News 09.05.2025

Need to Know

Uniqode weaves humanity into digital brand identity, Rose Coffey’s Foresight Friday and why US consumers are using buy now, pay later services for groceries.

Koto NYC weaves humanity into Uniqode’s digital-first brand identity

Uniqode by Koto, UK

US – Design agency Koto NYC has reimagined QR code management platform Uniqode’s brand identity. Leaning into the tactile act of scanning, the new concept uses a cross-stitch metaphor to show how scanning a QR code connects the physical and digital worlds.

The design language features imperfect ASCII-style stitches, kinetic patterns and a bespoke typeface, Uniqode Sans, with subtle stitch-like forms. The master grid driving these patterns dictates layouts, icons and motion paths, creating a visually consistent and distinctive system.

Recognising that QR codes often lack personality and recall pandemic-era menus, Koto injected warmth, playfulness and humanity into Uniqode’s new look. An animated plug-in transforms code into expressive moving visuals, while a stripped-back, jargon-free brand voice ensures the platform feels approachable and user-first.

Uniqode’s new brand identity aligns with our The Synthocene Era macrotrend report, which unpacked how the convergence of human and machine intelligence will change the world as we know it, impacting everything from biotechnology to packaging and brand identity.

Strategic opportunity

Brands operating in utility-driven digital spaces should incorporate craft, tactility and visual storytelling into their interfaces and identity to humanise digital interactions and foster deeper cultural connection with customers

Foresight Friday: Rose Coffey, senior foresight analyst

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, senior foresight analyst Rose Coffey discusses Vivobarefoot’s circular footwear system, characters as brand tools and why the Met Gala’s celebration of Black dandyism must lead to something more lasting than red carpet moments.

: As a self-proclaimed connoisseur of ugly shoes, I can’t stop thinking about Vivobarefoot’s VivoBiome Tabi Gen 01 sandals. The 3D-printed shoes are crafted using scan-to-print technology, meaning they’re fully bespoke to fit the wearer’s anatomy. The ‘circular footwear system’ is being positioned as a return to human-centric design, one that combines barefoot health benefits with localised, zero-waste production – I am so here for it! For more on 3D-printed fashion head to our Fashion Month A/W 2025–2026 download.

: In other news this week, I really enjoyed reading a piece in Creative Review by Charlie Sells, which argues that character design is fast becoming a brand’s secret weapon. I’ve been thinking about the evolution of mascots for a while and loved his description of them as ‘vessels of personality and cultural relevance’. From Duolingo’s owl, famous for his persistent (sometimes passive-aggressive) reminders, to the anthropomorphised smile of the Scrub Daddy kitchen sponge, these characters bring identity, relatability and humour to the everyday. 

: I look forward to the first Monday in May more than I do my own birthday and this year was no different. The Costume Institute’s 2025 exhibition, Superfine: Tailoring Black Style, brought Black dandyism to the forefront. Attendees paid homage to the rich tapestry of Black fashion history, with a focus on menswear and the power of tailoring to articulate identity and reject societal prejudice. It was a reminder that visibility must not be mistaken for structural change. Moments like this matter, they shape culture, influence design and will no doubt appear on countless brand moodboards. What’s needed now is sustained, systemic representation and long-term investment in Black creatives across the industry.

Karina Bond Autumn Winter 2025. Photography by Jude Black, London, UK

Quote of the week

‘We all get dressed…when we think about Dandyism as a strategy and a tool for negotiating identity, I do think that’s something that everybody understands’

Monica Miller, guest curator, Met Gala 2025 (source: The Guardian)

Stat: US consumers turn to buy now, pay later for groceries amid recession fears

Muffato Go in collaboration with Sensei, Brazil Muffato Go in collaboration with Sensei, Brazil

US – One in four Americans are now using buy now, pay later (BNPL) services to finance groceries, up from 14% last year, according to a recent LendingTree survey. The rise reflects mounting economic pressure and growing consumer concern over a potential recession. 

‘It’s pretty clear that as people struggle with inflation and other kinds of economic uncertainty, people are looking to things like BNPL loans to help them extend their budget,’ said Matt Schulz, LendingTree’s chief consumer finance analyst. 

While BNPL was once used primarily for luxury purchases, Schulz noted, ‘now people are looking at it for things like groceries and food delivery’. 

The survey of 2,000 US adults also found that 41% of users paid back their loans late in the past year, although most repaid within a week. Young people, men and high earners were most likely to miss payments. 

Our New Codes of Value report explores how eroding brand trust and shifting consumer behaviours in an era of economic uncertainty are reshaping what value means today. 

Strategic opportunity

Consumers are rejecting outdated ideas of limitless time and mindless spending. Design products and services that save time and money, offer flexible access and reward smart choices

Previous News Articles
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Gen Z : Gen Beta
British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

News

British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production.
Gen Alpha : Music : Media
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

News

De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

De Beers Group has announced the closure of Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, signalling a strategic retreat from the synthetic jewe...
Luxury : Sustainability : Jewellery
Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

News

Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

Gender bias in money matters is pushing British women out of financial conversations, according to new research commissioned by digital wealth mana...
Finance : Diversity : Inclusion
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
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