Case studies

Not what you’d expect

Ajvar is a star amongst pantry staples in kitchens throughout much of Southeast Europe. The traditional roast pepper spread or homemade jams, made from sunbathed fruits, is slathered on toast and meat and is even used as a dip to spice up a meal. When these spreads are made at home, they’re usually bottled in reused jars with handwritten stickers; on the shelves of grocery stores, ajvar packaging commonly features traditional patterns and decorative motifs. Kopex – a micro brand that brings these domestic condiments to the table straight from the heart of Serbia’s famous Kopaonik mountain – wanted a different look and feel for its line of ajvar, and so, they rang up Belgrade and London-based design practice Korak Studio.

The science of the smoke

23° is an innovative range of CBD flower and cannabis hardware products, featuring a precision flower mill and a humidity-controlled stash box, otherwise known as a Cannador. The challenge for the London-based branding studio Office of Overview was to build an identity that educates audiences about the science behind their smoke, thus elevating the experience. “Whilst the cannabis world is full of antiquated and pre-legalisation ideals,” explains Founder James Sedgwick-Taylor, “people’s perception of cannabis use is always changing. What was once a stigmatised habit, is now celebrated across the world.” In collaboration with the 23° team, Office of Overview identified what matters to the modern cannabis consumer – knowledge, and having the information they need to improve their smoke.

Fly high

When Otherness, an Amsterdam and NYC-based creative studio was brought on to flesh out the visual universe of luxury private airline, Aero, a few things were already in place. The logo, typefaces and colours of the brand, for example, were defined. “There was also a base set of photos of Aero’s jets, some mockups, and a one-pager on tone of voice,” says Founder & Creative Director Joel Derksen. The brand, though, was incomplete. With just the foundational pieces in place, it was up to Otherness to conjure a complete, comprehensive brand world that would tell the full story of Aero.

6 humourous identities

Interviews

Monkey Type

Get ready for the big reveal! After working under the radar, the masterminds behind the elusive Monkey Type have finally stepped into the limelight. Pioneered by DIA’s dynamic duo, Mitch Paone and Meg Donohoe, Monkey Type is a unique type foundry that injects a dose of fun and irreverence into typeface design. Operating independently from their acclaimed motion design studio, they’ve managed to create a striking identity of their own. Clearing the air, Donohoe and Paone lift the veil on what sparked their decision to operate incognito and the invaluable lessons they’ve gleaned from their early days as a foundry, drawing upon their motion expertise in the process. Additionally, they delve into the bold design and layout of their website, the process of naming their typefaces, and how their work at DIA and type industry insights fuel their approach.

Rain Foundry

Featuring beautiful illustrations by Taieri Eve with an almost frosted glass texture, the Rain Foundry website is unlike anything else – it shuns the monochrome ‘flatness’ sometimes associated with the industry in favour of something delicate and emotive. Its approach is unconventional, much like the story of the foundry itself. Having pivoted away from web development, the developer turned type designer, Carl Rain, chats with us about his transition into the world of type, and how the process of launching his own foundry unfolded. From typeface inspiration to visions of the future, Rain gives us insight into the inner workings of the New South Wales-based practice.

The Freelancers

In our interview series, The Freelancers, we dive into the challenging world of self-employment; discussing the highs, lows, and day-to-day requirements of freelancing at different design studios and brands as a career choice. For the fourteenth entry in the series, we had the chance to talk to Kelsey Bryden about her creative beginnings, her bold and authentic design philosophy, and why she cherishes opportunities to create and innovate. A freelance art director and designer based in Los Angeles, Bryden is known for her fun, colour-infused work characterised by play and humour. With experience at companies like Pinterest and SoulCycle, Bryden has refined her craft through a strong conceptual focus and vibrant energy, seasoned with a touch of eccentricity – mirroring the dynamic and buzzing city around her.

Insight

What is The Future of Web Design?

Welcome to The Future Of, a series presented in collaboration with digital brand guidelines platform Brandpad. Over the course of six articles, we’re speaking to the brightest designers, studios and agencies about the future of graphic design, unspooling the ideas that will shape tomorrow. In our second deep dive, we explore the world of web design. As rapidly as it evolves, what will web design look like in the future? In what ways will websites change? How will the relationship between designers and developers shift? We set out to find the answers.

Typeface

A sans serif for the ages

Fonetika, a typeface by Indonesian type foundry Tokotype, combines classic neo-grotesque influences with modern traits, resulting in a versatile and visually appealing sans serif typeface. It is inspired by the timeless elegance of the Bauer Type Foundry’s Folio typeface and was designed to be both functional and attractive. Fonetika is suitable for both print and digital applications and can adapt to various communications and media. It is ideal for corporate branding, editorial content, and UI design. The typeface also offers a monospaced variant with uniform character widths. Its authentic and timeless character sets it apart from other sans serif typefaces.⁠

Mockups

“My favourite thing about this industry and career is that you never have to wait for someone else to take action.”

Kelsey Bryden
26th June 2024

Merch

Jokker CARDS

An original pack of playing cards designed and illustrated with Displaay’s Jokker typeface. Each pack contains 54 cards, including 52 standard playing cards and 2 joker cards to complement the standard four suits. Suitable for games such as Poker and Contract Bridge. A combination of the two decks (108 cards) can be used to play games such as Canasta and Rummy.

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