The European Wearables and Biosensing Network (EWBN), developed by The Open University, is a collaborative platform uniting academia, research institutions, industry, government labs, charities, and policymakers across Europe. It's goal is to foster meaningful collaboration in the rapidly advancing field of wearable biosensing technologies; technologies with critical applications in healthcare, well-being, and even space exploration.
Ian Paget was commissioned to design a simple, distinctive, and memorable logo that reflects the organisation’s role as a central authoritative hub, connecting stakeholders and driving the future of wearable biosensing innovation across Europe.
The European Wearables and Biosensing Network (EWBN) is an exciting new initiative, founded by The Open University, that brings together people from academia, research, industry, government labs, charities, and policy-making bodies. The aim is simple but powerful... to connect these different groups and encourage collaboration in the fast-moving world of wearable biosensing technologies, which are already starting to play an important role in healthcare, well-being, and space exploration.
The idea for the network came about when the team behind it realised there wasn’t a centralised community in Europe focused on this growing field. They wanted to create a platform where people could come together, share ideas, highlight important challenges, and work towards real solutions. EWBN is all about making those valuable connections, helping researchers find funding, and keeping members informed about the latest trends and developments.
To help bring this vision to life, Ian Paget was hired to design a distinct and memorable logo that would reflect what the network stands for; innovation, collaboration, and impact. The identity needed to feel modern and forward-thinking, while also being clear and accessible to a wide audience.
It had to work across a variety of formats too, from websites and social media to event materials and merchandise. Most importantly, it needed to help to position EWBN as a globally trusted hub for connecting people and shaping the future of this exciting area of research and development.
With a long name and the need for immediate global recognition, a simple, memorable, and versatile symbol was created to represent wearable biosensors.
The final design features a circular mark with four radiating zigzag lines, visually echoing the idea of a sensing signal. The lower shape, along with the central circle, subtly form the shape of a person, symbolising the connection between humans and sensor technology.
To complement the symbol, a clean and highly readable typeface was chosen for the organisation’s name. This helps communicate trust and professionalism while keeping the identity accessible and inclusive for a wide audience. Together, the logo is flexible across digital and print formats and effectively positions the network as a globally recognised and respected hub for wearable biosensing innovation.
Want to take a deep-dive look behind the scenes at how this logo came together? Check out my blog post: Designing the Logo for European Wearables & Biosensing Network
