Hat Works

Client

Stockport MBC – Hat Works, Museum of Hatting

Creative

Completed

Phase 1: Feb, 2022
Phase 2: Aug, 2023
Opened Mar, 2024

Hat Works is the UKs only museum dedicated to hats and headwear. Located in Stockport, they share the story of the town as a global leader in the hatting industry.

Following a four year development and reinterpretation project, Hat Works officially reopened in 2024. We are delighted to have worked collaboratively with the Hat Works team during this time as their design lead: commissioned to create a new visual identity and interpretation and environment graphics for the newly refurbished museum.

Inspired by all things hatting – from hat labels to the working industrial machines – the logotype we designed is a visual reinterpretation of Hat Works’ continuing story. The selected typeface and styling are directly inspired by the working machines on the Factory Floor to create a sense of movement, while the ‘mill’ symbol creates a recognisable sense of place. Hat Works’ personality and vision is further embodied in a new dual interpretation strapline we introduced, ‘Stockport’s Making History’. Specifically crafted to reflect both Stockport’s historical making legacy, and Stockport’s position as champions of innovators, makers, and creatives.

A dual colour palette reflects their ‘Industrial Modern’ personality; one muted, one bright, the palettes are inspired by Stockport’s built environment, hatting materials from felt to wood, and colour dyes. Alongside, we introduced two distinct typefaces: selected to connect industry and craft, they reflect the historical feel of the former working factory with a modern twist.

Hat Works’ extensive collections forms the basis of the large format collage graphics and photomontages we created for use throughout the Museum, specifically in the ‘Gallery of Hats’. From ‘Global Threads’ to ‘Inspired by Nature’ and ‘Milliners’ Magic’ to ‘All the Colours of the Rainbow’ the floor to ceiling image rich collages, together with graphic shapes and bold colours, each forming a different zone, provide an immersive visual backdrop and context to the newly redisplayed objects.

Our design collaboration was completed in two phases. Phase 1 culminated in the new logotype, a functional style guide, key design and marketing assets, and all interpretation and environment graphics for the Factory Floor, where visitors can experience the restored machines in action and delve into the history of hatting. The style guide and assets were provided to the Hat Works team to enable them to lead on their own future marketing materials. Phase 2 culminated in all the interpretation and collage environment graphics for the Museum’s ‘Gallery of Hats’, where visitors can come face to face with a breath-taking array of hats and headwear in all shapes, colours, textures and styles.