, an accomplished designer and grandson of the company founder, Jørgen Varming, was engaged to create a redesign. Rather than a rebranding as such, conveying new company values, approach or thinking, it was clear that these already well-established aspects needed a sharp, simple and contemporary corporate identity that would work effectively within a global organisation and across all digital and printed media.

With photographic simplicity, the redesign builds on the Danish Modern heritage. The colour system draws on the now ancient practice of colouring the edge bind of paper drawing sets. The custom fonts VARMING, designed by Henrik Kubel from A2 in London, ensure a distinct typographic identity and consistent company image. Design details such as the ‘chiselled corners’ and the ‘sharp bends’ of the letterforms reference the detailed world of Steensen Varming and establish a unique look without compromising legibility.