Trademark documents reveal Nissan's stylised flat logo

Japanese car brand Nissan has filed a trademark application for a flat monochrome logo that would see it join other brands opting for minimalist rebrands.

Documents filed in Great Britain, Peru, Uruguay, Chile, and Argentina show that Nissan has registered a flat, two-dimensional update of its existing logo.

The design references the two geometric forms that comprise the current logo – a circle with a rectangle overlaid – but reduces these to a pair of stylised lines enclosing the Nissan logotype.

The font is also reduced in weight and elongated slightly for a more agile aesthetic.

Images of the new logo have been circulating online, but when approached by Dezeen for comment, the company said the trademarked logo "may or may not be used for future products and or services".

Carmakers follow minimal rebranding trend

If the logo is released, Nissan would join the trend for flat identity redesigns that are simpler and better suited to digital applications.

It would echo the redesigns of other automotive manufacturers including BMW, MINI and Volkswagen, which have all recently adopted flat, two-dimensional logos.

Nissan's original logo can be traced back to when the company took control of DAT Motors (formerly Datsun). Datsun's logo featured a blue rectangle placed over a red circle – representing Japan's flag.

The company introduced the current chrome-effect logo in 2001. The three-dimensional reinterpretation of the original shapes was described as representing the "sophistication, modernism, creativity and perfection" in Nissan's products.

Flat logos are optimised for online

The new flat logo is more in line with many brands that are eschewing the skeuomorphic style of recent decades. Skeuomorphic graphic designs feature embellishments such as shadows and metallic effects, intended to give the illusion of three-dimensions.

Flat design uses simple two-dimensional elements that render more efficiently when used online. This makes it easier for them to load faster and scale more smoothly.

Other brands that have adopted flat design identities recently include Mastercard, which switched to a minimal emblem and a lower-case logotype positioned outside the symbol.

British condom manufacturer Durex has also opted for a flattened logo featuring a font it called One Night Sans, while food delivery service Deliveroo launched a simplified rebrand in 2016.

The post Trademark documents reveal Nissan's stylised flat logo appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/2ybzm1Z

NHS launches fund for innovations to help vulnerable people during coronavirus isolation

The UK's National Heath Service has put a call out to find and fund "innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating" during the coronavirus outbreak. 

Named TechForce19, the competition has been launched by NHSX – the technology development department of the National Heath Service (NHS).

The competition is looking for technology-based solutions to support communities looking after isolated and vulnerable people during the coronavirus Covid-19 outbreak. As many as 20 entrants will receive £25,000 from the government to develop their proposal.

Funding of £25,000 available to 20 innovators

"NHSX is calling on all innovators who can support the elderly, vulnerable and self-isolating during Covid-19 to apply for government funding of up to £25,000 to test their solution," explained NHSX.

"We believe new technologies can help support the vulnerable, elderly and self-isolating as COVID-19 continues to spread."

TechForce19 is specifically looking for solutions in three areas: improving organisation and access to social care in remote locations; improving staffing organisation for volunteer and professional and in the area of metal health.

The competition is not looking for solutions to clinical problems relating to the coronavirus outbreak.

Applications, which will be judged on feasibility, credibility, impact and digital maturity, will be open until 1 April.

Over one million vulnerable people in UK advised to stay home

The coronavirus has infected over 9,500 people in the UK and has caused the deaths of over 450 people. It has put a huge strain on the health service in the country.

In response to the escalating pandemic the UK government has placed large parts of there country on lockdown. It has advised around 1.5 million people who are over 70 or vulnerable to remain at home for the next 12 weeks.

The competition responds to the fact that these people could become isolated during the lockdown.

Across the UK restaurants pubs, theatres, cafes and numerous other business have been forced to close, while numerous other in non-essential jobs are working from home.

Designers are responding to the coronavirus in numerous ways. Experience designer Bompas & Parr has launched a design competition to rethink hand sanitisers, while the Global Grad Show has launched a competition for designs that address critical issues resulting from the coronavirus outbreak.

Numerous graphic designers have created illustrations to advice people on how to slow virus, while cartoonist Toby Morris and microbiologist Siouxsie Wiles created a serious of animated illustrations to show the importance of social distancing.

Follow all our coverage of the coronavirus pandemic here.

Main image by Sabine van Erp from Pixabay.

The post NHS launches fund for innovations to help vulnerable people during coronavirus isolation appeared first on Dezeen.

from Dezeen https://ift.tt/39maNfJ

Typefaces which are all about having fun and good spacing: Ohno respects history without reinventing the wheel

Personality and spacing reign supreme in these wonderful typefaces by James Edmondson.

from It's Nice That https://ift.tt/2WM0Q8O

A Margaret Atwood puppet show and much much more to be expected from the BBC’s Culture in Quarantine festival

The broadcaster has announced a schedule of programming “rooted in the experience of national lockdown” plus an emergency fund to support artists.

from It's Nice That https://ift.tt/33Kd5Ee

Documenting places and roasting people where necessary: meet photographer Sean Bradley

On his search for uncomfortable stories, the LA-based photographer has captured the likes of Louisiana Mudfest and the most recent Trump rally.

from It's Nice That https://ift.tt/3aki2WR