Welcome back, design lovers! ??

Design Feast here, your one and only source for the latest design news and sizzling hot trends.(yes it's a reference to Gossip Girl ??)

This month, we have a heavy agenda to discuss. So, please ensure your seat backs are in the upright position, fasten your seat belts, and get ready to unleash your creativity! ??

1. WHAT'S UP!

?? Crushed logo

As part of its new global out-of-home (OOH) campaign, "Recycle Me" 可口可乐公司 twists its iconic logo to encourage consumers to recycle their used Coke cans. The new logo is inspired by the appearance of the logo on crushed cans during the recycling process.

?? New logo from Lamborghini

Automobili Lamborghini S.p.A. unveils its new logo after 20 years. Driven by a new strategy, the brand's restyling represents a complete overhaul of its visual identity, symbolizing its shift towards electrification and decarbonization.

Embracing a minimalist and contemporary aesthetic, Lamborghini joins the ranks of car companies such as Volvo and Audi, that have transitioned to more simplified logos in recent years.

?? Lego's new brand identity

the LEGO Group reveals its updated brand identity, drawing inspiration from comic books. This design refresh aims to enhance global recognition while honoring its rich history and maintaining its core mission of fostering children's learning through play.

The new design elements will be integrated across physical products and digital platforms, ensuring a unified brand experience. Additionally, as a part of the rebrand, Lego introduces its first dedicated typeface, Lego Typewell.

Visual identity and logo play a crucial role in the perception and recognition of a brand. They often serve as the initial point of contact between a company and its audience, instantly conveying its identity, values, and personality. However, we must not forget that ?design is more than just a pretty logo or a beautiful interface.

It?is a powerful tool that can help brands differentiate themselves, have a positive impact on the world, and create value. To know more about how design, in all its facets, acts as a catalyst for change in brands and beyond ! ??

2. HOT & TRENDY

??Phone case with multiple features

When Hailey Bieber's brand, rhode skin , launched the "Lip Case", a phone case specifically designed to hold its best-selling Peptide Lip Treatment, the product quickly went viral and sold out in no time. Despite its release on Valentine's Day, it still continues to spark conversations.

This viral phone case highlights a growing trend of integrating complementary products into phone accessories, reflecting a practical approach to everyday essentials.

Porsche AG and 亨氏 are among the brands that have benefited from this trend to celebrate consumer loyalty, engage with them, and generate online buzz. Both brands have developed their own cases to help consumers ensure staple products are always on hand: in this case, ketchup and car keys.

This exemplifies how a deep understanding of consumer needs and creative designs can help a brand to stand out in a competitive market.

3.UNLEASH THE FUTURE

In a world where beauty standards constantly evolve and technology reshapes our perceptions, there are always certain norms dictating what it means to be beautiful. These standards often exert pressure on individuals to conform to specific ideals. Now, with the rise of artificial intelligence, we face a new frontier in the battle for real beauty. Digitally altered images blur the line between reality and fantasy, presenting new challenges.

?? Beauty standards in the age of AI

A study conducted by Dove sheds light on the current state of beauty worldwide: "Today, almost 9 in 10 women and girls report exposure to harmful beauty content online. One in three women feel pressure to alter their appearance due to online imagery, even when they know it's fake or AI-generated.

To mark the 20th anniversary of its Campaign for Real Beauty, Dove has reaffirmed its commitment to challenging societal norms, media representations, and industry standards to redefine the definition of beauty.

The brand has promised to never use AI in place of real people in its advertising. With forecasts suggesting that 90% of online content will be AI-generated by 2025, Dove has taken further action by introducing the Real Beauty Prompt Guidelines. These guidelines offer practical assistance in creating more representative images in AI-generated content.

?? Miss AI

The World AI Creator Awards (WAICA) is organizing the first beauty contest dedicated to AI-generated avatars: Miss AI. Only participants entirely created by artificial intelligence are eligible to compete in this contest, scheduled for May 10th.

4. CHANGEMAKERS

?? Return the basics with Boring Phone

The HEINEKEN Company and Bodega have introduced The Boring Phone, deliberately crafted with limited tech capabilities to encourage Gen Z to disconnect and prioritize social connections. This nostalgic nod to early 2000s devices offers only basic functions like calls and texts, embracing the popular "newtro" design trend (a mix of new and retro) with its transparent casing and holographic stickers.

Debuting at Milan Design Week, the Boring Phone offers a limited run of 5,000 units distributed to celebrities, influencers, and the public.

This product reflects the increasing inclination among young adults to reduce reliance on smartphones and prioritize authentic face-to-face interactions. A study commissioned by Heineken and OnePoll underscores the prevalence of tech distractions, with 90% of Gen Zers and millennials in the U.S. and U.K. admitting to excessive phone use, even during social gatherings.

5. BEYOND BOUNDARIES

?? Smells like McDonald's

麦当劳 has launched a campaign featuring billboards that emit the scent of their "iconic" French fries. In a creative move, McDonald’s Netherlands has placed odor-emitting billboards in Utrecht and Leiden, strategically located within 200 meters of their restaurants.

These blank billboards, devoid of any McDonald’s branding or products, rely solely on the smell of their fries to attract attention. Leveraging their iconic scent as a key brand asset, McDonald’s aims to trigger food cravings in passersby and direct them to nearby restaurants.

How does it work? Packets of fries have been inserted into the billboards, and ventilators distribute the smell through small holes. To catch a whiff of the scent, individuals need to approach within 5 meters of the billboard.

?? Want to keep the design discussion going or share feedback on this newsletter? Let's get in touch!