Latest news with #Koto


Fast Company
6 days ago
- Business
- Fast Company
Lyft just got a new logo—can you spot the difference?
BY Lyft just got a new logo, but you probably didn't notice it. Over the past few weeks, Lyft has quietly rolled out an updated logo, broadened color palette, and custom typeface on its app and across its social media platforms. The new look, designed by the branding studio Koto, is meant to serve as a natural progression of the brand's existing identity, injecting it with a subtle boost of structure and maturity. According to Arthur Foliard, Executive Creative Director at Koto, the changes come at a 'pivotal moment' for Lyft, which is currently testing out an expansion into autonomous driving and slowly gaining on its main competitor (and dominant industry player), Uber. In an interview with Fast Company this May, Lyft CEO David Risher noted that, since he joined Lyft in 2023, the company has brought its market share in the U.S. from 26% to 31%. Lyft's blink-and-you'll-miss-it new look follows in a recent trend of larger brands, like Walmart and Adobe, skipping the 'big rebrand' that ruled the branding world several years ago in favor of understated-yet-practical refreshes. Lyft's new look Looking at Lyft's new identity next to its old is a bit like a game of spot the difference. But one key detail in the logo immediately jumps out: The playful path connecting the f and t characters has been severed. 'The Lyft logo is one of the most recognizable in tech, so we approached it with a lot of care,' Foliard says. 'The original had a ton of character, but it wasn't optimized for the way the brand shows up today, especially in smaller, digital contexts. The ligature between the 'f' and 't' in particular caused legibility issues and sometimes felt overly stylized.' Lyft's previous logo (top) and new version (bottom) [Image: Koto/Lyft] To preserve the visual cues that make Lyft's logo recognizable, Foliard's team broke up the ligature but kept the spirit of the mark's swooping, bold letters the same. Besides the newly separated f and t characters, the rest of the logo has been just slightly slimmed down and realigned. 'We adjusted the weight, spacing, and proportions to make the wordmark feel more confident and contemporary, less ornamental, more intentional,' Foliard says, adding, 'The result is a logo that feels mature without being cold. It still has that signature Lyft charm, but now it holds up wherever it appears, from app icons to car decals to national campaigns.' That focus on versatility was also applied to Lyft's color palette and typography. 'Lyft Pink,' the company's signature shade of neon purplish-pink, has been given a more focused role. Whereas Lyft Pink was previously used more wholesale across the branding, Koto built out an accompanying palette of off-whites, deep pinks, and neutrals to keep the bright hue reserved for the most important moments of the brand, like the logo. One feature of the branding that was entirely overhauled is its typography. Foliard says Lyft was previously using several functional typefaces that 'while serviceable, didn't quite capture Lyft's warmth and humanity.' So, in collaboration with the type design studio NaN, Koto's team created a custom typeface for Lyft called Rebel Sans. It's a classic-looking sans serif, available in a range of weights, that echoes the logo with flourishes like a half-smile shape in the y character. 'We wanted it to feel like it had been made by people, for people,' Foliard says. 'It features distinct humanist details—slight line weight variation, gentle curves, and subtle flares—that bring a sense of the human hand into both display and text. Underneath it all, it's grounded in a more geometric structure, giving it the clarity and sophistication needed to scale across the brand.' Lyft gets the baby botox treatment Lyft's spruced up identity is the latest in a series of similar approaches from other major brands. If the early 2020s were the heyday of the major rebrand, and 2024 was the era of the dialed-back ' brand refresh,' then 2025 is currently seeing an even more minimal wave of branding baby botox. This year, several brands have moved away from headline-grabbing overhauls in favor of small updates that are intended to fly under the radar. For an ultra-recognizable brand like Walmart, this approach is meant to avoid alienating the customer by shedding too much core brand affinity at once. In January, Walmart introduced its biggest branding update in two decades—an update that, rather than actually replacing any assets, instead opted to simply spruce up the existing look with brighter colors and chunkier shapes. Other brands, like Amazon (which also worked with Koto on its logo touch-up) and Google, have similarly rolled out new logos in recent months that would likely require a trained eye to spot. In May, Mother Design studio, which gave Adobe's logotype a subtle facelift, encapsulated this trend by explaining that its goal was to create an update that 'looks as if it's always been there.' For Lyft, Foliard says, this new branding 'wasn't about changing who Lyft is,' but rather about sharpening what was already there. 'The timing felt right to strike that balance between evolution and preservation, ensuring the brand could grow with the business while keeping the heart and humanity that made it iconic in the first place,' Foliard says. The super-early-rate deadline for Fast Company's Most Innovative Companies Awards is this Friday, July 25, at 11:59 p.m. PT. Apply today. ABOUT THE AUTHOR Grace Snelling is an editorial assistant for Fast Company with a focus on product design, branding, art, and all things Gen Z. Her stories have included an exploration into the wacky world of Duolingo's famous mascot, an interview with the New Yorker 's art editor about the scramble to prepare a cover image of Donald Trump post-2024 election, and an analysis of how the pineapple became the ultimate sex symbol More

Travel Weekly
02-07-2025
- Travel Weekly
Tripadvisor gets a site refresh for its 25th anniversary
Celebrating its 25th year in business, Tripadvisor has launched a brand refresh that puts travelers' photos front and center. Photography used on Tripadvisor's website, app, ad campaigns and owned channels will all come from users who have uploaded pictures onto the platform, Tripadvisor said. "These authentic, sometimes imperfect images capture the energy and excitement of real travel experiences and help the brand shine a spotlight on a wide array of travelers with different passions and interests," Tripadvisor said in a statement about the refresh. Tripadvisor has also updated Ollie, its owl-shaped logo, which will now be dynamic, with eyes that move and change depending on the content. And Tripadvisor's signature green hue will be a brighter and bolder green, it said. Creative studio Koto partnered with Tripadvisor on the rebranding.

Associated Press
30-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Associated Press
The Sound of Japanese Spirits presented by Kanazawa Asanogawa Enyukai Hall
This Summer, the Masters of Traditional Japanese Music Share the Aesthetic Soul of Japan Through Sound KANAZAWA, Japan, June 30, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- This summer in Kanazawa, a rare opportunity awaits: a transcendent musical experience where Japan's deepest cultural sensibilities are brought to life through sound. 'The Sound of Japanese Spirits' is a new series of performances designed especially for international travelers, offering a window into the soul of Japan through its traditional music—enhanced with English narration. From July to August, this intimate series of concerts will welcome masters of Japanese instruments including Koto, Yokobue flute, Min'yō folk singing, Wadaiko drums, and classical Hayashi ensemble music. These artists are not only virtuosos in their fields but also cultural ambassadors, many based in Kanazawa and acclaimed across Japan for their artistry and refinement. Set in the atmospheric Kanazawa Asanogawa Enyukai Hall, a historic venue nestled in the heart of the city's preserved chaya district, each performance features a duet of musicians delivering rich, immersive renditions of Japan's ancient soundscape. More than a concert, it is a multi-sensory experience—one that invites reflection on the elegance, discipline, and spiritual depth embedded in Japanese culture. This new initiative follows in the footsteps of the Hall's acclaimed geisha stage performances and rakugo storytelling events, marking another milestone in Kanazawa's ongoing efforts to present its cultural heritage in meaningful and contemporary ways. Whether you're passing through Kanazawa or making it your destination, these Friday afternoon performances offer a resonant memory of Japan—crafted for the mind, heart, and spirit. To learn more about this unique cultural experience, you can also check the full event listing on Kanazawa Biyori: Event Details Dates: Every Friday, July 4 – August 22, 2025 Time: 16:00 PM – 16:50 PM (Doors open at 15:45 PM) Venue: Asanogawa Enyukai Hall, Kanazawa Tickets: ¥6,000 (incl. tax; non-refundable; not open to children under 7) Reservations: Online, available until 15:45 PM on the day of each performance Scheduled Performers: Utafusa Tsuriya – Koto Tamae Mochizuki – Hayashi percussion Mai Tosha – Yokobue flute Garen Kitamura – Koto Aya Kagayama – Folk vocals Hiroyuki Iwaki – Wadaiko drums **Organizer & Contact:** Asanogawa Enyukai Hall, Kanazawa TEL: +81-76-256-0908 Contact Information Company Name: Kanazawa Biyori Co., Ltd. Address: Sanpia Izumigaoka 511, 255 Fushimishinmachi, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa 921-8172, Japan Website: [email protected] Representative: Tatsunori Kita Phone: +81-76-255-7663 View original content to download multimedia: SOURCE Kanazawa Biyori Co., Ltd.
Yahoo
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Performers audition for MTA music program
NEW YORK (PIX11) — The commute can be loud and irritating. A melody can change the tempo of the train. Listen to the music under New York. More Local News The MTA's official program is celebrating its 35th Anniversary. It's a part of the agency's art and design office. Wednesday at Grand Central Madison, more than 50 artists auditioned for a panel of judges. They were selected from acts that submitted demos for the open call. Marquis Sayles plays the saxophone. 'When the riders stop, if they stop. You have something special,' he said. Yut Chia is a violinist, subway performer, and judge. 'I could be in the subway, a big hall, or a stadium. It's all the same to me. It could be one person. I'll put in the same energy and passion for the music,' Chia said. The selected artists will be assigned space at transit hubs for special performances. The program is celebrating its 35th anniversary this year. Declan and Erik are a band known as Cupid's Nemesis. 'The train passes, and we sing as loud as we can. You can hear yourself all the way down the tunnel,' they said. MTA Arts & Design says the artists are judged on 'quality, appropriateness for the transit environment, and musical variety with the goal of increasing the number of genres represented in the program.' Azusa SHESHE Dance is serving as a judge. She's also an artist. 'The subway trains will drown you out. You have to be comfortable, passionate, have fun, and have a good time,' she said. More: Latest News from Around the Tri-State New members will be announced in June. 'Under the banner of the MTA's MUSIC program, performers of all stripes bring beauty and joy to millions of subway commuters and visitors,' said MTA Arts & Design Interim Director Juliette Michaelson. Buskers are permitted to perform in the system. The MTA's rules say they cannot block pathways or block access to the trains. Individuals and groups participated this year with styles that include singer/songwriters, jazz, folk/country, pop, classical, opera, R&B/funk, tango/waltz, one-woman band, and Renaissance/Baroque. You'll be hearing the saxophone, guitar, trumpet, accordion, clarinet, cello, violin, Japanese Shakuhachi, Koto, Venezuelan cuatro, South American flute and pan flute, and hand pan. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
14-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A modern collection of tiny homes is available in the US for the first time starting at $52,000 apiece — take a look
UK-based architecture firm Koto makes cabins that are available in the US for the first time. The Niwa collection of minimalist tiny homes comes in four sizes from 67 to 403 square feet. The sleek cabins, priced from $52,000 to $187,000, could be used as a backyard office or a sauna. Call it a cross-cultural connection: Koto, a UK-based tiny-home firm that fuses Scandinavian and Japanese design, is now delivering to US customers. Founded in 2017, Koto specializes in cabins, modular homes, and sculptural small-scale architecture for residential and wellness-focused spaces, including hospitals. Its flatpack collection, Niwa, is a series of sustainably crafted cabins that can be delivered as panels and assembled on-site. "Our designs are like Ikea," Koto cofounder Jonathan Little told Business Insider. "But instead of a box, they go into a container. They can be shipped around the world and installed pretty much anywhere." The Niwa comes in four sizes: small (67 square feet), medium (135 square feet), large (269 square feet), and extra large (403 square feet). Prices range from $52,000 to $187,000, with additional costs for custom features and upgrades. It is the brand's first modular design that is available worldwide. Following a consultation, customers can purchase a design license from Koto, priced between $938 and $2,152. This cost is not included in the cabin price and is refunded after the cabin is purchased. While clients are responsible for securing permits and hiring local contractors for site prep and installation, Koto offers support throughout the process. It can also be hired for concept site design and landscaping. Each Niwa unit is constructed in a European factory and shipped to the US in panel form. Depending on the location, it is delivered via truck, helicopter, or boat. Koto began shipping Niwa units — which can be used as backyard offices, saunas, gyms, guest houses, Airbnbs, or anything else — to the US in April. It has already built units for customers in Massachusetts and has other planned installations in Los Angeles. Tiny homes — also known as accessory dwelling units, or ADUs — are popular across the US. Several states, including California, Vermont, and New York, even offer grants to help homeowners build them on their properties. For some, ADUs provide a more affordable path to homeownership. For others, they offer an income-generating opportunity through rentals or a practical way to create additional living space when the square footage in a main house is limited. "We're seeing such a diverse requirement for our cabins, both from private individuals all the way up to hotel owners," Little said. Take a look inside the three Niwa models available in the US. The design of the Niwa cabins channels clean, contemporary minimalism. Each Niwa unit has essential features, lighting, and a heating and cooling system. Depending on the size of the unit ordered, a bathroom or kitchenette can also be included. Koto designed the Niwa collection of tiny homes with nature in mind. Niwa units are designed to blend into their surroundings and support both on-grid and off-grid living. Koto builds its cabins using natural materials. The structure is built with sustainably sourced timber. Meanwhile, the exterior cladding is made from Shou Sugi Ban timber — wood treated with a traditional Japanese charring method that makes it fire-resistant. Koto builds its cabins using natural, sustainably sourced materials. The main structure is made from responsibly harvested timber, while the exterior features Shou Sugi Ban — wood charred using a traditional Japanese method for added durability and fire resistance. Interior finishes vary by unit type; studio cabins and units people can sleep in typically feature oak or birch plywood, while saunas are finished with hemlock, spruce, or cedar. Koto wants the people who buy its homes to reconnect with the outdoors. Little told Business Insider that Niwa's nature-centered design was inspired by his own move from busy London to Norway, where the pace of life is slower, and there's a greater emphasis on the outdoors. "London has a real fast-paced life," he said. "You work a lot of hours, then go home, rest, and do the same thing the next day. Moving to Norway was the opposite. It was like, yes, get your work done, but be outside with your friends and family, be in the woods in nature." Each cabin can be installed in under a month. Niwa cabins typically take eight to 12 weeks to manufacture, with shipping adding another two to four weeks, depending on the destination. Shipping costs vary by location, but the company estimates US deliveries cost around $9,000. According to Koto's website, installation for each unit may take four to 14 days. The collection comes in four sizes: small, medium, large, and extra-large. According to Koto, the Niwa small unit, which measures about 67 square feet, is ideal for use as a studio or sauna. The ceiling height ranges from 5.9 feet at its lowest point to 11.8 feet at its peak. The design license fee for this unit is about $940, and the base price starts at $55,286. The cabins' interior design is simple yet stylish. The interior finishes of the Niwa units typically feature wood and soft, earthy tones like browns and greens. This medium-sized Niwa cabin comfortably fits up to six people when used as a sauna. A medium-sized Niwa measures about 135 square feet and can include a kitchenette, a small bathroom with a shower, and a bed. It's best suited for a single-room sleep cabin, studio, or sauna. According to Koto, the cabin makes an ideal private office or garden studio. If used as a sauna, it features upper and lower benches with tiered seating for six to eight people. The sauna also includes a separate changing area. The licensing fee is $1,603, and the cabin's base price starts at about $72,957. Koto also sells furniture for its cabins. Customers can also purchase furniture packs from Koto for an additional price. These packs, which range from $7,119 to $9,379, include items like lights, couches, desks, chairs tables, and shelves. The large Niwa has space for a full-size bathroom. The large Niwa cabin offers enough space for a living room, a kitchen, and a full bathroom with a shower. Like the smaller models, it's ideal as an office or sleep cabin and can also be used as a gym, according to Koto. The unit measures about 269 square feet, has a licensing fee of $2,156, and starts at $116,100. The extra-large Niwa comes closest to a traditional ADU structure. With 403 square feet of space, the XL Niwa cabin is well-suited as a self-contained studio, gym, or guesthouse. Its generous size makes it the closest match to a traditional ADU within the modular flatpack collection and the best option for long-term stays. Its licensing fee matches the large model at $2,156, with pricing starting at $187,000. "I think this one is closer to the ADU market, while the slightly smaller models are better suited for Airbnb or hotel use," Little said. Read the original article on Business Insider