Planet Lodges rebrand. A new standard

Client
Planet Lodges
Design
External
Expertise
Branding, Project Oversight
Year
2022
Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsBanner
A founder-aligned identity reintroduction, governed end to end and delivered as a complete, usable brand system.

Context

Planet Lodges was entering a new phase that required a clearer, more refined identity to match the guest experience: genuine Tanzanian hospitality delivered with care and calm sophistication. The previous mark functioned as a basic monogram, with limited meaning beyond initials and little ability to express sustainability or long-term intent. The reintroduction anchored direction in the founders’ original reference point: Sage, chosen to symbolise harmony with nature, balance, and renewal, then translated into an owned emblem and a system designed for consistent use.

End-to-end oversight covered project planning, external designer selection, briefing, founder alignment, and structured approvals, delivered fully remotely with disciplined decision control.

Scope: Creative Briefing & Intent; Agency & Vendor Coordination; Sign-off & Feedback Control; Stakeholder Reporting.

Challenge

— Move from a generic, initial-led mark to an owned symbol with clear sustainability meaning
— Set a premium, quiet tone that feels timeless and natural, without losing warmth
— Maintain founder alignment through controlled reviews, clear options, and clean sign-off stages
— Deliver a system that external teams can apply without interpretation drift

Approach

— Planned the project structure and approval stages before design execution began
— Sourced and assessed external designers, shortlisted three, then appointed the best fit for capability and founder working style
— Authored the creative brief, including success criteria, non-negotiables, and inspiration boundaries
— Supplied curated references to anchor the direction in Sage-led nature symbolism and refined hospitality cues
— Managed the founder-to-designer loop, translating feedback into clear, actionable direction and preventing visual drift
— Guided option reviews towards the most durable identity route, suitable for long-term use and future investment
— Oversaw full system delivery: logo suite, palette, typography hierarchy, patterns, brand board, and organised handover folders

Visuals I

Identity clarity and symbol ownership, showing the move from initials to a sustainability-led emblem designed for continuity.
Visuals: Old logo vs new logo comparison; primary logo presentation; logo variations (emblem left; emblem only; centred); colour palette part 1 (primary)

Planet Lodges Logo Slider
Before
After
Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsHeader
Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsColor Palette

The rebrand was handled perfectly. The quality is exactly what you would want, and I would recommend this approach to anyone without a second thought.

Director
Planet Lodges

Visuals I​I

Inspiration and imagery direction, defining what the brand references and how future photography should appear.
Visuals: Inspiration and imagery references; imagery direction for future use; colour palette part 2

Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsInspiration

Visuals I​II

System discipline through typography and pattern work, extending recognition beyond the mark into repeatable brand texture.
Visuals: Typography system (Ageo; Riverflows; The Billion); brand patterns; pattern application; and digital signature

Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsTypography
Planet Lodges Rebrand Case Study VisualsPatterns & Applications
PL Signature mockup

Outcome

— Delivered a complete, organised identity kit across five folders: Logo; Official Fonts; Brand Board; Colour Palette; Brand Patterns
— Produced a full logo system: Primary; Secondary; Centred; Logomarks/Icons
— Established the approved typography set: Ageo (primary); Riverflows and The Billion (secondary)
— Introduced two patterns to extend recognition and add depth across digital and print use
— Supported a higher internal benchmark for brand investment, contributing to later renovations and a refreshed website direction