Purple Banana

Kao Data operates high-performance data centres for advanced computing with hyperscale-inspired facilities east and west of London driven by sustainability.The BriefKao Data and their PR partners commissioned us to support the design and creation of their inaugural ESG report for 2022. Having never produced a long-form report like this before, combined with the importance of this report for procurement and investment opportunities they needed a creative partner who understood the intricacies of ESG reporting.The ChallengesData centres are notoriously energy-hungry businesses with an environmental footprint that can often be overwhelming. London-based Kao Data, have spent the last decade developing their high-performance centres with sustainability considerations at the forefront of their efforts. However, when asked to provide details of just how they’ve done that, they lacked a go-to visual overview document. Something that more and more stakeholders wanted to see.Sustainability Sector Visual LanguageTo resonate with professionals in the sustainability sector, we strategically incorporated visual cues and universally recognised symbols, such as the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) icons. This helped demonstrate how Kao Data aligns with specific metrics and global sustainability targets, reinforcing their commitment to responsible business practices.Data VisualisationRecognising the complexity of Kao Data’s diverse set of data and information, we meticulously crafted tables and infographics organised into thematic sections. These summaries were accompanied by contextual copy that humanised the data, providing stakeholders with a deeper understanding of Kao Data’s sustainability efforts. Additionally, we included comparative data to track progress, setting the foundation for future reporting and continuous improvement.

In November 2020, the Founder of Betknowmore UK approached our team considering a rebrand of his social enterprise that helps those with gambling-related harm recover their lives.The launch was to coincide with the re-launch of Betknowmore UK as a registered UK charity.At the time, Betknowmore UK faced the challenge of having an outdated brand that didn’t properly reflect the positive support they offered, and awareness of the charity wasn’t as high as they’d like. Alongside this, their previous website was starting to become out-of-date and their team weren’t able to keep key information updated and refreshed when needed.Over the period of 6 months, our team worked with Betknowmore UK to dig deep into their purpose and bring their positive, support-based mission to the forefront of their visual identity. Collecting feedback from both internal and external stakeholders, from clients to funders, we identified that more than anything a fresh and vibrant colour scheme and design system was desperately needed to modernise the charity’s image.Whilst awareness of the charity was limited at the time, they were well known in a small niche sector of stakeholders so it was vital that the rebrand was delivered and communicated clearly to avoid any future confusion.Our team delivered a bold and inviting new brand identity that took core visual features from the previous brand and incorporated them into the new system to keep awareness of the old brand alive and to allow the Betknowmore team to communicate the rebrand clearly to both new and old stakeholders.As part of the rebrand, we also delivered a brand new site for the charity built on Webflow - a powerful, open-access CMS that delivers the right balance of client access to allow them to keep their content up-to-date and current.With new features, such as a bespoke digital self-help section on the site for those seeking self-led support - the site has seen a 30% traffic increase each quarter since launch.

Biskitz are a start-up charity based in South London supporting children and young people with Special Educational Needs and Disabilities (SEND), specifically within the borough of Lewisham.The BriefThe trustee team at Biskitz commissioned Purple Banana to bring their new startup charity to life. Commissioning a brand strategy and verbal identity, combined with a visual identity.The ChallengesAs a start-up charity, we needed to maximise the Trustees’ availability to ensure they were able to support the creation of the brand strategy and visual identity. Through a series of sprints, we were able to co-create without lengthy turnaround times.Strategy and Verbal IdentityWe crafted a brand strategy and verbal identity guidelines that resonated with the audience, emphasising inclusivity and empowerment and equipping the charity with clear, consistent messaging. By harmoniously balancing the visual and verbal aspects of the brand, we empowered the charity with a cohesive and compelling identity, enhancing outreach efforts, and establishing a meaningful connection with beneficiaries and stakeholders.Local FocusThe charity was founded by parents from within Lewisham, and its focus is children and young people specifically within the borough. To ensure the brand was reflective of the local community, we ensured the visual identity choices were consistent with the needs of the children, young people and families of Lewisham.The BrandThe Biskitz logo was inspired by the use of Makaton and BSL within many SEND schools, featuring two hands as a nod to the tactile nature of the language. The hand-drawn feel to the lettering gives the logo a playful feel without sacrificing clarity, communicating the empathy, confidence and joy at the heart of the brand.