Urban infrastructure and nature power Oliver Grace’s grid-based system for Energy Networks Australia

Energy Networks Australia (ENA) serves as the primary voice for Australia’s energy networks, representing stakeholders who supply power to homes and businesses nationwide. Eager to lead Australia towards a brighter, more sustainable energy future, they joined forces with the team at Melbourne-based brand and user experience studio Oliver Grace to give ENA’s presence an updated look – all while staying true to their role as the trusted voice of Australia’s energy networks.

The resulting approach centres around ideas of dynamic interaction and connection – embodied in the brand idea of ‘energy in motion.’ “As part of the brand discovery process,” Creative Director Nick Lehrain tells us, “we identified two key aspects of energy transition – ‘source’ and ‘supply.’ For both, we sought distinct visual representations – either the sources of energy (such as solar and wind) or the infrastructure that captures and distributes it (like wires and grids).”

The team retained the symbol of Australia from the original logo, refining it into a monochromatic version as the foundation for their refreshed identity. They then paired this with APK Type’s APK Protocol, chosen for its neo-grotesque forms and, as Lehrain points out, “its structural right-angle hook at the base of the ‘t,’ reinforcing a sense of grid-like utility.”

The identity is further anchored by a Swiss-inspired grid system and Suisse Int’l as the brand’s core font, creating a framework that’s both sophisticated and practical – “It helped strike a balance between a brand that is convincing in a corporate setting while remaining engaging enough to attract new audiences,” Lehrain notes.

Real-world inspiration was woven into the design system. As Lehrain says, living in Melbourne, “we’re surrounded by a web of tram lines and power lines. Walking beneath them and looking up, we noticed how the intersecting lines created depth and movement. This became an inspiration for a simple yet flexible motif within the brand system.” These intersecting lines feature prominently throughout the identity, alongside an eye-catching palette inspired by the vibrant and diverse natural landscapes of Australia. A deep, vibrant blue leads the key colours, accompanied by high-contrast greens and oranges.

As ENA often focuses on specific topics related to various power sources or industries, they requested a flexible sub-brand brand system that would allow for topic-specific communications while maintaining a clear connection to the master brand. “It’s still early days,” Lehrain adds, “but we’re excited to see how ENA utilises both the icons and the associated colours to create meaningful offshoots of the core identity.”