Nouvo, a newly established independent design studio in 2023, draws influence from the Art Nouveau movement while infusing its work with a modern flair. Founded by Venus, an independent brand and graphic designer, Nouvo aspires to seamlessly merge contemporary and timeless elements in its designs. This is done by striving to integrate organically intricate concepts and harmonic compositions while creating appealing yet functional graphic design works that interest and inspire.
From Nouveau to
During the Art Nouveau period, artists and designers tried to go in the direction of modern design and create an authentic movement devoid of past art forms' influence. Design and the arts were then pushed to progress beyond only aesthetics to include the blending of functionality, aesthetics, and overall design. I believe that today it plays a significant role in brand identity and storytelling.
Both the Nouvo logo type and logo mark contain traces of Art Nouveau inspiration, such as dynamism and movement, as well as asymmetry and inspiration from natural forms such as the curves of plants and flowers.
In Nouvo’s word mark, the letter 'O' forms a little pattern that also attempts to reflect the blooming of a flower, the representation of 'new'. The asymmetry in the 'O' that forms the petals is a nod to one of the Art Nouveau movement's hallmarks of retaining both form and function.
Colours
Nouvo's colour scheme is comprised of muted earth tones that are inspired by the plants and florals of the Art Nouveau movement but have been updated and modernized to be more timeless in terms of colour usage in terms of brand identity. The primary colours are dark grey, cream, and off-white, with secondary colours of a faint olive and pink.
This concept is expanded upon by developing secondary graphics as needed for future collateral, such as web applications, as shown on the landing page of this website. The dynamism and asymmetry may be noticed here once more. The continual rotation is a modern twist on a loading bar as well as a visual play on the ideas of forward motion and indefinite evolution.
Concept to reality
Brand collaterals such as business cards and website design, are then created to aid in marketing the studio and functions as a test run on how adaptable the design can be.
