Balian Armenian Ceramics of Jerusalem
The Balian Family of Jerusalem has been producing exclusive hand-painted ceramic tiles and pottery since 1922.
A comprehensive visual identity system for Jerusalem's century-old ceramic arts atelier, established in 1922. The project honors the convergence of Armenian craftsmanship and Jerusalem's artistic heritage through a thoughtfully crafted brand evolution.
Balian is one of the oldest businesses in Jerusalem, and it remains a family business, run by Neshan Balian Jr, whose grandfather Neshan Balian Sr. In 1919 Neshan Balian Sr., Megerditch Karakashian, a master potter, and David Ohanessian, a ceramist, linguist, and head of the Kutahya Ceramic Association, were brought to Jerusalem from Kutahya, Turkey. They came to renovate the ceramic tiles of The Dome of the Rock.
Later, the Balian atelier was known as the Palestinian Pottery and Marie Balian (1925, Marseille to 2017, East Jerusalem) was the master painter. The Armenian origins of the family are an essential part of their brand legacy. Balian has an incredible story that we needed to reflect in the brand. Every part of the brand was carefully crafted to follow the artistry of their products. You can see this in the logo, which uses a level of craftsmanship, detail, and classic typography. These details ripple through the rest of the brand.
The developed identity successfully captures the brand's unique position at the intersection of Armenian ceramic tradition and Jerusalem's cultural heritage, while establishing a contemporary visual language that honors their centennial legacy.
Creative Direction
Peno Mishoyan
Design
Sona Avagyan, Vahagn Kocharyan, Hasmik Abelian, Diana Kupalyan
