Back to Devoured - May 19, 2026
DEVOURED
Kit Studio rebrands St. John's College with craftmanship

Kit Studio rebrands St. John's College with craftmanship

Design Design Week
Kit Studio rebranded St. John's College Durham by restoring intricate detail and craftsmanship to its historic coat of arms, rejecting modern minimalism for a more traditional, yet contemporary, visual identity.
What: Kit Studio created a new visual identity for St. John's College Durham, emphasizing detailed heraldic elements, a bold red-accented color palette, and a new monogram to balance tradition and modern usability after its separation from Durham University.
Why it matters: This rebrand signals a counter-trend in design, moving away from the widespread minimalist stripping down of heritage brands and towards a restoration of traditional craftsmanship, suggesting a potential pendulum swing in branding philosophy for institutions with rich histories.
Decoder
  • Heraldic elements: Design components derived from heraldry, the system of designing and displaying coats of arms, shields, and other armorial bearings.
Original article

St John's College Durham introduced a new visual identity by Kit Studio that rejects the trend of stripping heritage brands down into minimalism, instead restoring detail and craftsmanship to its historic coat of arms. Following its separation from Durham University, the college wanted an identity that balanced tradition with modern usability, combining refined heraldic elements, a bold red-accented palette, a new monogram, and a standalone digital presence designed to feel both enduring and contemporary.

Explore all 43 articles in today's digest

Fresh dev news, AI-digested daily. Never miss a trend at devoured.fyi