Roam Studio’s precise, quiet identity for photographer Ben Read heightens the beauty of his oeuvre

Bold, intrepid and unafraid to push boundaries, photographer and filmmaker Ben Read’s work takes him to the most extreme locations worldwide, from meeting The Sámi in rural Tromsø to bouldering in New Zealand. His photography captures humanity at its most extreme, and it was the essence of his process that London-based strategic and creative design agency Roam Studio sought to encapsulate within the identity for Read’s practice. “His images do the talking, so we wanted to give him a platform to present them and the tools to represent himself,” says Ben Toms, Co-founder & Creative Director at Roam Studio. As such, the identity was intentionally designed to recede into the background, allowing his work to take centre stage.

The studio crafted a meticulously tuned and minimalist type-forward identity. The aesthetic is inspired by the stark contrast between the transient, emotionally charged moments Read captures and the dependable, unwavering nature of the equipment he trusts. “Ben’s practice is very technical; beyond light and composition, his team has to combat rugged terrain and nature’s unexpected elements,” Toms tells us. “His experience and skills in the outdoors also play a big part in his ability to achieve his shots. He captures images most others can’t or wouldn’t dare to do; this relies heavily on specialist equipment – his equipment cannot fail, and it allows him to do what he does.”

The wordmark’s typeface, Colophon Foundry’s Aperçu Mono Light, mirrors the technical lettering seen on camera equipment. Toms affirms, “it felt modern, fresh, and approachable, matching not only Ben’s work but his personality too. So we instantly knew it was right!”

A deliberate choice was made not to incorporate a secondary typeface, instead favouring a singular typeface, in one weight, throughout the entire identity. This decision, coupled with a minimalistic neutral colour palette and textural elements like bevelled embossing, amplifies the technical precision and meticulous attention to detail that is characteristic of Read’s work.

Roam Studio

Ben Read