ETH’s Centre for Literary Present, we developed an identity and website that bridges literature, contemporary culture, and academia. The design centres on a dynamic asterisk logo that transforms through animation—unfolding into a book, clock hands, or remaining abstract—symbolising the centre’s core themes of literature, time, and the present moment. This evolving mark plays with both literary and poetic interpretations of temporality, creating a visual language that captures the fluidity of contemporary discourse.

The print system embraces simplicity and adaptability, featuring striking neon orange paper that ensures visibility within the university environment. Modified Times typography—traditionally used in newspaper printing—reinforces the literary focus whilst maintaining typographic consistency across all materials. The website introduces curated visual sequences using images from the ETH Bildarchiv, refreshed each academic year to create narratives that underscore themes of the present. Through a flexible CMS, event organisers can easily upload and style content, making the platform both user-driven and visually cohesive. Serving as the centre’s primary identity-defining platform, the website unites diverse activities and reinforces its vital role within the academic community.