Dan Cottrell Studio redesigns Ronnie Scott's identity with jazz-inspired typography

Dan Cottrell Studio has overhauled the visual identity of Ronnie Scott's, the legendary Soho jazz club, introducing a dynamic typographic system inspired by the "rhythm and spontaneity of jazz." The previous branding, featuring a gold vector saxophone logo and heavy gradients, had remained unchanged since the 2000s and was deemed dated. Cottrell, who runs an independent studio based between London and Barcelona, was approached by the club earlier this year. He brought in two new typefaces: Railroad Gothic for impact and Century Condensed as a restrained secondary layer, referencing the club's interiors and late-night hospitality. Researching 1950s and 1960s record covers by designers John Hermansader and Reid Miles informed the letterforms. Rather than a fixed system, the type pairing behaves "more like a performance," bringing energy to digital applications. Cottrell also redesigned Ronnie Scott's quarterly programme, a magazine-style print piece with event listings, interviews, and archival spotlights. The iconic logo, derived from the neon sign on Frith Street, was preserved with a sensitive update: a new lockup adding "Jazz Club" in the headline typeface. The club hosts over 25 performances weekly and continues to feature both legendary and emerging jazz artists.