Following the transition to John Cain Arena and its subsequent new corporate identity, the venue has taken home gold in the DRIVEN x DESIGN Government Design Awards 2021.

The award comes after the formerly-known ‘Melbourne Arena’ underwent a transition to John Cain Arena in December 2020 and importantly, the design process was focused on the creation of an identity that would reflect the stature of John Cain’s contribution to the Melbourne & Olympic Parks (M&OP) precinct as an inspiring driving force.

R-Co Brand, a Melbourne-based brand design and digital agency, were engaged to develop the Arena’s new corporate identity and brand.

Winner in the ‘Graphic Design – Corporate Identity & Branding‘ category, the award celebrates creative and innovative design in the traditional or digital visual representation of brand, ideas and messages, with consideration given to clarity of communication, representation of brand values and the matching information style to audience.

The project involved the strategic positioning of the Arena within the M&OP precinct and engagement with the venue’s key stakeholders, including Tennis Australia, Collingwood Magpies, Melbourne Vixens, Melbourne United and South East Melbourne Phoenix.

Patrick Flannigan, Chair of the Melbourne & Olympic Parks Trust, said the brand could not have been brought to life without the support all those involved.

“The Trust would like to express its gratitude to R-Co Brand and the Cain Family for their partnership and collaboration in support of this project,” he said.

“We are so pleased that the brand has been recognised and we look forward to welcoming many thousand more Victorians to John Cain Arena, and indeed the broader precinct that John Cain envisioned.”