At Nextbite, we often partnered with other restaurant companies to help them break into the virtual kitchen space. As part of the pitch process for these potential partnerships, part of my role was exploring what that partnership could look like as a virtual kitchen brand. One such potential partnership was with the Bob Marley House. Below are is a visual exploration for Hope Road Cafe, a concept for a bowl-based virtual kitchen.
Project Snippet - Unused Brand Direction for The Cerulean
The name The Cerulean probably looks familiar. I recently posted another Project Snippet for the same brand, showcasing some of the merchandise I designed for the concept. This is an early exploration of that same brand, one that was a bit more refined and Southern in it’s execution, reflective of the higher-income patrons of the Bay St. Louis area.
Typography inspired by classic boat name handlettering makes up the monogram and the primary logotype. A monoline script is paired with this typography to feel classic and personable. I also chose a relaxed Great Blue Heron as the brand mascot. Native to the area, you normally see these regal birds standing tall over the water or flying with their legs outstretched behind them. Instead, I’ve chosen to show the bird breezily floating along on the water. This bird is mean to represent a more refined local patron taking it easy at The Cerulean.
This small snippet of a visual identity represents the nostalgia of a bay-front seafood restaurant packaged in a contemporary way.
Project Snippet - Little Fish Sushi Houses
Another little logo designed during my time at Vigor for Scratch Kitchen’s family of brands. This one got to see its day in the sun, and I’m so glad it did. For this mark, I edited existing typography to emphasize each letters sharpest edges, like the blade of a well-maintained Japanese knife. For the letters that featured flamboyant finials (say that five times fast) I added fins, and turned the F into a fish symbol for the brand.
Project Snippet — Rare Bird Barber
I don’t take on a lot of freelance work. Mostly because my day job is demanding enough. However, I’m always willing to help out friends, or in this case, significant others of friends. My hair stylist’s (shoutout to Wanderlust Salon for keeping me and my boo phresh) boyfriend reached out to me needing an identity for his new endeavor, Rare Bird Barber. After working at a string of barbershops, Steven had decided to spread his own wings and go solo.
Take a look some of the strategy below, some unused explorations, and the final result. Enjoy!
Project Snippet — The Tinsley Co Photography Branding
Almost a year ago now, my dear friend Chaise Tinsley approached me to help her brand her wedding photography business. She had been wanting to go out on her own for a while and make it her full time job, but wanted to get the branding, messaging, and voice underway before doing so. We went through the discovery phase together and I presented three options for her to choose from. Ultimately, she decided to use another designer that was more in line with her overall vision, but the strategy I devised for her is what she still uses as her north star.
Take a peep at the brand strategy below, as well as the design directions presented with said strategy.
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