Kodak
Refreshing an Icon, One Click at a Time
Few brands carry as much photographic history as Kodak. From the moment photography became something people did for fun, Kodak was there. When the Printomatic instant camera needed a refresh, the brief was clear: update the design for today, without losing the charm of decades of instant-photo heritage. ManGo Product Design was asked to redesign the camera to house improved printing technology, while making sure it still felt unmistakably Kodak. In other words: new tech inside, nostalgia intact, and zero instructions required before pressing the shutter.
Designed Around New Tech, Rooted in History
The existing generation had started to show its age, especially as printing technology evolved. ManGo developed a completely new 3D CAD design, carefully shaped around the updated internal components while referencing classic Kodak instant cameras that go back many decades. The proportions, curves and layout were all tuned to feel familiar, friendly and instantly understandable. It’s a camera you recognize at a glance, even if you can’t quite explain why. That’s intentional. Good industrial design should feel obvious, not overthought.
Color That Pops, Just Like the Photos
Beyond form, the look needed a serious update. ManGo developed a new CMF strategy for the Printomatic+, aiming for a modern, cohesive appearance that still shouts Kodak (in a good way). A clean white bezel anchors the design, while bold monochromatic colourways draw directly from Kodak’s iconic CMYK palette. Bright, confident and impossible to lose in a drawer. Close collaboration with the manufacturer ensured precise colour matching and production-ready surface finishes. Multiple sample rounds were reviewed and refined until the colours felt just right; vibrant without being toy-like, playful without losing quality.
Ready for Today’s Instant Gratification
The redesigned Kodak Printomatic brings together updated printing performance, refreshed aesthetics and the joy of instant photography in a compact, approachable product. No screens, no apps, no overthinking; just point, click and watch a real photo appear. By carefully balancing brand heritage with modern design and manufacturability, ManGo helped Kodak keep instant photography relevant for a new generation. Proof that even in a digital world, sometimes the best user experience is still holding a freshly printed photo in your hands.
