Logo

Visual identity of the European Patients' Forum

EPF unveiled our new visual identity on 3 June 2013. The new logo was developed primarily to ensure it reflects the evolution of our organisation in ten years and the changing role of patients. The new shape maintains the human style with the three characters and also brings our values to the fore.

It visualises three different and dynamic figures that gather together to shape a forum. All together they are empowered to become active players that make the voice of European patients heard widely. And all of them are equally included in this forum, representing the need for equal access to healthcare, regardless of their diversity.

The identity of EPF is the face of our organisation to the world. It conveys our ideals, motives and objectives — a sense of what we are all about. “Our appearance has evolved with time, but our essence remains: we are a strong patients’ voice to drive better health in Europe”.

Answering your questions about the new EPF logo

Q: Why did EPF need a new logo?

A: The previous logo was created 10 years ago. The new design refreshes the logo, and represents our organisation as it is today - a key interlocutor on health cross-cutting issues with a solid reputation based on transparency, reliability, credibility and professionalism.

In addition the new logo will reflect the changing role of patients. They transformed in recent years from passive recipients of healthcare services to active and responsible actors in their own health management and healthcare-decision making. The new logo mirrors all the values we are defending.

Q: Is the old logo going away completely?

A: Yes. All new documents/materials released as from 3 June 2013 will be produced with the new logo. However it may happen during a short transition period, expected to last until end 2013, that some documents published on our website will continue to be produced bearing the 'old' logo.

Please also note that the documents published on EPF's website before 3 June 2013 will not be rebranded, and so will continue to bear the old logo.

Q: How did we proceed to change the logo?

A: The process of changing the logo started in September 2012 with a brainstorming session held with the EPF Board and Secretariat. Following this brainstorming phase, we encouraged our members to share their thoughts through an online survey in late 2012.

Based on these results we briefed a graphic designer, priory chosen via a bid tender. The EPF Board approved the concept in March 2013 and the final version of the logo on 8 April 2013.

We unveiled the new logo to our members at our Annual General Meeting on 22 May 2013 and officially launched it on 3 June 2013.

Q: What does represent the new logo?

A: The new logo visualises three different and dynamic figures that gather together to shape a forum. All together they are empowered to become active players that make the voice of European patients heard widely. And all of them are equally included in this forum, representing the need for equal access to healthcare, regardless of their diversity.

Q: Why did you choose these new colours for the logo?

A: The choice of colours is deliberate. Blue is the most prevalent colour in European affairs and represents trust and reliability. Green symbolises nature, healthiness and good fortune. Last but not least, these colours are contrasted enough to be accessible for visually impaired people.

Q: Did the mission of EPF changed with the new logo?

A: No, on the contrary. The logo of EPF is the face of our organisation to the world. It conveys our ideals, motives and objectives — a sense of what we are all about. Our appearance has evolved with time, but our essence remains: we are a strong patients’ voice to drive better health in Europe.

Q: Are there other versions of the logo?

A: There is only one official version of the new EPF logo which is the horizontal one. Pictogram, acronym and name all together are internal elements of the EPF logo. Those items may never be separated nor altered, with the exception of certain uses and formats.

Q: When should I use which version?

A: You should use the official version of the logo on stationery, printed communications, and websites. The minimum height size of the logo must be 10 mm. If the logo is reduced, only the pictogram and acronym may be used in isolation as the full name would not be readable anymore. However this can only happen if the whole official logo is present on the same document to allow for recognition.

The logo is also declined in a black and white version to use on black and white documents and in a cube version to use if there is no place to put the official version (e.g. Facebook profile picture or an invitation letter with more than one logo next to each other).

Q: Why did you get rid of the apostrophe “European Patients Forum”?

A: We only dropped the apostrophe in the logo in a concern for aesthetics. This does not change the official spelling of our name which is the “European Patients’ Forum”.

The name “European Patients Forum” is written in full to ensure the understanding of the EPF acronym. Finally the word “patients” is highlighted in bold to recall that patients should be at the centre of policies that affect us.

Q: My designer and printer need to know specifics the colours. Are there Pantone?

A: Yes. The green is Pantone PMS 354C and the blue is PMS 294C.

Q: What are the fonts used with the logo?

A: The font used with the logo is Candara as it is a universal standard available in almost all general business software. However we use Calibri 11 font for body texts.

Q: When can we use the new logo without concern?

A: You can use the new logo as from 3 June 2013. All new documents/materials released by EPF as from 3 June 2013 will be produced with the new logo.

However it may happen during a short transition period, expected to last until end 2013, that some documents released by others will continue to be produced bearing the 'old' logo.

Please also note that the documents published on EPF's website before 3 June 2013 will not be rebranded, and so will continue to bear the old logo.