The Blossoming Brand Identity of UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden

Immersed in the heart of Los Angeles, Little Big Brands has elegantly weaved the past and present to unfurl the new brand identity of the iconic UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. This initiative not only respects the garden’s historical namesake, Mildred Mathias, but also catapults it into contemporary relevance—heralding a new era of botanical exploration.

Visitors can now experience the garden’s rebirth through enhanced entry points, a redesigned central stream, water features, and communal areas. It’s truly a renaissance period for one of LA’s serene oases, where academia, conservation, and a love for native flora converge.

The agency dove deep into the garden’s ecosystem, soaking in the lush enlightenment and key geographic spreads to provide an immersive redesign. “There is no substitute for that experience, and it really brought the ivory-tower brief to life,” shares Pamela Long, the agency’s managing director.

A pivotal alteration in the rebranding was the evolutionary step from its former lengthy moniker The Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden to the concise and prestigious UCLA Mathias Botanical Garden. It was a deliberate move designed to reflect both the garden’s ties to the university and its stature within the sprawling LA community.

At the heart of the new branding is the Clarkia flower—a bloom native to California and representing both the region’s inherent beauty and the garden’s verdant diversity. Richard Palmer, the creative mind at Little Big Brands, remarks on their selection, “The garden is incredibly lush and diverse, and the Clarkia flower grows abundantly throughout it, making it a compelling marker for the identity itself.”

The logo’s petals aren’t just for show—they’re a tribute to the distinct varieties of Clarkia, including Clarkia mildrediae, or Mildred’s Clarkia, which fittingly honours the garden’s benefactor.

The color palette is directly plucked from the shades of the Clarkia itself, with vibrant pinks and purples splashing across the brand. As for typography, the Omnes font was the foundation, chosen for its modern yet warm essence, then tailored to embody the character of the garden.

UCLA Dean of Life Sciences, Victoria Sork, extols the new identity, stating that it perfectly encapsulates the essence of the botanical haven. Positive feedback has abounded, and anticipation is high to share this refreshed image with visitors far and wide.