A bold new chapter for Exercise and Sports Science
Elevating a market leader
Since its establishment in 1991, Exercise & Sports Science Australia (ESSA) has been the nation’s leading authority on exercise and sports science. Representing degree-qualified professionals, ESSA plays a vital role in advocating for the industry and supporting Australians through its members, in achieving their health, wellbeing, and performance goals.
With over three decades of impact, ESSA recognised the need to revitalise its brand to better reflect its position as a market leader and ensure it remained at the forefront of a rapidly evolving industry. Our brief was clear: refresh and elevate the brand to resonate more strongly with members, stakeholders, and the broader health and performance sectors.
But this was more than a visual transformation. It was an opportunity to refine ESSA’s positioning and voice, reinforce its values, align and rally its team and create a digital experience that made engaging with the organisation seamless and impactful.
Brand strategy and research
Brand creative
UX Design
UI Design
The work
Brand Strategy & Research
We began with an in-depth research phase, consulting key stakeholders—including members, industry partners, and internal teams—to understand ESSA’s strengths, challenges, and aspirations. Our goal was to craft a strategy that would not only modernise the brand but also position it as an innovative leader in the industry.
Brand Creative
The refreshed brand identity captures ESSA’s authority, expertise, and commitment to both professional excellence and community impact. A contemporary visual system was developed, ensuring ESSA stood apart in the health, exercise, and sports science sectors while maintaining credibility with policymakers, researchers, and industry partners.
Website Transformation: UX & UI Design
Beyond the brand refresh, ESSA needed a digital presence that matched its elevated positioning. Working alongside iMIS build partner Pseudo Code, we created an intuitive, highly accessible website that improves the user experience for all stakeholders—whether they are industry professionals, existing and prospective members, or the public seeking expert guidance.
The impact
The rebrand has transformed ESSA’s presence, aligning its identity with its reputation as the peak body for exercise and sports science in Australia. Like every brand strategy, this needs to be done from the inside out. During the strategy and consultation phase, we pinpointed strategic opportunities that reinforced the organisation’s positioning and guided the ESSA team on internal brand integration prior to launch.
With a revitalised visual identity and an optimised digital experience, ESSA now stands out as a forward-thinking, authoritative organisation ready to lead the industry into the future. The feedback from members, partners, and stakeholders has been overwhelmingly positive, with a renewed sense of pride and engagement in the organisation.
