Brands
AKAI Professional x Native Instruments
Objective
Create a visual language which represents this partnership. Using this visual language, form guidelines which enable creators and third-parties to create assets which align with the core partnership aesthetic and messaging.
Context
TL;DR — Native Instruments' award-winning sound libraries, now available on AKAI Professional hardware (MPC & MPK).
With this landmark collaboration, AKAI Professional’s iconic MPC platform took centre stage, seamlessly integrating with Native Instruments’ creative tools to deliver an unprecedented toolkit for musicians, producers, and audio creators. This collaboration redefined what’s possible in music production by combining the MPC’s hands-on workflow with Native Instruments’ expansive sound libraries and innovative features.
This partnership elevated the MPC’s role as the centrepiece of modern music production, delivering professional-grade tools that empower creators at every stage of their journey. From aspiring musicians to seasoned professionals, the MPC continues to inspire innovation, supported by Native Instruments’ cutting-edge software.
Native Instruments also extended its powerful Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) technology to AKAI Professional’s MPK Series. This integration empowers artists to seamlessly control all NKS-compatible plugins, including Native Instruments’ flagship tools like Komplete Kontrol, which organizes and maps instruments and effects for intuitive play; Kontakt, the industry-leading platform for sampling and sound design; and Native Instruments’ premium portfolio of sounds and tools.
With pre-mapped controls and intuitive navigation directly from MPK controllers, this integration provided an immersive, expressive experience that allows creators to stay fully in their flow.
With this landmark collaboration, AKAI Professional’s iconic MPC platform took centre stage, seamlessly integrating with Native Instruments’ creative tools to deliver an unprecedented toolkit for musicians, producers, and audio creators. This collaboration redefined what’s possible in music production by combining the MPC’s hands-on workflow with Native Instruments’ expansive sound libraries and innovative features.
This partnership elevated the MPC’s role as the centrepiece of modern music production, delivering professional-grade tools that empower creators at every stage of their journey. From aspiring musicians to seasoned professionals, the MPC continues to inspire innovation, supported by Native Instruments’ cutting-edge software.
Native Instruments also extended its powerful Native Kontrol Standard (NKS) technology to AKAI Professional’s MPK Series. This integration empowers artists to seamlessly control all NKS-compatible plugins, including Native Instruments’ flagship tools like Komplete Kontrol, which organizes and maps instruments and effects for intuitive play; Kontakt, the industry-leading platform for sampling and sound design; and Native Instruments’ premium portfolio of sounds and tools.
With pre-mapped controls and intuitive navigation directly from MPK controllers, this integration provided an immersive, expressive experience that allows creators to stay fully in their flow.
Logo Lockup
A graphical lockup was created – this combined the partnership logos with 4x4 pad grid and keys iconography. It made sense to include these, as they were common elements on each of the brand's hardware, so each brand's audience would understand the logic behind the partnership.
Typography rules
Primary and secondary typefaces for the partnership were specified for use across all design output.
Photography guidelines
In order to effectively represent what this partnership will mean to the audience, considerations were made for how imagery should be captured – this built familiarity through repetition.
Design Devices
Several design devices that can be utilised for the partnership, including a 4x4 pad grid icon, keys icon, mesh gradient abstract backgrounds and animation guidance.
Abstract BackgroundS
Animated IconS: MPC Grid
Animated Icons: MPK Keys
Apparel Design
Considering this partnership was one of AKAI's flagship announcements at NAMM '25, apparel designs were put together in order to consistently drive the message of the partnership.
about akai professional
For over 40 years, AKAI Professional has led the music production industry with innovative tools, including the iconic MPC series, which revolutionised sampling and gave rise to new genres. Trusted by top producers and musicians worldwide, AKAI Professional continues to inspire the future of music creation.
About Native Instruments
For over 25 years, Native Instruments has been at the forefront of musical innovation, revolutionising how people express themselves through sound. Our industry-leading tools like Komplete, Kontakt, Maschine, and Traktor have empowered music production, audio engineering, and DJing around the world.