Branding Next Level: Empowering Bristol’s Emerging Artists Through Bold Design
WHAT WE DID
BRANDING
DESIGN
SOCIAL CONTENT
SUPPORTING UP AND COMING ARTISTS IN THE MUSIC INDUSTRY
Next Level is back for its second year as Big Team and Bristol Beacon unite to find the best emerging talent in Bristol. The programme, aimed at singers, rappers, and MCs with live performance and recording experience, offers a paid opportunity for artists to enhance their skills and expand their abilities.
Hey! What? were appointed as the official design partners for the initiative and tasked with producing a fresh new brand that included the identity, various posters and social assets.
The project aims to boost emerging artists' creative and professional development by immersing them in professional environments to refine their writing, recording, performance, and promotional abilities. Guided by experienced industry artists and local music organisations, the initiative sets to empower the next generation of Bristol artists to take their careers to the NEXT LEVEL.
Looking to engage audiences with a strategic-led rebrand? Get in touch.
THE CHALLENGE: MAKE IT FUN
We reviewed the previous years festivals key visuals and they didn’t have the flex to feel like a festival brand. We agreed with Beacon that longevity and consistency to the festival needed a broad appeal for kids aged 3-9.
We set out to transform the festival’s identity by crafting a brand that was brimming with personality and character.
THE OUTCOME: BURSTING WITH FUN TOO MUCH FUN AAHHH FUN FUN FUN
Our creative approach centred around designing a lively troupe of charismatic characters, each symbolising a different aspect of the festival's offerings. From music and dance to art and play, these characters became the heart of the Hoo-Ha! identity, making the festival’s spirit tangible and relatable.
We brought these characters to life with a touch of animation that was used across socials and digital screens throughout the venue.
The new logo lockup builds on the Bristol Beacon brand font, reimagined for the festival with a compact, kid-friendly design that prioritises clarity and legibility. Paired with vibrant colours, dynamic shapes, and playful typography, the rebrand ensures Hoo-Ha! feels as joyful and energetic as the festival itself.
The result? A reimagined identity that doesn’t just welcome families back – it invites them to dive headfirst into a world of fun.
We’re really impressed with Hey?What! They took our brief and really made our vision come to life. They’ve been incredibly professional, easy to work with and extremely responsive. We’re really looking forward to working with them in the future.
PHOEBE HOLMAN
Next Level - Big Team Producer
