News 03.02.2021

Need to Know

Plenty’s rebranding takes design cues from McDonald’s, Unilever trials portable production and values-driven Generation Z research companies before buying.

A salad brand adopting fast food aesthetics

Plenty by &Walsh, US
Plenty by &Walsh, US
Plenty by &Walsh, US

US – Design agency &Walsh has taken inspiration from fast food restaurants in a visual identity update for vertical farming company Plenty.

Helping the salad brand to stand out from traditional green clichés, the rebranding includes a bright colour palette reminiscent of McDonald’s and a sans serif font that aims to make the produce it grows more appealing to a mass audience. This aesthetic extends to Plenty's website, social media platforms, packaging and new merchandise line to unite its messaging and create a friendly persona.

‘Fast food companies often use red and yellow colours in their branding, which have been shown to make people feel hungry, [so] why not use this technique for healthy foods?’ says Jessica Walsh, founder of &Walsh. Deviating from the typical green visual cues of other healthy food brands, Walsh adds that ‘we wanted to create a friendly and happy brand that also stood out on the shelf from the competition’.

Plenty’s rebranding will capture consumers tired of overused design tropes that feel inauthentic or worthy. Discover more food brands taking visual cues from junk food in our macrotrend Total Tastes.

SEEN’s skintelligent shampoo won’t clog pores

SEEN, US SEEN, US
SEEN, US SEEN, US

US — SEEN is a new haircare brand designed to be non-irritating or pore-clogging for skin on the face and back.

Developed by Harvard-trained dermatologist Dr Iris Rubin, the brand considers the impact that residue from shampoo and conditioner can have on people's skin post-shower. While something most haircare brands overlook, SEEN recognises the importance of formulations that are created similar to skincare.

Launching with a shampoo, conditioner, a blow dry cream and a curl cream, the products are made without harmful ingredients like sulphates, silicones and parabens, while fragrance-free options are offered for people with sensitive skin or fragrance allergies.

In this way, SEEN is placing dermatology at the core of its offering. ‘Aspiring to be more than just a beauty company, SEEN’s mission is to build people’s confidence by promoting great skin and great hair – without compromises,’ explains the brand in a press release.

In our Skintellectual Haircare microtrend, we consider the ways that skincare rituals are informing people’s hair routines, while SEEN takes this a step further by focusing on the impact of haircare residue on overall skin health.

Unilever’s digital factories localise manufacturing

Global – Unilever is trialling a hyper-local manufacturing model that can operate from a 40-feet shipping container.

The FMCG company has created its small-scale operations with the aim of creating flexible production lines around the world. Now being piloted in The Netherlands, these nano-factories are designed to respond faster to local market changes or can be used to create goods for product trials. The ease with which the containers can be moved or reformatted means Unilever can also tailor production to specific areas or locations.

Transforming raw materials to packaged goods, the internal space is fully digitised, operating via a platform eco-system (PES), whereby sensors inside the container continuously report on relevant data, allowing adjustments to be made remotely.

Using this system for trials links up with Unilever’s larger sustainability goals as it diverts from mass manufacturing, reducing material waste as a result. ‘This reflects a new dynamic model where thousands of nano factories could be run from a central system, allowing us to have flexible production lines wherever, and whenever, needed,’ explains Olivera Trifunovic, engineering manager at Unilever.

In a similar vein, Fast Fabrication explores the shift towards shorter supply chains that utilise local materials and automation in the fashion sector.

Unilever

Stat: Generation Z research brands before buying

Coreva biodegradable denim by Closed Coreva biodegradable denim by Closed

Generation Z consumers are increasingly led by their values when it comes to engaging with brands.

A study by Forrester reveals that over half (51%) of Gen Z aged 18–23 will always research a company to make sure it aligns with their views on corporate social responsibility (CSR) before making a purchase. Meanwhile, reflecting shifting attitudes towards brand alignment, the percentage of Gen Z who said that 'it’s cool to be associated with a brand on social media' fell to 46% in 2020, from 52% in 2019.

The study also describes this generation as ‘truth barometers', reporting that 54% of teenagers have moved away from a brand because of its ethics. Forrester highlights that, while Gen Z expect brands to take a stance on issues, organisations can risk being seen as ‘performative’ by this generation.

While young consumers are especially conscious of CSR initiatives, a wave of Post-purpose Brands are pushing back against tokenistic efforts to focus instead on long-term betterment.

Previous News Articles
Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

News

Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show invites visitors to interact with AI-enabled trees in the Avanade Intelligent Garden.
Technology : Nature : Sustainability
ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

News

ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

ITV is pushing the boundaries of inclusive storytelling with the launch of its new prime time drama Code of Silence, starring BAFTA-winning actor a...
Media : Diversity : Inclusion
Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

News

Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living and unaffordable housing are fuelling a surge in adult children returning to the family home.
Family : Home : Youth
Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

News

Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

Manchester City Football Club has marked the launch of its 2025/2026 home kit with a short film that playfully blends football fandom, nostalgia an...
Sports : Design : Creative
Vinted tops France’s fashion market as second-hand sales surge

News

Vinted tops France’s fashion market as second-hand sales surge

Second-hand platform Vinted has overtaken Amazon and Kiabi to become France’s top clothing retailer by sales volume, according to new data from the...
Fashion : Sustainability : Retail
Stat: Nearly half of UK shoppers prefer in-store retail – but body image challenges persist

News

Stat: Nearly half of UK shoppers prefer in-store retail – but body image challenges persist

As consumers’ desire for in-person connection increases, nearly half of UK shoppers now prefer to shop in-store, according to new research.
Stats : Stat : Retail
China’s online sports and equipment sales are booming

News

China’s online sports and equipment sales are booming

The sports apparel and equipment sector continues to be one of the highest-growth key consumer sectors in China, according to brand agency Hot Pot ...
China : Sports : HotPot China
Hinge teams up with writers on Substack to tell ‘real love stories’

News

Hinge teams up with writers on Substack to tell ‘real love stories’

Dating app Hinge is expanding its storytelling strategy with the second instalment of its No Ordinary Love campaign.
Dating : Substack : Pop Culture And Media
Stat: US consumers expect brands to lead on climate and DEI

News

Stat: US consumers expect brands to lead on climate and DEI

As some businesses have been quietly rolling back diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) programmes, new data shows consumers want brands to step up...
Stat : Statistic : Dei
Students win national award with DIY loom tackling fast fashion

News

Students win national award with DIY loom tackling fast fashion

A team of students from Cambourne Village College in Cambridgeshire has won the Design Museum’s Design Ventura 2025 competition with Loopy Loom, a ...
Design : Sustainability : Circularity
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN