The design agency Jones Knowles Ritchie presents a new spin on an old favorite with their cheery new identity system for Magnolia Bakery. As the bakery rapidly expands beyond their West Village headquarters, they wanted to freshen up their look while retaining their most classic elements. The resulting design calls back to several of the bakery’s trademarks, including a pastel palette inspired by their frosting and sprinkles, as well as mint green and checkerboard motifs that recall the shops’ floors and walls. Apartment building imagery hearkens back to their origins as a neighborhood staple, while also inspiring thoughts of the cozy, nostalgic aesthetics that were popular during their turn-of-the-century breakout. The “icing on the cake” is a swirly new logomark inspired by the meticulous swirl atop their cupcakes— which sometimes takes 40 hours to perfect!
Magnolia and JKR will continue to unfurl their new identity over the coming months. In the meantime, check out some of our favorite examples below, including a before-and-after.
Since 1996, Magnolia Bakery has been one of America’s most cherished bakeshops, setting the standard for delightful and delectable desserts. Today, the iconic institution is making moves to future-proof the business and transform from a “New York treat to an anywhere eat” with a new brand identity that brings the magic of their desserts to your door.
“Magnolia Bakery is growing, with greater focus on its direct-to-consumer business and an expanded retail footprint around the world. It’s time to evolve Magnolia Bakery’s beloved brand essence into a cohesive identity that excites both our day-one locals and consumers who may never set foot in our bakeries. We’re truly bringing the magic of the bakery to your doorstep, wherever you are,” said Eddie Revis, Chief Marketing Officer at Magnolia Bakery.
“We have created an identity that delivers on the brand’s deliciously indulgent in-bakery experience with a joyful and eclectic kit of parts inspired by our design strategy – a bite of whimsical delight,” said JB Hartford, Group Creative Director at JKR. “The new logo is inspired by the bakeshop’s trademarked cupcake swirl – which takes up to 40 hours to perfect! – and the live theater of the bakery – mixers spinning vanilla cake batter, cupcakes being iced and banana pudding being scooped.”
The updated core brand color is inspired by the iconic green of the bakery’s walls, while other colors are inspired by some of its most beloved desserts and colorful sprinkles. The bakery’s eclectic interiors come to life through playful frames and patterns, like checkerboard, while a new shipping box takes after the fabled Bleecker Street bakery and Magnolia Bakery’s West Village roots. Finally, the dynamic new logo system will prepare the brand for a full omnichannel experience.
Magnolia Bakery will roll out the new design elements over the coming months, beginning with its digital platforms, followed up by packaging and store refreshes. The brand will also continue to add new products to the D2C channel in the coming months.
For more information, visit jkrglobal.com.
