How COVID-19 / Coronavirus is Influencing Marketing and Design
What a world, hey? Hasn't everything changed in the last few months, with the spread of COVID-19 / Coronavirus, companies around the world are changing their marketing due to the pandemic. Whether it's companies closing their doors, or struggling to survive, others like supermarkets are generally thriving and struggling to keep their shelves stocked with essential items.
However, a few big companies have tried to take on innovative, new ways of marketing through the use of design and social media. Social distancing was a word not too common 3-4 months ago, and now it's a household term, known all around the world. Whether it's to keep 1.5m metres away, or 6 feet, whatever measuring system you'd like to use, it's so important to control the spread of the virus and reduce the risk.
Lets have a look at a few companies and how they've used design to encourage social distancing due to COVID-19.
Audi Social Distancing Logo
Audi have spread their rings, usually joined, to demonstrate social distancing in their logo. They're encouraging people to 'keep their distance' with a message and video from one of the biggest automotive brands in the world. Simple, effective and animated, moving the rings apart from each other clearly gets the message across to their viewers.
Mercedes Benz 3 Pointed Star Social Distancing Logo
As you continue through this article, you'll notice a bit of a trend – auto makers. Anyway, Mercedes Benz joined in the social distancing logo trend for COVID-19 by altering their three pointed star logo, moving the points away from the outer ring. They encouraged people to 'stay at home' to stop the spread of the deadly virus.
Volkswagen's New Logo Demonstrates Social Distancing
Volkswagen recently updated their logo and it hasn't taken long for their designers to start playing around with it in creative ways. Like Audi and Mercedes Benz above, they've "social distanced" the contents of their logo, this time separating the V from the W within the outer ring of the logo. It's perhaps not as... beautiful as the two above logos, but the message still gets across, and further thanking people to keep their social distance through this time of crisis.
McDonald's Arches Separate To Demonstrate Social Distancing
The last logo I've spotted which has encouraged social distancing during COVID-19 is Brazil's alteration to the McDonalds logo. By separating the famous golden arches of the McDonalds symbol, social distancing surrounding Coronavirus is encouraged. It's hugely strange to see such an iconic logo altered in such a way, and has also come under some criticism in the media for doing so.
I'll certainly be keeping an eye out for any other logos, marketing media and advertising that encourages social distancing during the time of Coronavirus. It sure is a changed world, and safety is paramount in this time. The message that Audi, Mercedes Benz, Volkswagen and McDonalds have provided is a reminder with good intention, but also gives their companies exposure in what is not only a health crisis but an economical one too.