Branding the Outlier -A Deep Dive into the Branding Journey of Vinci Motorbikes

Client: Vinci

Scope: Brand Identity Design

Deliverables: Rebrand - Logo, Color Palette, Typography, Visual Language, Brand Applications

Year: 2024

Overview

When Vinci approached us, they weren’t just looking for a logo—they were searching for a brand soul. Vinci is a bold new entrant into the world of product engineering, with services spanning hardware development, mechanical engineering, electronics, and IoT. They were looking to position themselves not just as solution providers, but as visionaries in innovation.

Our task: Translate complex, industrial expertise into a clean, confident, and creative brand identity that speaks to both B2B clients and startup founders hungry for disruption.

Discovery & Strategy

We began by diving deep into Vinci's DNA—founder interviews, competitor analysis, and market research. We distilled the core of Vinci into a simple but powerful narrative:

Vinci is the bridge between invention and reality.

This narrative became the north star that guided every design decision. We chose to embody a brand voice that was:

• Precise like engineering specs.

• Optimistic like a startup’s first pitch.

• Timeless like Da Vinci himself.

Initial Rough Sketches

Logo Design – The Vinci Monogram

During our initial conversation with Team Vinci, it became clear that they resonate deeply with the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci and are captivated by the magnetic allure of black holes—symbols of powerful pull and infinite curiosity. Inspired by these themes, our early concept explorations delved into visual interpretations of the black hole, the Vitruvian Man, and even the iconic imagery of the first step on the moon.

The symbol we've designed is a multi-layered visual metaphor, rooted in Vinci’s core inspirations. At its foundation, it draws from the imagery of two black holes—cosmic forces of immense gravity and mystery—merging together.

This collision signifies powerful transformation, boundless curiosity, and the fusion of knowledge and creativity.

Interestingly, the form also echoes the simplicity of a pair of wheels—symbolic of movement, innovation, and progress. Wheels set things in motion, much like Vinci’s ideas and initiatives that push boundaries forward.

When viewed as a whole, these elements converge to form an abstract owl-like motif. The owl, often associated with wisdom, clarity, and watchfulness, becomes a fitting metaphor for Vinci: ever-curious, always observing, and driven by a desire to uncover the deeper layers of truth and beauty. As a silent guardian, it embodies the brand’s thoughtful, visionary spirit—one that honors the past (Da Vinci) while constantly exploring the future (the cosmos).

The Colour System

The palette creates a high-contrast, premium aesthetic. It's ideal for a brand that wants to appear wise yet modern, mysterious yet approachable. Whether paired with bold typography, abstract graphics, or cinematic photography, this color system ensures every touchpoint feels distinctly Vinci.

• The Reds reflect passion, innovation, and Vinci’s desire to challenge the ordinary—an ode to the Renaissance spirit.

• The Darks evoke mystery, space, and intellectual depth—tying into the black hole metaphor and cosmic curiosity.

• The Neutrals support clarity and accessibility—ensuring that while Vinci explores deep ideas, communication remains grounded and clear.

Typography

The Vinci Motorbikes wordmark utilizes the Acumin Variable Concept font, reinforcing consistency across the brand's visual identity. By using Black Italics for headings and Light for body text within the same font family, we've created a cohesive yet versatile typography system. 

This approach allows us to maintain a unified brand presence while introducing subtle variations that enhance readability and emphasize key messages.

The Iconography

The iconography for Vinci Motorbikes employs a distinctive blending style that harmonizes with the brand's rebellious and futuristic narrative. 

The use of overlapping lines and layered designs reflects the complex, multi-dimensional nature of the brand, inspired by the genius of Leonardo da Vinci and the enigmatic force of a black hole.

It was based on the following -

• Intricate Linework: The layered lines mirror the intricate and innovative thinking of da Vinci, symbolizing the depth and thoughtfulness behind each design element of Vinci Motorbikes.

• Modern Minimalism: The sleek, minimalist approach ties in with the brand’s commitment to cutting-edge technology and forward-thinking design, reinforcing the explorer and creator archetypes.

• Unified & Edgy Aesthetic: The consistent color palette, paper textures and visual style of the icons blend seamlessly with the other brand elements, such as typography and color schemes, creating a cohesive brand identity that stands out as both sophisticated and rebellious.

• Narrative Synergy: The abstract and symbolic nature of the icons aligns with the brand's narrative of defying convention and exploring the unknown, much like how a black hole challenges our understanding of the universe.

The Brand Pattern

This brand pattern serves as a visual representation of Vinci's core values—exploration, rebellion, and creativity. The organic, swirling lines resemble planetary surfaces, tying directly into the Explorer archetype. This pattern evokes a sense of uncharted territories and the unknown, mirroring the mysterious allure of black holes. It can be used to make a bold statement without overpowering the overall design, allowing the narrative of Vinci as a brand that dares to venture beyond the ordinary to resonate subtly yet powerfully.

The Illustration System

The mixed media style of illustration provides Vinci Motorbikes with the flexibility to depict travel in various settings creatively and engagingly. By combining elements like torn paper, abstract shapes, and layered textures, this approach allows for the seamless integration of different environments—urban, natural, or futuristic. 

The use of black-and-white imagery paired with bold, modern accents can be adapted to evoke different moods or themes, whether highlighting the nostalgia of a cityscape or the adventurous spirit of a wilderness journey. This versatility enables the brand to showcase travel and exploration in diverse and visually compelling ways, keeping the narrative fresh and aligned with Vinci’s innovative and boundary-pushing identity.

This illustration style for Vinci Motorbikes reflects the brand's core archetypes through a mix of urban and abstract elements. The city skyline and dark, starry sky represent the Outlaw’s rebellion, while the torn paper symbolizes breaking boundaries. 

The rider against the cityscape embodies the Explorer’s spirit of adventure, with mixed media layers suggesting new territories to chart. The bold red circle and concentric linework highlight the Creator’s artistic vision as well as galactic gridlines, blending different media to showcase innovation, imagination, and meticulous design, inspired by Da Vinci.

Final Thoughts

Working on Vinci was not just a branding exercise—it was an exploration. From the very first conversation, it was clear that this wasn’t a conventional brief.

The team behind Vinci brought a rare mix of intellectual depth and imaginative freedom, referencing everything from the philosophy of Leonardo da Vinci to the mystique of black holes. That gave us the space to create something truly layered—where every visual decision carried symbolic weight. The process was highly collaborative, exploratory, and rewarding. We weren't just designing a logo or selecting a color palette—we were uncovering the soul of a brand with an outlaw mindset and a visionary lens.

Whether it was conceptualising the emblem that subtly nods to black holes and forms an abstract owl, or curating a palette that feels rebellious yet refined, every step felt like a dialogue between art, science, and story.

Vinci challenged us to push past surface-level design and build a system that could communicate depth, curiosity, and silent power. It reminded us why we love what we do—to help bold thinkers craft identities that are as unconventional and ambitious as their ideas.

As Vinci moves forward, we’re excited to see how this brand identity continues to evolve and pull others into its orbit.