Sownd Affects

View website

https://www.sownd.co.uk/

Date

2025

Sectors

Business to Consumer, Events, Music, & Start ups

Designers

Ollie Jordan

Kian Rogers

Leah Jones

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GeoBrand partnered with the festival’s founder to lead a discovery workshop with industry experts, helping define the festival’s purpose, positioning, and long-term potential. This process led to the creation of the name SOWND Affects, a phonetic interpretation of sound that references lip reading and the physical shape of the mouth, reinforcing inclusivity at the heart of the brand.

From there, we developed the brand identity exploring concepts around sound versus noise and shifting perceptions of what sound can be. The final brand launched alongside the inaugural festival, which was a success and is now set to return in 2026, with future sub-brands planned.

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Wall of colourful Post-it notes mapping Sownd Affects values, ideas, and event concepts around sound, accessibility, and wellbeing

Sownd Affects branding workshop with a team collaborating around a table, discussing sound, wellbeing, and festival identity concepts.

Sownd Affects team collaboration photo with branding partners, showing a group seated in a studio.

The challenge

The festival needed a name, identity, and website that balanced inclusivity with excitement. It had to feel accessible without being preachy, celebrate sound rather than noise, and appeal to hearing-sensitive audiences as well as curious newcomers.

Keyword board for Sownd Affects highlighting sound, hearing, wellness, mindfulness, awareness, togetherness, wellbeing, positivity, inclusivity, and community values.

Sketchbook page showing the naming process for Sownd Affects, with handwritten notes evolving from ‘sound’ to ‘sownd,’ plus red hand-drawn soundwave and ear illustrations.

Pronunciation interface showing “sownd,” explaining how the first part of the Sownd Affects name is pronounced.

Diagram explaining the Sownd Affects name, showing ‘SOWND’ as a phonetic spelling of ‘sound’ and ‘AFFECTS’ as an open-ended reference to how sound impacts people.

Hand-drawn Sownd Affects typography sketches exploring sound waves, letterforms, and branding concepts.

Adobe Illustrator workspace showing Sownd Affects branded typography and sound wave design explorations for festival visual identity.

Our approach

We led a value proposition workshop, defined the festival’s brand essence, and developed multiple creative routes. The selected concept focused on shifting perceptions of sound, using expressive visuals and language to create intrigue, inclusivity, and memorable experiences.

Color palette for Sownd Affects featuring electric tangerine, wavy pink, ice white, and sky blue arranged in angled blocks.

Abstract pink sound wave on a purple gradient background, representing Sownd Affects, inclusive sound design, accessibility, and sound awareness.

Light Blue abstract sound wave graphic used as a Sownd Affects visual asset, representing sound, awareness, and wellbeing.

The outcome

SOWND Affects launched its brand, website, and first festival to an overwhelmingly positive response. The event will return in 2026, with plans to grow its audience, attract new partners, and introduce sub-brands built on its inclusive foundations.