Polestar has long had an identity crisis. After being spun out of Volvo's performance division back in 2017 to become a separate brand, the two still feel like siblings who share the same closet. They're both premium Sino-Swedish brands that pick from the same parts bin for their models, collaborate closely on engineering and are under the same Geely Group parent company.
He's been behind the lens for more than 20 years, documenting everything from World Championship wins to late-night garage sessions; Joonas is a creative who's career has been built on caffeine, duct tape, and pure stoke. Before he was Kona's in-house cinematographer, Joonas was a rider himself - a European Kona Clump athlete who lived for the same sketchy lines and photo worthy moments that he now captures on film.
In many organizations, the marketing department is responsible for developing and maintaining a strong brand identity, and by extension, the experience external parties have with that brand. But delivering a great brand experience doesn't rest squarely on the marketing team's shoulders-every department is responsible for upholding a consistent image across every customer touchpoint, but they may not always know the best ways to do that.
Ambient animations are the kind of passive movements you might not notice at first. However, they bring a design to life in subtle ways. Elements might subtly transition between colours, move slowly, or gradually shift position. Elements can appear and disappear, change size, or they could rotate slowly, adding depth to a brand's personality. In Part 1, I illustrated the concept of ambient animations by recreating the cover of a Quick Draw McGraw comic book as a CSS/SVG animation.
Remember the last time you saw a bright red can in a vending machine and immediately knew it was Coca-Cola without even looking at the logo? Or when you heard that "tudum" sound from a friend's laptop and realized in a split second that they were watching Netflix? Instant familiarity. While every brand aims for this level of brand recognition, it's elusive, built over years of hard work. But what if we told you there are strategies that can help accelerate the process? Curious how?
Familiar enough to feel nostalgic, yet dynamic enough to draw in new generations, the revamped look ushers in an exciting new era wrapped in joy. While we might think the best rebrands are about grand reinvention, sometimes a brand refresh is all you need to stand out from the crowd. With a revamped wordmark, expressive typography and a vibrant new colour palette, Starburst's new identity embodies playfulness and personality.
Mai Ikuzawa is a multidisciplinary creative with deep roots in car culture, design, and storytelling. Known for blending artistry with adrenaline, she offers a unique perspective on how luxury and sport can intersect. In her role as one of the Bentley Creative Directors, she has already begun redefining the marque's visual language for advertising and brand communication. Ikuzawa is also leading special projects, including an exclusive lifestyle collection debuting in 2026.
While I'm not typically a fan of minimalist design, some brands call for stripped-back branding, and one company that's nailing the aesthetic is Blank Street. A Gen Z favourite, the laidback highstreet coffee store knows its customers to a tee, championing chic, lowkey vibes with a deliciously Instagrammable aesthetic. Recently unveiling its slick new rebrand, Blank Street reestablishes itself as a global lifestyle brand, owning its identity as a cult favourite.
Vinyl wrapping services have emerged as a transformative tool for businesses seeking to enhance their brand visibility and identity. By offering a versatile and cost-effective solution, vinyl wrapping allows companies to create striking visual impressions that resonate with their target audience.
Every design choice in your workspace -whether it's the chairs people sit on or the way natural light flows through a room-says something.
Marketing and social media are crucial in growing a brand because a brand is something that people build trust into, not you personally.