GobekliTepeBranding

WORLD HERITAGE SITE BRANDING- GOBEKLI TEPE

This project is a branding system for Göbekli Tepe, developed to translate one of the world’s oldest ritual sites into a contemporary visual language. The aim was to create an identity that respects the site’s historical depth while making it accessible, engaging, and visually relevant for present-day audiences.

About the Site

Göbekli Tepe, located in southeastern Turkey, dates back to around 9600 BCE and is considered one of the earliest known monumental architectural sites. Composed of circular arrangements of massive stone pillars engraved with animal reliefs, it challenges conventional narratives of civilization by suggesting that ritual and belief systems may have preceded settled agriculture. The site carries both archaeological and symbolic significance, acting as a bridge between early human spirituality and collective gathering.

LOGO TYPE:

MARK:

The logotype is directly informed by the meaning of “Göbekli Tepe,” which translates to “hill with a belly” in Turkish. This idea guided the curvature of the typography, creating a rounded, swelling form that references both the physical landscape and the concept of a central, life-giving core.

The symbol (mark) is derived from one of the original carvings found at the site. By abstracting this engraving into a simplified form, the mark connects the identity system directly to the visual language of the site while maintaining clarity and adaptability across applications.

PRIMARY COLORS:

The color palette combines earthy and unexpected tones to balance history with contemporaneity. Brown grounds the identity in soil, stone, and archaeology, while a soft neon yellow introduces a sense of energy and visibility. Blue and orange add contrast and warmth, creating a palette that feels both unconventional and approachable without losing its connection to the natural environment.