KoraHQ Visual Brand Identity Design & Motion Graphic Design
Kenny Owolawi
Brand Designer
Graphic Designer
Motion Designer
Adobe After Effects
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Kora
Kora has existed for years, aiding Africans in securely facilitating seamless cross-border payments to meet their personal and business requisites.
Formerly known as "korapay," Kora lacked a robust brand presence due to several factors, including intense competition within the fintech sector and the absence of a distinct brand identity.
Teaming up with the design agency Onewildcard, I assumed the roles of Visual Designer and Art Director for the identity overhaul. Our mission encompassed the creation of a comprehensive rebranding campaign, a corporate identity manual, and a campaign strategy. These initiatives aimed to address the brand's identity shortcomings, establish clear differentiation for its product range, and strategically position Kora for enhanced brand effectiveness.
The name "Kora" comes from an African Stringed musical instrument. This naming ties in with the pan-african focus of the brand and this formed a basis for further exploration into a Visual Identity concept for the brand.
Animation created for the kora logo.
The Identity took the direction of translating the beautiful and calming vibe of a kora instrument into a brand that visually portrays the diverse expressions you can get from a musical instrument, with a cool and calming undertone that is predominant with the kora.
This visual direction also targets the mostly youthful and digital-savvy consumers of the services that Kora provides. The identity aims to be professional but a little laid back and human.
This is reflected through the color, typography, and graphical expressions of the brand.
Typography
Typography
Colors
At the core of the visual identity lies the wave motif, derived from the original logo design.
The Kora Wave.
This usage of the wave motif was inspired by the concept of sound traveling. Here, the wave takes on the role of a metaphor for expansive financial transactions, accompanied by emotional gratification reminiscent of encountering a beautiful sound or a captivating musical piece.
This aligns perfectly with Kora's essence, as the brand empowers both individuals and businesses to execute their financial transactions seamlessly across extended distances within the African continent.
Graphic System
The inspiration drawn from sound waves also guided the development of a more delicate pattern system, designed to complement the primary Kora Wave graphic element.
wave pattern
waves in motion
Image style
Digital designs
Digital Content Motion Design
The complete visual identity springs to life through the crafting of branding collaterals.
In this application, the interplay of color, typography, and graphic systems converges, yielding distinctive materials that set Kora apart from its competitors and establish the brand's recognizability.
Mockups
The final task involved creating a Motion Graphic video to communicate the Kora Brand Relaunch.
Styleframes were designed in alignment with the newly established visual identity system. The script aimed to convey the multiple possibilities enabled by Kora's services.
All these elements were animated to produce a unique video that announces the rebirth of the Kora brand.
