Case studies

Back to the future

Venture capital firm Extantia invests in climate pioneers, specifically those creating software and hardware solutions that have the potential to redefine industries. It backs companies focused on enhancing innovations in energy, carbon removal, and industrial processes. Their reimagined identity, led by design practice and strategic consultancy Studio zur Strassen, emphasises the role of industry in the climate crisis. “While industries have been part of the problem for a long time, industrial innovation is the key to the solution,” Founder Yannick zur Strassen tells us. “Extantia is powering what could be called Industrial Revolution 2.0 – one that benefits both people and the planet. They call it Carbon-Cutting Capital.”

A ripper of a rebrand

Tezza is a photo and video editing app with a massive following that takes regular photos and gives them that cinematic edge that makes them en vogue. Founded by Tezza Barton and her husband Cole Herrmann, the platform has been growing in popularity rapidly since it was founded in 2018. Over the years, it has evolved into more than just a photo and video editing app, becoming “a creative destination for millions of users looking to refine their content and establish their brand identity,” says Alex Ostroff, Founder & Creative Director at Saint-Urbain, who were entrusted with reimagining Tezza’s identity. As Ostroff points out, with over 2.5 million active monthly users, hundreds signing up for in-person meet-ups, and an ever-expanding set of tools, Tezza needed a brand identity that could grow alongside its ambitions. “The goal was to move beyond a purely functional tool and position Tezza as an aspirational yet accessible brand for creators,” he tells us.

Flow and clarity

Serving over 2 million users, CoinTracker’s evolution from a startup in 2017 to an industry leader has positioned it as a key player in crypto accounting. Reflective of an increasing demand for reliable crypto tax solutions, this growth led them to find fresh ground with a new brand and website and develop an industry-leading B2B digital asset accounting product, CoinTracker Enterprise, with the help of technology-driven design studio Bakken & Bæck. CoinTracker promises more than just software, it strives to provide genuine peace of mind. The platform enables users to focus on what truly matters, streamline their processes, and navigate complexity with remarkable ease. This is succinctly captured in the brand concept – “Crypto accounting in perfect flow.”

A multisensorial rebrand

With Italy’s reputation for homeware and furnishing design, Elica exemplifies Italian excellence and innovation. While they are primarily known for their elegant range hoods and kitchen ventilation solutions – where sophisticated engineering meets distinctive Italian design – they’ve expanded their offerings to include cooktops, ovens, and wine cellars. To accommodate this growth, Elica required a unifying visual language that marries the company’s legacy with its future prospects for the next stage of its lifespan.

‘Manifesto del Macchinismo’ (a manifesto embraced by many Italian artists that emphasises the value of machines in everyday life) serves as the driving force behind Elica’s new brand expression. Developed by global brand consulting firm Landor, the rebrand positions Elica as a company that celebrates innovation in the kitchen across the board while maintaining a distinctive aesthetic and identity that reflects its pioneering DNA.

Interviews

Pay Close Attention

Talk to Jay Kossifos for a while, and it becomes clear that he likes to build things. His venture studio, Pay Close Attention (PCA), is a testament to that drive. At PCA, Kossifos works with brand, strategy and investment to shake-up established brands and bring new ones to life. PCA is neither just a brand studio nor just a venture capital firm – instead, it’s a considered blend of the two that was born as a response to the gaps Kossifos saw in how brands were being built, scaled and funded.

“I knew there was a smarter, faster, and more culture-driven way to build and scale brands,” Kossifos tells us. Here, in this conversation, he takes us back to the founding of the studio. Along the way, he also unpacks what sets PCA apart, the biggest mistakes founders make, and why cultural relevance isn’t about chasing trends, but about defining them.

CoType Foundry

What’s new with CoType? To accommodate its ever-growing roster of typefaces, including RM Family, Lock Family, and Orbikular, the London-based type foundry has unveiled a new and improved website – featuring a wholly redesigned checkout system – and expanded language support across its catalogue. Mark Bloom, Director & Founder of CoType Foundry, and Diana Ovezea, Senior Type Designer, describe the site’s development in more detail while providing us with an update on the foundry’s latest happenings. With several new additions to their showstopper Aeonik, including Condensed and Extended versions and broader language support, the duo reflects on the legacy of the type family and reveals how it has evolved into an increasingly global family of fonts.

Typefaces

Uxum 2.0

Deviating from the neutrality that many grotesk typefaces pride themselves on, Uxum – a “noisy” grotesk – has personality in abundance and a clear cultural voice.

The starting point, explains Designer & Coordinator Julien Fesquet, was a commissioned typeface based around Basque stone carving traditions. “Luc Chaissac (Producer), Vincent Lacombe (Type Designer), and I,” he tells us, “decided to refine it fully, rethinking the letterforms and considering how we can enrich the glyph set by making it more meaningful in relation to its origins.”

The trio aimed to develop a complete typeface that would include all the necessary glyphs and weights. They thoroughly investigated stone carvings in Roman heritage, and rather than simply copying traditional Basque letterforms or “reintroducing stereotype shapes like the A-bar”, they sought to understand the underlying principles and techniques that gave these characters their defining qualities.

Mockups

“Being a founder takes tenacity and lunacy in equal measure.”

Jay Kossifos, Pay Close Attention
4th April 2024

Jobs

On the hunt for sublime sans serifs?

Assets

Chroma-1 Industrial Graphics Pack

This curated collection of digital sculptures forged in the uncompromising strength of industrial chrome. The 6k resolution PSD master file contains 36 editable objects and eight unique lens flares, as well as adjustable grain and background colour settings. The files are also pre-exported as high-resolution jpg and png files alongside the fbx 3D files.

Useful links

• Apply for a feature

• Post a job for free

• Visit our directory

• Search for inspiration

• Visit our store