When Music Instrument News approached me for a rebrand, I knew I was working with a vital resource for the UK’s music retail community. Since 2016, this digital platform has been the go-to source for bricks and mortar musical instrument shops across the United Kingdom, offering comprehensive trade news, instrument reviews, and information about suppliers, shows, and events worldwide.
The brand had evolved over time, beginning with a street sign design in 2016, then progressing to a gold logo featuring musical instruments. Now, it was time to give the brand a contemporary update for 2023 that would carry it confidently into the future.
My challenge was to create a logo that could represent all musical instruments and genres while incorporating the letter ‘M’ (for both Music and Musical Instrument News). Furthermore, the design needed to be responsive across all platforms. There had already been a Music Industry News website and magazine so it was decided to not use MIN as an abbreviation to avoid confusion between the brands.
Drawing inspiration from universal shapes and broadcasting icons, I developed a concept that merged a curved sound wave into an M shape. The typeface was carefully crafted to complement this design, resulting in a versatile, modern and instantly recognisable logo.
One of the most satisfying aspects of this project was the logo’s adaptability. The new design works seamlessly across web, social media and print materials, maintaining its impact regardless of the medium. To extend the brand further, I created a pattern for merchandise and built a new WordPress website to showcase the refreshed identity. www.musicinstrumentnews.co.uk
The end result is a cohesive brand that reflects Music Instrument News’ position as a forward-thinking, comprehensive resource for the UK’s musical instrument retail sector and a design that resonates with the vibrant community it serves.