The aircraft was officially debuted in San Bernardino, California, in January, and the livery was created by Edmond Huot, founder of design agency Forward Studio.
Courtesy of Edmond Huot
Insider spoke with Huot to discuss how Northern’s livery, as well as previous works, go from the first concept to the final product. He said the project took about a year, but the process begins with understanding the customer and the intended brand.
Northern Pacific Airways
“We always start with research, pouring over every possible visual reference, whether its geography, historical, architectural, or textures,” he said. “Then we imagine a story or thematic narrative that is purely creative, like seeing the plane as an animal, which is actually the most fun part. Then, we blend the two together.”
Northern Pacific Airways
Meanwhile, colors like red, blue, grey, black, and white are typically well-received by plane watchers. However, Huot explained some colors fade or degrade faster than others, so the cost to re-paint certain shades is a factor.
Delta Air Line