IH World is proud to announce an exciting brand refresh, designed to adapt to the ever-changing needs of their schools and learners, global social and economic development, and industry trends. The organisation is modernising the visual expression of their vision, mission and values to continue to meet and exceed their customers’ expectations.

A Modernised Visual Identity

The brand refresh aims to reassure existing customers of International House’s leadership in language education while attracting new audiences. The updated brandmarks feature a more modern, 2D effect with accessible, rounded elements. The characteristic rainbow used by all International House schools now uses a toned-down colour palette, reflecting the need for more modern and sleek designs.

To ensure the visibility and accessibility of the IH brand's graphic materials, the colours of the new palette underwent rigorous accessibility tests to guarantee correct use and readability.

Additionally, they have selected two new typefaces, Aptos and Open Sans, both part of the Sans serif series and considered highly accessible. These typefaces are designed for easy reading by a diverse audience, including individuals with visual impairments or reading disabilities.

Consistency and Support for IH School

To support IH schools in adopting these changes, IH World has created a comprehensive brand manual. This guide will assist schools in creating designs that accurately and consistently represent the IH brand across all communication materials.

Incorporating Member Feedback

In developing the new brand identity, IH World listened to the feedback from a focus group of members. They received suggestions to make the 3D globe 2D in line with industry standards and those surveyed requested more variations of the rainbow. In response, IH World has produced a new version of the logo, a new typeface and several variations of the rainbow to provide variety in designs. Additionally, they have introduced icons to represent key aspects of the International House ethos: growth, innovation, excellence, knowledge, communication, and learning. These icons allow IH schools and IH World to further communicate and clarify their services and values to customers in a more visual way.

Creating a Marketing Hub

To further support IH schools, IH World is creating a brand new Marketing Hub. This hub will offer ready-made materials to help integrate the new branding elements and save marketing teams time. By providing these resources, IH World aims to ensure a consistent brand presentation across all platforms, which research shows can boost revenue by as much as 23%.

Comments from IH World’s Managing Director and Marketing Manager

Managing Director, Emma Hoyle, shared her thoughts on the brand refresh: "This brand refresh signifies a step forward for IH World. It represents our commitment to evolving with our customers' needs and attracting a younger audience while staying true to our core values. We believe these changes will not only strengthen our brand identity but also enhance the sense of community and connection among our global network of schools."

IH World’s Marketing Manager, Giuliana Faldetta, expressed her excitement about the new branding elements: "As someone who works with our brand every day, this refresh provides us with the tools to create more dynamic and engaging designs. The new elements allow us to better convey our values and mission, and I’m confident they will give our marketing efforts more impact and resonate more with our audience."

Commitment to Quality and Innovation

The IH World brand refresh is not just about aesthetics; it's about the organisation’s unwavering commitment to quality and innovation. They understand the importance of evolving with their customers' needs and the broader industry landscape. By modernising the brand, they are reinforcing their dedication to providing high-quality language education and training.

Looking to the Future

As International House introduces these exciting changes, they are dedicated to ensuring that their core brand remains recognisable and that continuity is maintained for their customers and schools. They are committed to supporting their schools throughout this transition, providing sufficient time and resources to implement the changes effectively.