In their own words
Blackletter has the right attitude, but we didn’t want it to feel overly decorative or nostalgic.
Using a serif for a nightclub felt like a deliberate shift.
They absolutely nailed it. It feels more like street photography than a render.
There’s a quiet irony in that restraint.
The brief was to connect with new audiences without alienating the core.
The new wordmark is more distinctive and carries an attitude that can live up to the strategy.
There’s a timeless quality to the typefaces that’s extremely important for a product that’s going to exist in people’s homes for decades.
The Institute sees philosophy as a force for good – a way to help people think more deeply about life and the world around them.
We explored hundreds of ideas, but kept coming back to this one. It felt effortless – simple, elegant and distinctive.
A well-chosen type pairing does a lot of heavy lifting. We needed something that could shift tone – academic but not stuffy, warm but not informal.
Articles & interviews6
- Only Reworks Blackletter Identity for London Night Venue Palais
Manchester-based studio Only developed a new identity for London night-time venue Palais, reinterpreting blackletter typography through a geometric, contemporary lens. The system draws from the building’s architecture and uses flexible monochrome applications supported by 3D renders from Culte Commun and photography by Shaun Peckham. The result balances heritage with modern energy, reflecting Palais’ dual role as a cultural and nightlife destination.
- Cambridge Audio's Rebrand Merges Heritage with Modern Culture
Manchester-based studio Only has rebranded Cambridge Audio, balancing the brand’s British hi-fi heritage with a more culturally relevant, contemporary identity. The new system, anchored by the idea ‘Made by Music,’ features a refined typographic approach using Söhne and Tiempos, a restrained color palette with burnt orange accents, and flexible use of the circular marque and logotype. Collaborations included nform studio for 3D, Jake Richardson for motion, and photographers Percy Dean and Joshua Halling.