Zinc Logo
Zinc Logo

Zinc

A bold new brand for social impact innovation

Zinc is on a mission to address some of the developed world’s most pressing social issues by building new tech companies. By combining insights from social sciences with entrepreneurial expertise and venture capital, Zinc creates scalable businesses with the potential to impact over 100 million people. The Zinc Programme brings together 50 bright minds for six months to find their co-founders and create commercial ventures from scratch – each focused on solving real-world problems.

When Zinc approached designlaboratory*, they needed a visual identity that would reflect their unique approach – combining collaboration and diverse expertise to develop mission-driven businesses. Our role was to create a brand that spoke to these values – ensuring it was both future-focused and rooted in community-driven innovation.

Discipline

Sector

Deliverables

Logo design

Team

Boris Thuery

Jack Frost

Pierre-Félix So

Ilaria Basso

Ed Kirwan

Abbie Lysaght-Mason

Date

2017

The design concept developed by designlaboratory* reflects Zinc’s collaborative approach to solving social challenges. The logo is a visual metaphor for this journey of discovery and problem-solving. Presented with 50% opacity, it invites engagement from the viewer – encouraging them to complete the equation and take part in the mission. This reflects the brand’s philosophy of seeing only part of the picture initially – with every issue requiring a deeper, more innovative understanding to unlock the full solution.

Through this identity, Zinc’s branding embodies its ethos – welcoming pioneers, innovators, and collaborators to join the cause. The brand’s visual language supports the message of transformation, community, and the big-picture thinking necessary to create lasting change.

At Zinc, we have been working with Yann, Boris and the team at The Design Laboratory from the inception of the company. They helped us with developing our brand identity, creating our visual identity and supported building our online presence and website. Furthermore, Yann and Boris have both been one of our most active fellows, working very closely with the entrepreneurs on our programmes, through weekly office hours to help advice on product, strategy, creativity and design, supporting the next wave of creative innovators. They have a unique passion for creativity and innovation, coupled with strong motivation to make a positive impact through their work, products and relationships. I personally have worked with them even before Zinc, as a Global Strategy Director in a media agency, where Yann and Boris advised us on innovation trends, consumer insights, and creativity. They are more than a vendor or supplier, they are a real partner.

At Zinc, we have been working with Yann, Boris and the team at The Design Laboratory from the inception of the company. They helped us with developing our brand identity, creating our visual identity and supported building our online presence and website. Furthermore, Yann and Boris have both been one of our most active fellows, working very closely with the entrepreneurs on our programmes, through weekly office hours to help advice on product, strategy, creativity and design, supporting the next wave of creative innovators. They have a unique passion for creativity and innovation, coupled with strong motivation to make a positive impact through their work, products and relationships. I personally have worked with them even before Zinc, as a Global Strategy Director in a media agency, where Yann and Boris advised us on innovation trends, consumer insights, and creativity. They are more than a vendor or supplier, they are a real partner.

Ella Goldner - Co-Founder & Managing Director

While our studio is located in Kings Cross, our team spans the globe, currently based in London, Florence, and Perth.

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While our studio is located in Kings Cross, our team spans the globe, currently based in London, Florence, and Perth.

©

While our studio is located in Kings Cross, our team spans the globe, currently based in London, Florence, and Perth.

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