Flying through design
As part of my degree, I conducted a visual analysis examining the development of British Airways visual identity in response to contextual changes in the last 100 years.
Duration
9 months
Client
Undergraduate research
Year
2025/26
Deliverables
Dissertation
Overview
For my dissertation, I set out to analyse the visual identity of British Airways while considering the contextual changes that have influenced the development of its brand identity over time. To ensure clarity to all readers, I designed an additional timeline that sits on page four of the dissertation, illustrating British Airways predecessor airlines and how they connect to the development of the airline today.
Abstract
This dissertation analyses the visual identity of British Airways (BA) with mention of all predecessor airlines dating back to 1919, but specific analysis on British Overseas Airways Corporation (BOAC), and British European Airways (BEA) in response to contextual changes between 1940 and present time. Drawing on empirical analysis of printed materials, such as, timetables, boarding passes, on board menus, baggage tags and safety leaflets, alongside selected advertisements, the research investigates the developments of key design elements such as, typography, wordmarks, symbols and an applied colour scheme. The study argues that the visual identity of these airlines have evolved in direct response to cultural, political and technological events, while maintaining a high level of continuity throughout the past 100 years.
