A History Museum for Today’s Issues
Throughout its history, France has been shaped and influenced by the migration of diverse cultural groups. Over time, government policies regarding migration into France have also varied widely, from the open, American-like policies to encourage the development of a larger workforce after World War II, to the more restrictive policies of the 1970’s, when the oil embargo slowed the country’s economy and spurred higher unemployment. The complex social and political issues of immigration in France have become even more so with expanding global population, access to transportation, lurking xenophobia, and consideration of the politics of the larger European Union. Today, France has been forced to acknowledge that it has become a transit country for asylum seekers and illegal migrants trying to make their way, not only to a home in France but to places all over Europe.
In order to help people understand the historical forces of human migration that were vital to shaping France—and to inform the public about the important immigration issues of today—the French government created La Cité Nationale de l’Histoire de l’Immigration, a museum dedicated to educating the public on the history of immigration in France.
The formation of the institution itself was not without a good amount of political controversy, since it was created with public funds and established during a time of serious debate in France on laws related to immigration. But three years since its opening, the museum has a robust season schedule of exhibitions and events, a visible presence on the streets of Paris, and serves an ever-growing role in promoting understanding and dialogue about French immigration.
Legendre+Rutter serves as the primary graphic design partner of La Cité, helping to promote the museum and inform the public through printed publications, posters, and other designed objects. The logotype for Cité was developed to take the shape of a human form, and this form has been extended and manipulated in both playful and serious ways in the design of the museum’s graphical identity and marketing materials. The purpose of this flexible identity is to keep the image of the institution alive and contemporary, as well as personal and accessible.
Subway billboard to promote the new season of events at La Cité
Poster informing visitors about the recently completed renovation of a portion of the museum
Annual and seasonal program posters
Exhibition posters
Poster announcing an exhibition for children
La Cité Homepage, including an animation promoting the opening of the new Mediatheque (at right)
This poster for “The Night of the Museums,” promoted La Cité’s participation in the citywide event, when all of Paris’s museums are open, free-of-charge, for the entire night.
Website home page featuring “La Nuit” banner
Back of the “La Nuit” poster, folded to form a “coin-coin”
Promotional materials and banner for the opening of the Mediatheque, a library / technology center in the museum
Front and back of a poster announcing “Fête de la Musique”
Pop-up New Year’s card
Three-frame lenticular postcard announcing the new season of events
