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Janu by Aman

A New Luxury Experience

  • Brand Identity
  • Environment
  • Strategy
  • Type Design
  • Web Design

Created by the Aman Group, Janu is a socially-focused hotel brand that reimagines contemporary luxury. Janu aims to promote genuine human interaction and collective joy, through large wellness centres and communal spaces, often situated in urban locations…

Translated as “soul” in Sanskrit, Janu opened the doors to its first destination in Tokyo’s Azabudai Hills in March 2024.

HS were commissioned to create the visual identity for this new Aman brand. Built around a simple premise, Janu is designed in every sense to nourish the ‘SOUL’. A destination for rejuvenation, invigoration and inspiration.

Referencing early Sanskrit stone inscriptions, our bespoke wordmark evokes a sense of balance and purity – its chiselled letterforms give the mark a ‘poised’ appearance – elegant yet contemporary in feel. The stone carved characteristics suggest a sense of permanence, its distinct timelessness allowing the mark to exist harmoniously with the master Aman brand.

Beyond the mark, we developed an initial identity system for Janu, including supporting typography and colour system. This was detailed through brand application across print collateral and the digital estate. Colour is applied through a series of abstract gradients which have the appearance of hand painted or hand dyed surfaces – each destination has its own signature accent colour. Visual gestures that form an expressive palette which feels both human and soulful.

Minimal cream-toned JANU cover design on a dark background, with subtle texture, embossed-style typography and the words IN MOTION and JANU visible.
A diagonal grid of minimalist JANU books in muted grey and cream, with embossed titles and textured covers reading “FEED THE SOUL” and “IN MOTION”.

Colour is applied through a series of abstract gradients which have the appearance of hand painted or hand dyed surfaces – each destination has its own signature accent colour. Visual gestures that form an expressive palette which feels both human and soulful.

Close-up of a dark wooden object with fine grain and diagonal lines, embossed with the word “JANU” against a black background.
Two minimalist printed pieces lie on a grey surface: one with JANU in large type and faint small text, the other showing a soft teal and cream gradient.

A bespoke set of pictograms were developed to denote way-finding in specific areas or zones within hotel locations. These were each created on a grid system so they could be added to and evolved over time.

Embossed lettering spelling JANU on a textured beige surface, with soft diagonal shadows creating a minimal, tonal composition.