Housing NWT
Housing NWT is the territorial organization responsible for providing housing programs and services to residents across the Northwest Territories. Supporting individuals at every stage, from homelessness to home ownership, the organization plays a critical role in delivering safe, accessible, and community-focused housing solutions across the North.
The Approach
This project focused on redefining how the organization shows up to the public. As Housing NWT evolved, there was an opportunity to move away from a traditional corporate perception and create a brand that felt more approachable, service-driven, and reflective of the communities it supports.
I worked as part of the brand development to help shape a flexible identity system that strengthens clarity, consistency, and accessibility across all communications. Designed to support multiple languages and diverse communities, the system allows the organization to show up in a way that feels unified, inclusive, and grounded in its purpose.
The result is a cohesive and adaptable brand that builds trust, improves communication, and supports Housing NWT’s role as a key service provider across the territory.
LOCATION
Yellowknife, NWT
INDUSTRY
Public Sector Housing
DELIVERABLES
Brand Guidelines
Brand Positioning + Architecture
Creative Direction
Design Asset Production
Print Assets
The Housing NWT brand was developed as a flexible identity system designed to support clarity, consistency, and accessibility across a wide range of communications. Moving beyond a traditional logo, the system allows the organization to adapt across applications while maintaining a cohesive and recognizable presence.
Inspired by the landscapes, cultures, and communities of the Northwest Territories, the visual language reflects a balance between structure and approachability. Every element was intentionally designed to reinforce the organization’s values of trust, service, and connection, while supporting communication across diverse audiences and multiple languages.
The result is a brand that feels unified, inclusive, and adaptable, strengthening how Housing NWT shows up across both internal and public-facing environments.
The Housing NWT logo is built on a series of symbolic elements that reflect both the organization’s purpose and its Northern context.
The peak, or roof form, represents shelter, safety, and security, creating a direct connection to housing while the upward angle suggests progress, growth, and hope. Surrounding this, the aurora borealis introduces a distinctly Northern element, differentiating the brand while symbolizing connection across the territory. The five aurora lines represent the regions of the Northwest Territories, reinforcing the organization’s commitment to serving diverse communities.
Colour plays a key role in the identity, with blues and greens selected to convey trust, stability, growth, and wellbeing. The rectangular framing provides a sense of structure and strength, grounding the identity while subtly referencing the built environment.
Together, these elements create a logo that is both meaningful and adaptable, supporting a modern identity system that reflects Housing NWT’s role in building strong, connected communities.
Following the launch of the new brand, Housing NWT saw a noticeable increase in visibility and public engagement across its communications and digital platforms. The refreshed identity, supported by a new website and coordinated rollout, improved clarity around programs and services, making them more accessible to residents. This resulted in increased awareness, stronger internal alignment, and a rise in program applications. The cohesive system continues to support consistent communication across departments, helping rebuild trust and strengthen Housing NWT’s presence as a reliable, community-focused service provider across the territory.
