# Global Benchmark Research Layer

Use this reference only for benchmark studies or second-phase system extensions. It does not authorize a logo redesign and does not change identity master 14.0.

## Evidence method

- Use official brand sites, official guidelines or design-studio case pages.
- Separate verified facts from HSKB design inferences.
- Link the primary source and record the research date.
- Do not download, redraw or present third-party logos as HSKB assets.
- A public case page, purchased print or visual similarity does not provide copyright, trademark or endorsement rights.

## Correct Hillhouse classification

As reviewed on 2026-08-28, [Hillhouse](https://www.hillhouseinvestment.com/) uses a coral-orange square, dark navy vertical cut and white wordmark. No official public color value was found, so do not call it a verified red-square logo. It is only an adjacent reference for a compact square signal on a dark institutional field.

## Approved method references

- UNIQLO, LEGO and LSE: immutable red-square assets, format discipline, digital avatars and co-brand rules.
- Orange, American Express and YouTube: responsive separation of full lock-up, compact symbol, favicon and app icon.
- The Economist: editorial whitespace, captions, controlled red and sub-brand labels.
- Deutsche Bahn: stable master mark plus a separate, governed motion language.
- Hilti: consistent deployment across web, space, materials and people.
- Pentagram's London Design Festival: preserve signature red while renewing the annual expression layer.
- Pentagram's Mastercard, Hartbeat, San Antonio Book Festival and Perot Museum: derive layout systems and content frames from a core idea without copying proprietary forms.
- Wolff Olins' The Met, GSK, Kenvue and LG: treat identity as an ecosystem and put motion in the behavior layer rather than altering H.

## HSKB second-phase directions

1. Keep the H immutable and version the expression layer separately.
2. Maintain a responsive asset matrix for symbol, lock-up, favicon, app icon and social avatar.
3. Use 1020:1019 and 340 / 339 / 340 as external grid rhythms; never deconstruct the H.
4. Use Gallery Frame only for content worth presenting, archiving or proving.
5. Keep Reference Red scarce: one high-saturation signal per composition.
6. Keep the logo still. Animate frames, captions, content reveals and indexes, with reduced-motion support.
7. Use separate co-brand zones with clear relationship and authorization labels.
8. Add source, date, role and status to evidence captions.

Never copy another brand's square, brackets, circles, letterforms, hat, awning, play button, pattern, motion or color value. Stop any proposal that alters the locked H.
