The Louis Armstrong New Orleans International Airport (MSY) just got a new logo, and theres more to it than meets the eye.
The updated logo dropped just in time for the upcoming Super Bowl, when an influx of out-of-state fans will bustle through MSY on their way to the Caesars Superdome arena. MSY is taking advantage of the increased publicity, using it as an opportunity to scrap its old logoa blobby, clunky take on the fleur-de-lis thats more of an eyesore than an homagefor a sleeker, more intriguing graphic.
From left: The new logo outshines its predecessor [Image: courtesy Louis Armstrong International Airport]
Called the Plane de Lis, the new mark is packed full of winks to the city of New Orleans and the airport itself. As the name suggests, its meant to evoke both an airplane and a fleur-de-lisa stark contrast to the former logo, which simply shoehorned a plane into a scene dominated by the iris design.�
The Plane de Lis is celebratory, almost musical, MSY wrote on its Facebook page. Its a plane taking flight, upward and optimistic, modern and memorable.
[Image: courtesy Louis Armstrong International Airport]
The new logos wings resemble two sprays of water shooting upward, a reference to the fluidity and influence of the Mississippi River, according to MSYs new brand guidelines. The teardrop-shaped tip of the fleur-de-lis is inspired by the body of a plane taking flight. And, the guidelines note, the logos negative space [mimics] the interior architectural details of MSYlikely referring to the crisscrossing white beams that decorate the airports ceiling.
[Image: courtesy Louis Armstrong International Airport]
To complete the brand transformation, MSY ditched its previous tech-adjacent blue color scheme for a more upbeat palette, anchored in Pantone Julep, similar to kelly green. Accent colors include Fresh Fern, Beignet, French Quarter Rouge, and Fleury Pink.�
[Image: courtesy Louis Armstrong International Airport]
These new details really shine in a series of speciality patterns made for the brand. Designers used only the logo and its accompanying colors to create a textile-esque wrought iron pattern, which lends the whole project a luxe, high-end feel.
MSYs fresh look is a decided improvement, tapping into New Orleanss cultural history without any forced overdesigning.
