ANDIS  

From Tools to Icon: Repositioning Andis as a Culturally Relevant Lifestyle Brand

For over a century, Andis has been a trusted name in professional grooming, renowned for its high-quality clippers and trimmers. As a fourth-generation, family-owned company, Andis had a rich history but faced a modern challenge: how to remain relevant in a rapidly evolving industry. As the brand strategist and later as the executive sponsor, I focused on three key objectives:

  • Drive growth within high-value segments.

  • Defend market position against legacy competitors and emerging disruptors.

  • Strengthen customer loyalty in a category where brand affinity is hard-won.

What unfolded was an end to end reimagination of Andis, from the brand positioning, to the marketing programs, through to product design and the shopping experience. Heres how it happened…

Positioning

We began with a comprehensive market analysis, leveraging stakeholder interviews, trade show observations, and a national brand and product perception study across key U.S. markets. This was followed by a customer segmentation and persona development exercise. Our findings revealed that Andis’ core consumers were not solely motivated by product performance. They sought brands that acknowledged their craft, championed their creativity, and recognized their influence on culture. To drive differentiation and long-term brand equity, we repositioned Andis beyond functional superiority to own the emotional territory of creative empowerment.

A collage of slides with text and graphics discussing branding, creativity, business challenges, and strategies. Includes quotes, charts, and images of people, with topics like "Early Education," "New Logo," and "Empowering A Community."
Collage with images and text promoting creative spirit, artistry, authenticity, empowerment, expertise, and community focus. Features a hairstylist working on a client, a confident person posing, and inspirational quotes on colored backgrounds.

Brand System

We developed a scalable brand system that balanced Andis’ heritage with a modern, culturally relevant identity. The visual framework included a modular logo inspired by the creator community, a strategic color-blocking system to differentiate product lines, and typography that reinforced precision and craftsmanship. A cohesive photography and art direction strategy prioritized authenticity, and creator-led narratives to deepen emotional engagement.

"CREATE YOUR WAY" bold text on black background
Design guide showing different variations of the Andis logo including a wordmark, icon, and horizontal format. Includes text on special use logo system guidelines and corresponding file names.
Collage of magazine spreads showcasing branding and product designs for Andis, featuring typography, color palettes, shavers, clippers, photography, and lifestyle images.

Product Experience

We reimagined the product experience to reinforce Andis’ positioning as a brand that champions creativity. Industrial designers focused on delivering professional-grade functionality in a sleek, modern design that met the evolving needs of creators. To enhance shopability, professional packaging was elevated with premium materials, uncluttered layouts, and a refined unboxing experience, signaling quality and exclusivity. Consumer packaging embraced vibrant color blocking and dynamic design to inspire self-expression and engagement.

Green hair clipper against a yellow background.
Disassembled electric hair trimmer showing various internal components, including the blade, casing, and circuit board, on a dark background.
Andis electric hair trimmer with gold blade on dark background
Magazine ad featuring a man with a dog, promoting the Cordless Vida Clipper by Andis. Includes product details and green clipper image on a beige background.
Boxes of Andis grooming products, including clippers and trimmers, displayed on a gray surface. Packaging is in various colors like yellow, green, and black.
Magazine advertisement for Andis T-Outliner Cordless Li trimmer, showcasing product features like lithium-ion battery, shallow tooth blade, and premium charging stand.

eCommerce Expansion

A new website seamlessly integrated brand storytelling, product education, and a streamlined shopping journey, ensuring both professionals and at-home users could easily find the right tools. Dynamic visuals, interactive elements, and elevated product presentation reinforced Andis’ premium positioning while enhancing engagement. This approach transformed the site into a destination for creators, strengthening brand loyalty.

Two smartphones displaying a fashion and lifestyle website with images of diverse models and hair clippers against a light pink background.
Webpage design for Andis showcasing hair clippers. Large image of a clipper with "Lightweight" text. Features and product details listed. Includes images of people, clipper accessories, and a section labeled "Quality Since 1922."
Promotional collage featuring diverse individuals using various hair styling tools. Includes slogans like "Create Your Way," "For Masters of the Craft," "Animal Clippers with Award-Winning Pedigree," and "Made for the At-Home Stylist." Images show people with different hairstyles, a person grooming a horse, and a child getting a haircut.
Collage of diverse fashion and lifestyle images, featuring models in colorful attire, modern hairstyles, and promotional text about creativity and individuality.

Campaigns

We developed a cohesive brand and product communications strategy that seamlessly connected Andis’ belief in creativity with its product offerings. Brand messaging moved beyond technical specs to highlight how Andis empowers creators, while product communications emphasized both performance and design in a way that resonated with professionals and at-home users alike.

Collage of colorful Andis ad campaigns showcasing diverse models, hairstyles, and pets. Features include grooming tools for hair styling, pet care, and DIY projects. Some ads emphasize creativity and individuality, with texts like "Create Your Way" and "Your Canvas. Your Rules."
Collage of Andis grooming product advertisements featuring diverse models and animals.
Person in a colorful short-sleeve shirt over a white tank top, with brown trousers and a belt, posing in a social media post style layout.
Pet nail clippers with green handles on a pink background in a social media post.
Instagram profile page of Andis Company, a grooming brand, showcasing profile information, highlights on tools, news, events, and education. The profile features various posts related to hair styling, including images of models with different hairstyles, barbering scenes, and grooming tools.
Young person seated on a barber chair in a bright, stylish salon with a pink backdrop.
Electric trimmer with a power button, shown against a light blue background, styled as a social media post.

Brand Collaborations

We launched the Andis Creator Series to spotlight artists who embody the brand’s creative spirit, starting with the Compton Cowboys—a collective redefining legacy and self-expression. This collaboration blended storytelling, culture, and craftsmanship, reinforcing Andis’ commitment to empowering creators while expanding its reach beyond traditional grooming audiences.

Man wearing a cowboy hat with arms crossed, showing tattoos on forearms, leaning on a fence.
Man grooming a horse with clippers