Manifold is a Melbourne and Sydney-based interior design practice crafting timeless, contextually grounded spaces. Working across residential, hospitality, wellness and commercial projects, their approach is founded in utilitarianism, blending functionality with aesthetic refinement to create interiors that are both practical and visually rich.

Services

  • Brand Identity
  • Brand System
  • Creative Direction
  • Digital
  • Website Design & UI
  • Website Development

Credits

Photography: courtesy of Manifold and Traianos Pakioufakis
Typography: Arizona Flare (Dinamo), Neue Haas Grotesk, HW Cigars (Heavyweight Type)

BRIEF

Approaching its fifth year, Manifold sought a comprehensive new brand identity and website to align with their growth and design philosophy, and enhance local and international recognition as an established studio. The identity needed to feel timeless yet approachable, blending historical and contemporary influences to resonate with design-conscious clients, without leaning into overly trendy aesthetics. In line with the broader branding project, there was also opportunity to evolve the name from ‘Studio Manifold’ to simply ‘Manifold’, signalling a distinct move forward.

RESPONSE

We looked to draw from the visual contradictions of contemporary and timeless, sourced and made, local and international, to create an identity that would establish a harmony between disparate elements.

Our approach was layered, with typography forming the base of the system. Fundamentally simple, three contrasting typographic styles function as a unified whole. Each style is allocated to a specific function within brand communications, and then integrated together in a relaxed, conversational manner, with visual harmony established through equal scaling.

The Manifold logotype merges these core typographic styles, sans and serif, with a subtle flaring and variation between curved and straight edges; at the same time sharp and soft, structured yet expressive. This is complemented by an starburst icon — four repeating Ms which create eight repeating folds, each representing a letter of Manifold. With contrast between soft and sharp edges, its star-form nods to creativity, motion, ideas and innovation. These elements are brought to life through an expressive colour palette, each colour categorising a specific project type to establish an identifiable system.

Working with beautifully documented project photography, we wanted to ensure that the brand system would platform images to stand most prominently, particularly on the website. The homepage and project index are designed to scroll infinitely through project imagery, anchored by a reductive three column grid. Negative space and minimal project information make a graphic statement of each image within the browser frame.

A consistent typographic rhythm underpins all applications, with subtle and consistent use of elements — text and icon at small scale and colour applied through text. This subtlety creates opportunity for considered moments of ‘pop’, such as on the contact page of the website, or in documenting process of custom-designed pieces.

OUTCOME

Manifold’s new identity and website is shaped to reflect the core principles of their interior practice, whilst positioning them for future growth. A fundamentally simple system of layered elements, the brand is complemented by beautiful project photography, establish a harmonious and distinctive design language and sophistication that underpins their diverse portfolio of projects.