ARTFEED — Contemporary Art Intelligence

Billur Eda Bilgi Designs Playful Academic Branding for Manhattan's Public School 9

architecture-design · 2026-04-11

So, Billur Eda Bilgi teamed up with The Working Assembly to create a new look for Public School 9 in Manhattan. They wanted something that balances a serious academic vibe with a fun twist, especially for kids in Pre-K through fifth grade. A big influence was the "Man In Space" glass mosaic by Vincent Cavallaro from 1963, which is in the auditorium foyer. The design features a simple grid and unique illustrations that have a playful, misprint feel. The color scheme is vibrant, using shades like Off-White, Mint, and Cotton Candy. They mixed fonts too, using the friendly Mackinac and the bold Nichrome, reminiscent of 70s and 80s sci-fi books. This branding is seen on everything from signs to t-shirts, appealing to students and parents alike.

Key facts

  • Billur Eda Bilgi designed the visual identity for Public School 9 in Manhattan
  • The school serves Pre-K through fifth grade
  • Vincent Cavallaro's 1963 mosaic "Man In Space" in the auditorium foyer inspired the design
  • The design uses a simple grid system for structure and ease of use
  • Custom illustrations feature intentional misprint effects for whimsy
  • Patterns reference classroom materials with brush styles
  • Color palette includes Off-White, Mint, Cotton Candy, Sunshine, Sky, Green Grape, Cantaloupe, and Lavender
  • Typography combines Mackinac by P22 and Nichrome by Mass-Driver fonts

Entities

Artists

  • Billur Eda Bilgi
  • Vincent Cavallaro

Institutions

  • Public School 9
  • The Working Assembly
  • P22
  • Mass-Driver

Locations

  • Manhattan
  • United States

Sources