The code name of Ubuntu 12.10 is decided by Mark Shuttleworth to Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal.
According to Wikipedia Quetzals are strikingly colored birds in the trogon family. They are found in forests and woodlands, especially in humid highlands, with the five species from the genus Pharomachrus being exclusively Neotropical, while the single Euptilotis species is almost entirely restricted to western Mexico.
The focus of Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal release focus will be quality, this describes “Quantal” according to Mark Shuttleworth:
Quality comes from focus and clarity of purpose, it comes from careful design and rigorous practices.
For Bird Quetzel, Mark Shuttleworth describes:
Quetzal will be all about style on the client, with a refresh of our theme and typography, a start on new iconography and perhaps even a new form factor taking flight.
Quetzals look like following image.
Mark Shuttleworth described about plans before next LTS release Ubuntu 14.04 according to him now is the golden opportunity before next LTS release to refresh Ubuntu look by refining Ubuntu interface through better typography and iconography.
The development focus for Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal will be Quality and clear looks with better typography and iconography.