Score
Open Turning heraldry into a sound-reactive motion system
The article discusses illo's innovative project, Araldica, which transforms heraldic designs into a sound-reactive motion system. This approach emphasizes the importance of integrating visual identity with auditory elements, suggesting that brands can enhance their strategies by creating dynamic and responsive design systems that resonate with their audience's experiences.
Mindsparkle: illo Torino, Italy DATE August 28, 2026 EDITOR Mindsparkle Mag Turning heraldry into a sound-reactive motion system Araldica is the internal R&D project of illo: a sound-reactive motion design system built around heraldry, designed to scale across formats and stay in tune with the music — or even generate it.In January 2026, illo took heraldry as a personal brief. One video came out of it: sharp, rhythmic, built entirely in Cavalry and screened at OFFF Barcelona.
Around the same time the studio was deep in a project for a major international music player it is contractually not allowed to name, and working that closely with sound changed how the team read the original piece — it moved like music.So illo built a motion toolkit around it: a single visual system born from heraldic colour and pattern, from deep greens and sharp yellows to checkered geometries, reshaped to move in time with sound.
From a playlist cover to a single track’s artwork, from an in-app visual player to full video mapping on a wall, everything scales from the same source, with the palette and pattern language staying recognisably heraldic at every size and format.Inside the toolkit, two generative tools push it further. One turns sound into image: a track goes in, and its rhythm, genre and length shape a live animated visual, with a dedicated podcast mode where a coiling, serpent-like line shifts colour with every change of speaker.
The other reverses the process entirely — working in TouchDesigner, the studio scans the original Araldica footage colour by colour, translating it into music through Ableton. Pro illo illo is a creative studio based in italy, shaping visual languages ✺ with leading international brands⚑ Our focus is all about fueling optimism through expressive motion design ✦ and colorful illustration Visit Profile Design & Direction: illo Creative Direction: Ilenia Notarangelo Creative Direction: Cristina Pasquale Project Direction, Motion & Design: Giovanna Crise Motion: Miguel D'Errico Motion & Tool Development: Tommaso Azzarello Motion: Luca Gonnelli De
sign: Elena Maggiolo More in AI & Generative Design motion design Motion Identity visual system Generative Design Touchdesigner illo The best of the week. Every Friday. Includes freebie bundle, unseen BTS insights and more. Email address Get Friday's best of We respect your inbox.
illo Torino, Italy Available Profile Related We talked with illo about colour, systems, and keeping motion human interview illo motion design Plus 3 BTS Insights Moments That Glow — illo Shapes YouTube Studio’s Visual Language motion design illustration Lottie Animation EUFA EURO 2028 — Brand story video football illo motion Nature.org motion film form illustration natural Marex — Motion series motion design illustration ILLO Nubank motion system by illo branding motion nubank CoinShares motion series ILLO motion series Samsung Health Illustration System ILLO Samsung Storytel's visual system brand branding ILLO Airwallex for Money 20/20 airwa
Article truncated for readability. Read the full piece →
The project presents a unique intersection of visual identity and sound, offering innovative insights for brand strategy professionals, though it may not have the same widespread impact as a major rebrand.
Weekly digest
Get the Signal digest
Every Monday morning — the top 3 brand trends, 10 high-signal articles, and one emerging signal to watch.
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
