Those of you who have been engaged with The VII Foundation for many years will have seen us continually respond to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing professional environment. We started as a small group of committed photojournalists and have now evolved into an organization with a global impact that has trained over 1,200 young journalists from 100 countries, tuition-free, while still producing daring journalism. Along the way we have created new structures and services, and developed a complex ecosystem engaged in reporting, education and media advocacy.
With complexity comes the need for simplicity. Reflecting the foundation’s lead role in multiple areas of visual journalism, we have swept away some of the sub-brands. All our work is now united under the same unifying brand — The VII Foundation — and categorized into three areas: Educate, for all training and education; Report, for all storytelling; and Campaign, for all advocacy and dialogue about a free press, media rights, AI and more.
Our new logo has been completely redesigned by Mechanica Design Director Wade Devers to anchor our rebrand. Wade says: “Since its inception, The VII Foundation has used a Roman numeral logo — a nod to the original seven founding members. But, like the stories the foundation helps bring to light, we felt strongly that an update to the logo had the potential to be a visually expressive device — something far more than just a mark. It needed to honor the VII legacy while evolving into a dynamic, living part of the brand.
Every journalist frames a story through their own aperture, guiding viewers to a focal point — concepts rooted in photography, which lies at the heart of the foundation’s work. These principles inspired the modernization of the VII logo, where the “V” represents the idea of an aperture, and the two “I”s are revealed within the remaining shapes derived from the golden ratio, symbolizing the focal point. The result is a dynamic yet efficient system that empowers the brand to evolve alongside the powerful narratives it represents.”
In the inspiring recording linked below, Wade narrates his process in reimagining our logo. We encourage you to take 15 minutes out of your day to lose yourself in Wade’s creativity, which combines historical references with principles of design.
Please let us know what you think about the new site and join one of our in-person or online events, or consider attending our educational programs. The VII Foundation is a non-profit based in the USA, France and Bosnia and Herzegovina, and we rely on your support to enable us to do our work. Please consider starting 2025 by donating to us, or use FreeWill, our new partner, to remember us in your estate planning.
Thank you for your continued support,
The VII Foundation