Logo Design
Spec Project: Kokomo Airlines
Beach Boy & Muppet-inspired Airline
get away from it all
Introduction:
As a 90s kid, I grew up watching The Muppets’ music video for Kokomo, which often played on Disney VHS tapes. Recently, I rewatched it for nostalgia’s sake, and as I grooved to The Beach Boys’ timeless tune, an idea began to take flight. The lyrics, I realized, would be perfect as copy for an airline serving tropical destinations like those described in the song. I couldn’t resist bringing the concept to life.
The ad features a visually striking airplane design wrapped in a serene beachscape, reflecting the tranquil getaway Kokomo Airlines offers. A playful tagline: "We'll get there fast so you can take it slow." cleverly ties the airline's efficiency to its ultimate goal—providing passengers with a seamless transition to relaxation and leisure.
On the left, the tagline, "That's where you wanna go to get away from it all," draws directly from the song Kokomo.
On the right, a Kokomo Airlines plane soars above the clouds, accompanied by the tagline "We'll defy a little bit of gravity." This phrase cleverly ties the airline's service to the song's lyrics.
Highlighting "Recipes from International Chefs," the packaging features a portrait of the Swedish Chef, emphasizing Kokomo Airlines' commitment to delivering a dining experience as memorable and adventurous as the destinations it serves. Because any meal prepared by the Swedish Chef is equally memorable and adventurous.
One design features vivid imagery of a serene coastline, visually immersing passengers in the essence of their destination. The alternate minimal version prioritizes legibility while subtly reinforcing the brand with a faded, stacked logo background.
The tagline “get away from it all” enhances the escapist charm, enticing passengers to dream of sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
One design features vivid imagery of a serene coastline, visually immersing passengers in the essence of their destination. The alternate minimal version prioritizes legibility while subtly reinforcing the brand with a faded, stacked logo background.
The tagline “get away from it all” enhances the escapist charm, enticing passengers to dream of sandy beaches and crystal-clear waters.
Featuring the vibrant Electric Mayhem band, all dressed in colorful tropical attire, the ad radiates playful warmth.
The tagline, "Aruba, Jamaica, ooh, I wanna take ya," taken directly from the iconic Kokomo song, promotions various destinations.
The placement near the departures sign reinforces the ad’s message: the journey to paradise is just a flight away.
Kokomo Airlines brings a unique twist to the boarding experience by delighting passengers with complimentary pre-flight calzones.
Kokomo Airlines’ "Pre-Flight Calzone" is a delightful homage to the series finale of ABC's The Muppets.
In a memorable scene, Miss Piggy orders a calzone from the flight attendant during boarding, only to be surprised when Kermit appears—calzone in hand. Kermit then reveals the heartfelt truth: no airline actually serves pre-flight calzones.
In fact, he’s been the mastermind behind Piggy’s beloved calzones on every flight she’s ever taken, even slipping a calzone to a flight attendant on her solo trip to Argentina.
Typeface:
To ensure versatility across various applications, the logo was designed as a typeface-based mark. Reflecting the brand’s emphasis on comfort and safety, the chosen font features geometric characters that convey a sense of friendliness and stability. The Os, in particular, evoke imagery of small islands, reinforcing the brand's connection to paradise-inspired travel.
The Ks in "Kokomo" were styled to resemble the “back” symbol on playback controls. This design choice symbolizes the nostalgic longing to return to a cherished vacation destination, encouraging passengers to “come back” with Kokomo Airlines.
Colors:
The color palette draws inspiration from the aerial views of the Florida Keys, the location of the iconic Kokomo. The vibrant teal evokes the crystal-clear, sunlit waters near tropical shorelines, radiating a sense of refreshment and escape. The deep ocean blue adds depth and stability. Together, these colors create a harmonious palette that reflects both the tranquil allure of tropical destinations and the sense of safety travelers seek when embarking on their journeys.
