5 important things that happened in design this week

Kodak revealed a new retro-inspired brand identity

Kodak redesigned its logo for the first time in a decade this week, bringing back a previous iteration created in 1971.

New York-based consultancy Work-Order designed the new visual identity, which features a red “K” symbol set against a yellow background.

The word “Kodak” is now written vertically across the symbol, whereas it was previously written horizontally.

Kodak’s vice president of global brand and creative Danielle Atkins says the Kodak “K” symbol was brought back after the company carried out brand recognition research, showing that 58% of respondents recognised the brand from the outline of the symbol alone.

The new brand identity comes at the same time as the launch of Kodak’s first smartphone, the Ektra which operates on Android and has a 21-megapixel fast focus camera.

Qantas rebranded with a new kangaroo

Australian national airline Qantas underwent a rebrand this week, and replaced its famous kangaroo icon with a simple silhouette with no arms.

The project was completed by designer Marc Newson, alongside Australian consultancy Houston Group.

This is only the fifth time the kangaroo has been changed since it was introduced in 1944. The new look will roll out across aircraft livery, and all digital assets, signage, adverts and cabin staff and pilot uniforms.

The new look comes alongside the cabin designs for Qantas’ new 787-9 Dreamliner craft. According to Qantas’ chief executive Alan Joyce, the logo has always been updated at the same time of a new aircraft being revealed.

Design Council opened entries for its new Spark programme

The Design Council has revealed its briefs for the 2017 edition of Spark, its programme which provides entrepreneurial product designers with access to mentoring and funding.

Applicants are invited to send in product concepts based on one of five themes – health and well-being, energy and environment, home life, on the move, sports and leisure. Alternatively, they can submit “something remarkable”, which does not fit a category.

Previous winners include a device to stop nosebleeds and a smart doorbell.

Spark is also partnering with Arthritis Research UK on the programme for the second year in a row, seeking to develop product ideas which aim to tackle the pain, loneliness and fatigue that can be caused by the condition.

One finalist who fits The Arthritis Research UK brief will be awarded £50,000, and the other Spark finalists will be awarded the remaining £150,000 between them.

For more information, head here.

Carluccio’s rebranded with a new name

Italian restaurant chain Carluccio’s revealed a new visual identity this week, changing its name officially to Carluccio’s Deli & Dining.

The logotype remains the same brush-script, but is now in a brighter, navy blue with an octagonal border surrounding it.

The rebrand and new graphics have been designed by consultancy Frontroom, while store interiors have been completed by Fusion by Design.

Accompanying the new logo is a refreshed graphic system, which includes patterns that simultaneously aim to appeal to a “younger audience”, while drawing on inspiration from floor mosaics and wall decorations found in Italian churches, says Frontroom creative director Jackie Davis.

Davis says that the previous graphic look of the restaurant was a “little bit old-fashioned”, and the consultancy wanted to create something “more energetic and surprising”.

The new look will roll out online, on in-store branding, merchandise, restaurant interiors and print materials such as menus.

Royal Mail revealed some Mr Men and Little Miss inspired stamps

Supple Studio released a set of ten stamps this week, featuring the loveable Mr Men and Little Miss book characters.

The characters were first created by Roger Hargreaves in 1971, and include Mr Happy, Little Miss Naughty, Mr Bump, Little Miss Sunshine, Mr Tickle, Mr Grumpy, Little Miss Princess, Mr Strong, Little Miss Christmas and Mr Messy.

The design consultancy stayed true to the original designs and typography, says creative director Jamie Ellul. “The book covers are iconic – it felt rude not to put such design classics on the stamps.”

Alongside the stamps is a collector’s pack, which features an illustrated scene of Mr Men and Little Miss characters, drawn by Hargreaves’ son Adam Hargreaves.

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