Football. History. Nicosia.
Football is the most popular sport in Cyprus, yet it is rarely treated or analysed as a historical and cultural phenomenon. As such, the Leventis Municipal Museum in Nicosia – a treasure trove of history and culture in the heart of Cyprus’ capital – was determined to reveal the history of football on the island in a new light, provoking audiences to view a sport traditionally only associated with the stadium through an unconventional glance.
The appios® team was called upon to create the exhibition title and overall identity. Inspired by handwritten football banners and a historic photo of players on a football pitch, the team opted for bold typography and a colour scheme that artfully blends the old with the new. The distinct palette juxtaposes sepia tones with a yellow circle, symbolic of the shape of a football and a striking lime green line, adding a vibrant touch to the exhibition identity and breathing new life into a sport with such a long history.
As part of the exhibition identity, appios® designers created wall displays/graphics/murals, timeline panels/information panels, an exhibition book, and more. Creatively extracting Cypriot football from the restrictive frame of the football field, emphasis was placed on the historical essence of the sport in an appealing and modern manner to offer an exceptional and diverse museum experience.
“This exhibition ‘scored a goal’ into culture, and it was our job to honour the significance of Cyprus football history and ensure that the overall identity and visuals were right on point. As sporting history was unconventionally brought into a museum context, we also had to break free from predictable boundaries and challenge the norm.”
“The end result was simple yet alternative, with the use of sepia evoking nostalgia for the past, juxtaposed by a modern neon green that brings history to life today.”
Publication
Archival photos juxtaposed with modern fonts and experimental design bring the history of football to life in a publication created by appios® designers to accompany an innovative exhibition at The Leventis Municipal Museum.
Crafted with precision and an aesthetic nod to nostalgia, the exhibition catalogue – printed on woodfree paper and brimming with sepia photos – evokes the timeless charm of an old photo album. Each page exudes a tactile warmth, inviting viewers to embark on a journey through the exciting world of football in days gone by.
The publication acts as seamless reflection of the overall exhibition identity, as the past meets the present with bold typography and a vibrant colour scheme. Classic sepia tones are contrasted with vibrant lime green, injecting fresh vitality into a timeless sport.
A bright yellow circle shaped like a football enhances the visual appeal of the publication’s hardback cover, superimposed over an old photo of players on the field. The yellow circle is also purposefully repeated throughout the inner pages – conveying a sense of energy, motion, and fluidity, symbolic of continuity and the dynamic relationship between history and modernity.
“The choice of woodfree paper is the perfect antithesis to the modern colours and shapes within the publication. It not only enhances the catalogue’s durability, but also imbues it with subtle elegance, reminiscent of cherished memories preserved within the pages of a family album.”
“In contrast to conventional museum catalogues, usually solely focused on documenting artists’ works, this alternative exhibition provided our creative team with a unique opportunity for exploration. It empowered us to experiment with the book’s structure and more daring design elements.”
