Creating the DETERMIND logo and illustrations
Author: Luce Stewart
After joining the DETERMIND team as a Research Assistant at the start of 2025, conversations began about a study re-brand, including a new logo, website and strapline.
As someone with an artistic background, hearing these conversations are about the same as hearing “is there a doctor on this plane?”. Only, they are much, much less stressful.
After bravely throwing my hat (a small nod) into the ring (a Teams meeting), I began work on the new logo. It needed to represent a multitude of DETERMIND aims:
What are the differences in care outcomes following a diagnosis?
What aspects of care lead to these outcomes?
How are outcomes for people with dementia affected by the cost of their care, when they are diagnosed, the amount of health or social care they get, and their life circumstances?
Two words came to mind: pathway and navigation. Following this, came our logo.
The DETERMIND signpost represents a check-in point, much like our interviews can be for participants. Many have told us that taking part in the interviews has allowed them to reflect on the choices they’ve made, access guidance to move in a better direction and contribute towards a more equal pathway for those diagnosed with dementia in future. We hope that this logo honours what makes the study as important as it is: the participants.
Our illustrations aim to further celebrate this, placing the DETERMIND signpost in some of our current and past study locations:
NOTTINGHAM: The DETERMIND signpost in a field of flowers inspired by the Nottingham Arboretum. It sits at the crest of a hill, next to a bench where walkers can stop and sit.
BRIGHTON: The DETERMIND signpost at Brighton Pier, watched keenly by a seagull. Underneath the pier is the beach, with deckchairs facing out to the sea.
LONDON: The DETERMIND signpost on a fictional road with buildings from our four main London boroughs. From left to right: Brixton Ritzy, the Catford Centre, Croydon Clocktower and Tower Bridge (the south exit of which sits in Southwark).
NEWCASTLE: The DETERMIND signpost sitting on a bridge in Jesmond Dene park. The bridge is made of stone, with ferns and vines creeping out. The bridge sits above flowing water from the nearby waterfall.