Sir Jony Ive designs plant-based Red Nose for Comic Relief

Comic Relief describes Ive’s design as its “most dramatic makeover since its debut in 1988”.

By Abbey Bamford

February 1, 2023
5:25 pm

February 1, 2023
5:25 pm

Apple’s former chief design officer Sir Jony Ive has redesigned Comic Relief’s famous Red Nose, seeking to make it more sustainable than its predecessor.

The new Red Nose is made entirely from plant-based materials and is designed to fit a variety of nose shapes. It starts out as a small, flat crescent, folding out into a honeycomb paper sphere. The Red Nose also arrives in a case, where it can be stored when flat.

Comic Relief described the change as “the most dramatic makeover since its debut in 1988”. Over the past three decades, the Red Nose has gone from being piece of plastic, to a tomato, a sponge,and woodland themed creatures.

Ive says: “This new and seemingly simple Red Nose has been a fabulously complex little object to design and make, and has involved our entire team. We hope it brings a little moment of joy to everyone who wears one”.

The new design is now available to buy on Amazon, the new home of the Red Nose. Comic Relief co-founders Richard Curtis and Sir Lenny Henry have teamed up with Diane Morgan on a new film to reveal the new look and feel of the Red Nose.

Comedian Sindhu Vee says the new Red Nose is “very delicate and very beautifully made” and stresses that “while the design has changed, the purpose hasn’t”. She adds: “With every Red Nose bought, supporters will be helping people through the toughest times of their lives.”

Red Nose Day will return this year on Friday 17 March.