MYB Textiles, the trading name of Morton Young and Borland Ltd, is a Scottish lace and madras manufacturer based in Newmilns, Ayrshire. The company was founded in 1900 in the Irvine Valley of Ayrshire, Scotland. [1] Over the past 20 years, Morton Young and Borland has developed the MYB Textiles name, adding a contemporary edge to their proud heritage. [1]
Design and History
In 2012, Glasgow-based design agency Graphical House was commissioned to reinvigorate the traditional MYB Textiles brand. [2] The agency created a new marque that is a contemporary take on the monogram that has adorned the factory door since the 1920s. [2] The project was part of a broader effort to reposition MYB into a contemporary space, evolving the brand and telling the MYB story to engage with new audiences. [2]
Graphical House’s work extended beyond the logo itself. The agency adopted a refined approach to layout combined with rich photography to develop a suite of communication material showcasing the product and telling the story of tradition and heritage. [2] The full scope of the graphic design work included printed collateral, stationery, web design and a short film. [3]
Meaning and Symbolism
The monogram draws directly on the company’s heritage. According to Graphical House, “For over 100 years, a small town in North Ayrshire has been the world leader in lace production. To reinvigorate the MYB Textiles brand the monogram which has adorned the factory door since 1920 was re-imagined to create a contemporary marque and identity.” [4]
The new monogram retains the original’s unusual but authentic combination of slab and full bracketed serifs and its distinctive, extended B, while making slight adjustments to the under and overlaps, now emphasised by cuts across the intersections that appear to expertly “weave” together the three letter-forms. [4] The ampersand and LTD were removed to make way for more internal space, and a two-stroke line weight was replaced by one, achieving a far more restrained interpretation without compromising its established character. [4]
Typography and Design
Alongside the monogram, a well-spaced sans-serif logotype was placed underneath. [4] The identity was executed across a collateral choice of uncoated, tactile substrates that reflect the craft and quality of the lace. [4]
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