Mean Audio is a New Zealand audio equipment brand whose visual identity was created by the London-based design studio Give Up Art. The studio, founded by Stuart and Emma Hammersley, is known for its work in the music and broadcasting sectors, including visual identities for FWD>>, Tempa and the Rinse FM rebrand.[1]
Design and History
Give Up Art describes itself as an independent design studio based in London, creating work across the spectrum from established businesses to start-ups and corporate clients.[2] The studio was formed in October 2006, with its founders bringing over 25 years of combined experience in design, publishing and advertising.[3]The Mean Audio logo is a typographic mark that presents the brand name in a straightforward, unadorned manner. The design relies on the letterforms themselves rather than illustrative elements or decorative flourishes, consistent with the studio’s stated approach of creating bold and effective work.[2]Meaning and Symbolism
The logo’s minimal typographic treatment reflects the brand’s direct, no-nonsense positioning in the audio equipment market. By stripping away unnecessary graphic elements, the mark lets the name itself carry the visual weight, a deliberate contrast to more ornamented approaches common in consumer audio branding. This approach aligns with Give Up Art’s broader design philosophy, which has been described as consciously moving clients away from visual conventions associated with their respective scenes.[4]Typography and Design
The Mean Audio mark is built entirely on typography, using a bold, straightforward letterform treatment. The design prioritizes legibility and clarity, with the brand name set in a manner that emphasizes weight and directness over stylistic embellishment. This typographic approach mirrors the studio’s broader body of work, which frequently employs strong typography as a central component of visual identity systems.[4]Logo Index is an independent educational archive covering logos, visual identities and graphic design history. All trademarks and brand assets remain the property of their respective owners.
