Plugged In

Founded in 2007, Plugged In has been an independent music agency delivering bespoke campaigns across various media platforms including TV, radio, publicity, social media, and podcasts. Their roster boasts renowned artists such as Haim, Little Simz, Headie One, Mabel, Phoebe Bridgers, Bon Iver, Rina Sawayama, and many more. In collaboration with Linzi Symons, the new Director of Social Media Strategy, I was entrusted with the exciting task of giving Plugged In a brand refresh. The aim was to create a logo and brand identity that authentically represented the diverse range of artists under the Plugged In umbrella without leaning towards any particular genre. Given that the majority of Plugged In's artists cater to a youthful demographic, it was imperative that the branding resonated with this audience by feeling current and relevant.

Services

➢ Logo & Visual Identity Design

➢ Motion Graphics

➢ Template Creation

The Concept

Plugged In specialises in executing strategic PR campaigns for artists across diverse genres, prioritising a quality over quantity approach. It was crucial that the branding reflected this ethos.

Beginning with a series of initial logo designs, I utilised the 'P' from 'Plugged In' as a starting point, paying homage to the old logo. I then started to incorporate relevant music imagery into the designs, crafting a range of options to present to the client. Following positive feedback, a route was selected, which was then fine tuned and developed into a series of logo lockups.

The chosen design merged the 'P' with a vinyl visual. Thick black lines were added for playful detailing and impact, which injected energy and personality. Paired with the playful sans font Neue Haas Grotesk Display Pro, the logo is perfectly suited for all digital platforms as well as resonating with the artists’ youthful demographic.

Branding Development & Template Creation

During the development phase of the logo design, I created a variation featuring an illustrated hand holding a jack lead. Although this design wasn't chosen as the final logo due to its complexity, Linzi expressed a strong interest in incorporating it within the visual identity. Through experimentation, I came up with the idea of using it as a transition device for the logo animation (see above).

Building upon this concept, I created a series of other illustrated icons to be used across all branded assets. Taking inspiration from my initial logo designs, I crafted a range of icons to reinforce the brand identity. During this phase, I experimented with secondary colour options, exploring a variety of solid colours and gradient backgrounds, allowing flexibility across various applications.

In addition to developing the visual identity, I also constructed a series of templates tailored for use across social media and decks, ensuring that Plugged In is presented cohesively across all touchpoints.

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