Dragoman breakthrough brands

Discipline: Brand strategy

  • Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC)

    Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC)

    Royal Commission  for Makkah City and Holy Sites

    A renewed experience  

    THE CHALLENGE 

    In 2018, the Royal Commission for Makkah City and Holy Sites (RCMC) was established by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Dragoman was appointed to create the identity, design systems and all brand assets. This was then approved at the highest level by HRH Salman bin Abdulaziz Al–Saud, Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques.   

    As a new brand and organisation, it was imperative for extensive brand guidelines to be created to ensure the consistent rollout of the brand, both internally and across external communications.  

    THE SOLUTION

    The guidelines introduced the brand strategy and showcased how to use the RCMC brand assets correctly and confidently. It also influenced how they speak as an organisation and will be used long term to assist in the development of their company culture.   

    The document includes all guidelines around the new brand identity, to ensure it is used with the utmost respect and always reproduced using the official artwork files.  

    The identity guidelines were supported by a unified set of brand assets and a colour palette that are distinctively RCMC. These allow the brand to visually express itself while staying coherent and considered.  

    Additionally, photography was used as the primary method of visual brand storytelling. The guidelines included a library of images that can be utilised across all types of communication.   

    These visual components were paired with the introduction of a dual language font, to reflects the brand’s ambition for clarity, legibility and accessibility.   

    The guidelines detailed the application of the brand across a broad range of internal elements and communication collateral, including stationery, employee welcome pack, staff apparel, livery, publications, website, digital advertising, social media and corporate office interiors.   

    Finally, the production specifications and paper stocks were rigorously selected. Highgrade proof testing, across digital and offset, was completed to ensure a premium reproduction of the colours and metallic finishes.   

    The first round of these guidelines are now complete and being introduced internally through a brand ambassador program. Further iterations will continue as we work with this long term client.

    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Insights and research
    Brand strategy

    Brand identity

    Design systems

    Brand guidelines

    Brand management


     

  • RedSea

    RedSea

    RedSea

    From product to purpose.

    THE CHALLENGE 

    Red Sea Farms needed a brand platform that would support their current success and market growth, but also allow them to transition to a brand that better reflected the cutting edge technology that they research, design and implement. Ultimately the new brand must support a rapid growth strategy so that they can achieve their admirable purpose to ‘Feed the World Sustainably’.   

    HOW WE WORKED  

    We worked with the company founders and leadership team to capture the essence of the company and ensure that whilst creating a brand that had a technology focus, that the core humanity of the brand would be retained.

    THE SOLUTION

    We captured the purpose of the brand and the existing culture in a new brand narrative and created a brand architecture that helped to structure the business to continue their current success and to leverage brand success for future sustainable growth opportunities. 
    The brand strategy and brand architecture was supported by a new brand identity and brand language for rollout across digital channels, investor communications and environments.

    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Brand positioning
    Brand strategy
    Brand architecture
    Brand story
    Brand identity
    Brand guidelines

    THE RESULT

    The successful repositioning to a technology company opened up opportunities to focus the business and shortly after the rebrand receive US$ 15m in funding.

  • Dubai Financial Markets

    Dubai Financial Markets

    Dubai Financial Markets

    From regional exchange to global entry to capital.

    “We worked with Dragoman team to reposition the DFM brand including our tone of voice and creating the full branding pack. The team are talented and great listeners, they took the feedback and produced high-quality work, and delivered what we had in mind for the brand. They are professionals that we will continue to work with.”

    Fatma Al Hammadi – Head of Marketing

    THE CHALLENGE

    Refresh the existing brand to position DFM as the leading entry point for capital markets in the MEASA region and elevate global recognition—shifting perception from a regional exchange to a gateway for accessing capital worldwide.

    HOW WE WORKED

    We clarified the brand proposition and refined the brandmark, then built a visual language that is modern, sophisticated and flexible. The system was designed to communicate DFM’s role in enabling listed organisations to access capital, accelerate growth and scale.

    THE SOLUTION

    A minimalist, engaging design system that adapts across platforms while remaining precise and intelligent. The visual language reflects the diversity of sectors listed on DFM and scales from data-led communications to investor-facing narratives—consistent, recognisable, and easy to deploy.

    OUR DELIVERABLES

    Brand positioning
    Brandmark refinement
    Visual language system
    Brand guidelines

    THE RESULTS

    A sharper, more global DFM brand that reinforces leadership in MEASA and strengthens appeal to international issuers and investors.

  • Gate Avenue

    Gate Avenue

    Gate Avenue

    Sounds. Surrealism. Selfies. Sushi.

    THE CHALLENGE

    Create a brand that fits the DIFC portfolio, strengthens the destination brand and most importantly, gets people to visit Gate Avenue. Additionally reposition from a premium mall to an accessible, community-led urban destination with multiple experiences. Goal: increase footfall.

    HOW WE WORKED

    We reviewed the market and built on the DIFC destination positioning to carve out a distinct retail role. We defined a brand positioning, personality and tone that stay energetic and adaptable to the fast-changing nature of retail. We designed connected systems linking online and offline for a seamless end-to-end experience.

    THE SOLUTION

    We articulated Gate Avenue as the urban spine that runs the length of DIFC. The visual system uses four gates as entry portals, paths that guide people to eclectic experiences across retail, food, fashion, art and entertainment. The identity is bold, dynamic and more accessible, introducing youthful energy while maintaining DIFC credibility. Messaging focuses on everyday discovery and community engagement.

    OUR DELIVERABLES

    Insights & research
    Brand positioning & proposition
    Brand identity (brandmark & visual language)
    Design system & brand guidelines
    Launch campaign & video

    THE RESULTS

    A clear, distinctive destination brand that sits comfortably within the DIFC portfolio and invites broader audiences to visit, driving a 50% increase in footfall and elevating DIFC’s overall destination appeal.

  • Quardlock

    Quardlock

    Quardlock

    Impenetrable.

    THE CHALLENGE 

    Quardlock had designed and developed the world’s most advanced offline biometric security technology and needed a brand to support their next stage of business growth and market expansion. With the digital world creating massive opportunities for business and society, it also creates risks and dangers with individuals, companies and countries as they are exposed to malicious activity such as identify theft, financial losses and industrial espionage. But if you use Quardlock’s biometric off-line security for identity verification, physical spaces, digital access and transaction authentication, you become impenetrable. 

    HOW WE WORKED 

    We worked with the Quardlock senior management and technology teams to develop the brand positioning and brand identity.

    THE SOLUTIONS

    This laid the foundation for the brand positioning. The brand tone of voice had to demonstrate solidity and be direct in the way it communicated. No fluff, to the point. We kept the brand assets simple with a view to create immediate impact and also to be adaptable to the various sectors that the technology is relevant for. We worked with the business development and management team to create messaging and a tone of voice that would aid in telling the broader story, quickly framing the threat, but very quickly move to how Quardlock provides the solution. 

    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Brand positioning
    Brand strategy
    Design systems
    Brand identity
    Brand guidelines

    THE RESULT

    Sales orders grew. Investors wanted to be buy into the brand and the parterns existed after 2 years.

  • IQ data

    IQ data

    IQ data

    Evolving from a wifi company to designing data solutions that transform business strategies

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    PROJECT OVERVIEW

    IQ data had been in the market for a few years as IQ Wifi, a company that utilised Wi-Fi beacon technologies to help their clients better understand their customers needs and drivers. The company now had the technology and personnel to not only analyse the data from wifi solutions, but to provide its clients with a comprehensive suite of geolocation data solutions that merges the online and the offline worlds. They needed a brand that could help them take this new offer to market.

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    WHAT WE DID

    We worked with the founders to not only understand the new offer and business strategy but to act as true partners, testing brand propositions and helping to focus the new narrative. Through a series of workshops we helped to identify the proposition area that retained enough of their existing market equity but created the brand proposition that would support business growth for years to come.

    We evolved the identity and developed a full visual language and design systems  for the brand to go to market. Key messaging created the right tone of voice and extended the new narrative across products and services. We then worked with their development team to map out the website journey and design the UX and UI.

    We continue to provide branding support and have created a strategic partnership with IQ data that allows us to provide data solutions for our clients and enrich our insights and customer understanding.

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    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Brand strategy
    Naming
    Messaging
    Brand identity
    Design system
    Brand guidelines
    UX design

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  • Abdul Latif Jameel Land — J One

    Abdul Latif Jameel Land — J One

    Abdul Latif Jameel Land

    J One: Uncomplicated urban chic

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    PROJECT OVERVIEW

    Abdul Latif Jameel Land were in the process of planning their first residential development in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. Abdul Latif Jameel Land approached Dragoman to develop the name, branding and endorsement system to the corporate brand.  

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    What we did

    This was the first time that Abdul Latif Jameel Land had developed a project outside of their corporate portfolio and as such the link between the corporate brand and the project brand needed to be carefully considered. This was also not to be the last residential project and as such consideration needed to be given to this project being the first in a portfolio of developments. We reviewed the evolving business strategy and assessed the market to identify the brand opportunity. We developed a naming system that signalled this historic first step for the organisation, but also supported a future expanding portfolio.

    The development was looking to appeal to a range of audiences, from locals to Western expats and as such the brand needed to have a universal appeal whilst conveying the affluence and consideration to design and planning. The name J One was selected and a brand mark and visual language was developed that set the tone for the aspirations of the development and its future tenants. We also developed an endorsement system that clearly identified Abdul Latif Jameel Land as the developer through visual association and also through and endorsement line ‘The premier residential development by Abdul Latif Jameel Land’. A set of key messaging provided a communication platform to take the brand to market.

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    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Insights and research
    Brand strategy
    Naming
    Brand architecture
    Brand assets
    Design systems
    Brand guidelines

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  • Al Forsan Village

    Al Forsan Village

    Al Forsan Village

    Activating a vibrant community 

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    PROJECT OVERVIEW

    The area surrounding the Al Forsan International Sports Resort (AFISR) was masterplanned to create a new and vibrant community in Abu Dhabi. This was also the first development of the newly formed Al Forsan Real Estate.

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    What we did

    To establish a new development brand in a crowded real estate market, we used the aspect of sport and its broader impact on a community as one of the key factors for the brand proposition. The impact that the development would have on the surrounding area and its community was also an inspiration, not only for the brand but also eventually the corporate development brand. The brand proposition, the fabric of the community, became the inspiration for a vivid brand. The various components of the development were brought to life through a tapestry of iconography and colour that conveyed a sense of excitement and created and engaging visual narrative that transcends nationalities and cultures to create a connected and vibrant community.

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    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Insights and research
    Brand strategy
    Brand architecture
    Brand assets
    Design systems
    Brand guidelines

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  • Dubai Economy

    Dubai Economy

    Dubai Economy

    Capturing the entity’s broader purpose

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    PROJECT OVERVIEW

    The Dubai Economic Department was on the verge of their 25th anniversary. There was also a broader strategy by the Government of Dubai to further focus government entities and agencies around consumers and hence several DED services had been upgraded or replaced and most now existed in digital channels. The market facing brand was to be changed to Dubai Economy. The DED needed a new brand to reflect all the positive changes.

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    WHAT WE DID

    The new name, Dubai Economy, was a fundamental shift in the agencies strategy to be more customer focused and shift to a private entity mind set. The name also signified the broader purpose of the DED and the role it plays in structural transformation across all aspects of the economy.

    We started by exploring the evolution of the brand to set the future state of the brand. We were conscience to retain the heritage of the last 25 years and equity that the DED had built to date. Each of the DED agencies, FDI, SME and Trade and Export had developed their own brand and whilst individually they are very successful, there was an opportunity with the name change and the 25th anniversary to align the agencies under one brand and represent the singular vision for a diversified economy.

    The DED and the agencies had also recently been very active in creating new services or updating old services and in their haste to get these new services to market had created a products and services portfolio that was difficult to manage and required significant resources and budget.

    Taking all of these key factors into account we proposed an evolved brand identity for the Dubai Economy brand and created a visual system for the agencies that clearly aligned FDI, SME and Trade and Logistics to Dubai Economy. We also reviewed the brand architecture and the products and services portfolio, creating a future map that defined the approach to each category and the link to the Dubai Economy or agency brand. Through this process we consolidated the portfolio considerably, removing nearly 20 brands and rather providing these services and initiatives with a branded or endorsed system that ensured that all activities were building equity in the Dubai Economy brand.    

    We worked with the client team to internalise and validate the new approach through a series of presentations and workshop with the senior management of the DED and the CEO’s of each of its agencies. Once the future brand direction was agreed we extended the new brand identity across multiple digital and real-world touch points, creating a comprehensive set of brand guidelines for Dubai Economy, FDI, SME and Trade and Export.

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    PROJECT DELIVERABLES

    Insights
    Brand strategy
    Brand architecture
    Brand assets
    Design systems
    Environment design
    Brand guidelines

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