LinkedIn asked us to design an employee resource group identity system that aligned well with the master brand.

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LinkedIn Employee Resource Group brand logos animation
Designing a sense of belonging at LinkedIn
LinkedIn has always known its best advocates and brand champions are its employees. As a company, they encourage formation of Employee Resource Groups to help their people find kindred communities within the company.

LinkedIn challenged VehicleSF with the task of solving this problem: How can we uniquely celebrate each individual group identity while maintaining cohesion to the LinkedIn brand? How can we express authentically diverse active communities while maintaining consistency?
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Black Inclusion Group logo t-shirt on man infront of colorful mural
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group women's newsletter on computer
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Asian Alliance webpage with man speaking on iPhone
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group In@Out webpage with woman with rainbow hair on iPhone
Woman holding a LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Embrace water bottle
the challenge: Balancing individualized expression with brand unity
The original ERG logos were developed by the individual groups to use at events, in communications, and on social channels to promote their cause. But it soon became clear that these various group identities, though expressive, did not family well visually with each other or with LinkedIn.
Creating employee affinity group expression
Working closely with the LinkedIn brand team, our approach was two fold:

First, we met with representatives from each ERG to glean their perceptions of their existing identities and to confirm additional desired objectives.

Second, we audited LinkedIn’s existing brand elements and ultimately decided to align the identity architecture with their "World at Work” brand illustration (by Jamie Jones for Wolff Olins). This graphic illustration style presented a perfect range for individual expression while relating visually to the mother brand.
LinkedIn "World at Work" illustration showing people in everyday activities
LinkedIn "World at Work" illustration showing people in everyday activities
LinkedIn "World at Work" illustration showing people in everyday activities
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group icons with "Work at Work" illustration inspiration
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Black Inclusion Group logo design
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group icon set
Placing the 'in'bug at the heart of each of the employee resource group identities creates harmony and cohesion, while a wide range of shapes and colors allows each group’s individuality to shine through.
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Emrace logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Parents at LinkedIn blue and red heart logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group EnableIn logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Women at LinkedIn logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Black Inclusion Group logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Hispanics of LinkedIn Alliance logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group In@Out rainbow flag logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group LinkedIn Asian Alliance logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Veterans & Military logo
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group brand guidelines
LinkedIn Employee Resource Group Embrace logo variations

Project Scope

Research & Insights
Strategy & Positioning
Brand Architecture & Hierarchy
Identity Design & Development

Identity Systems
Creative / Art Direction
Brand Guidelines