5 important things that happened in design this week

We had a first look at the Microsoft HoloLens

This week, we trialled Microsoft’s “mixed reality” headset HoloLens, which will retail in the UK at a minimum price of £2,719 from November.

The headset, which can perform both virtual and augmented reality, is better suited for commercial rather than consumer uses, and is mostly intended for practical use.

This includes a partnership with software Autodesk Fusion 360, which will mean designers can create products in thin air through the use of holograms in augmented reality, and an application that will allow junior doctors and medical students take a better look inside a virtually-created human body.

HoloLens is also currently being used by home retailers such as US-based Lowe’s which is using it to realistically project holograms of different kitchen fittings and furniture from its catalogue onto an image of a shopper’s own kitchen.

The HoloLens is currently available for pre-order, and will start shipping to the UK from late November. Unlike some of the more consumer-focused virtual reality headsets, it doesn’t come cheap – it will be available for £2,719, with a more advanced suite priced at £4,529.

YO! Sushi cleaned up and rebranded as YO!

YO! Sushi unveiled a rebrand this week, designed by Paul Belford Ltd, which drops the word “Sushi” from the main logo, and is inspired by Japanese iconography.

The new branding replaces the anime-inspired graphic system implemented by &Smith six months ago, and instead draws inspiration from the original logo from 1996, which was the word “YO!” in an italicised typeface.

It uses a new sans-serif typeface in white for the word “YO!”, which sits against an orange background, cleaning up the logo from the previous iteration, which had pink logotype for the words “YO! Sushi” with a navy blue outline, against an orange background.

Accompanying the new logo is a series of illustrations inspired by Japanese iconography and symbols, including native plants and road systems found in Tokyo.

While the new branding has already rolled out on YO! Sushi’s website, a spokesperson at the company says that the rebrand is still “work in progress” and there may be further iterations made to the branding.

The company also confirmed that the holding company’s name would remain “YO! Sushi”, even though the main logo has changed to “YO!”.

The new branding has rolled out on YO! Sushi’s online platforms. The company has not yet confirmed when it will roll out in-store, on print collateral or on merchandise.

D&AD New Blood 2017 opened for entries

Budding designers, young graduates and students can enter the D&AD New Blood 2017 Awards from this week, as it opened for entries.

Partners this year include the likes of Adobe, Amazon, BBC, Hasbro, Monotype and the National Autistic Society, with briefs such as designing a non-digital party game for young adults, and creating a campaign to challenge the stigma of autism. Applicants can pick one of 16 briefs.

The visual identity for next year’s awards was designed by The Beautiful Meme, which has previously worked on projects for D&AD such as the organisation’s new visual identity launched earlier this year.

Applicants must be 23 years old or under to enter, and the deadline is 5pm on 22 March 2017. For more information, head here.

The Telegraph launched a new app design with a younger aesthetic

National newspaper The Telegraph completely overhauled its news app this week, with a new bright, colourful, scrolling design, which bears resemblance to Snapchat and Facebook.

Designed by The Telegraph’s in-house design and digital team, and developed by The App Business (TAB), the new app includes a Top Stories channel, as well as a bespoke menu which readers can curate.

It is image-heavy, and colour-coded depending on section, in an attempt to be “much more visual to the mobile user”, says creative director Jon Hill, and provide readers with a “quick fix” of news.

“The new app is based on people’s habits in mobile, and keeping up with smartphone trends,” he says. “The newspaper and website are more ‘lean-back’ reading. Mobile is a more intimate and intense experience.”

It follows the redesign of the print paper, website, and iPad edition last year. The app is available for download now for free on iOS and Android via the App Store and Google Play.

Typo Circle celebrated its 40th anniversary

Typo Circle, the design organisation founded in 1976 to showcase talks by well-known and up-and-coming designers, celebrates its 40th anniversary this week.

Having seen speakers such as Saul Bass and Alan Fletcher, the organisation is marking its 40th year with a poster exhibition revealing all of the event posters created for its various talks.

The collection of 60 posters will also be accompanied by archival copies of its annual publication, and a book of the organisation’s history, which visitors can buy at the free event.

The Typo Circle has also rebranded to mark the occasion, with a new logo designed by NB Studio and Studio Sutherl& alongside typography by Bruno Maag.

The Typo Circle 40th year Exhibition runs from 21-23 October at Protein Gallery, 31 New Inn Yard, Shoreditch, London EC2A 3EY. Entry is free.

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