The Bluebonnet Cafe is a faux restaurant name for which I developed a complete branding and visual identity system. This project focused on creating a cohesive design language across all brand guidelines, including a logo design, typography, color palette, and combining it into one menu layout.
4/01/23 - 5/4/23
Brand Design
Logo Design
Layout Design
Adobe InDesign
Photoshop
Illustrator
Over the course of several weeks I was tasked with creating the entire visual identity of a restaurant based on only the name. My idea of the restaurant started as a sweet and laid back brunch house, then slowly adapted into a more refined and higher scale dining experience. This project was a struggle for me in that I had to show restraint in my design. Less is more in good quality design, and I pulled my brand designs back until I ended up with my final refined piece.
Conclusion
I envisioned the bluebonnet to be a slightly upscale southern brunch restaurant, inspired by real restaurants where I grew up. The timing for this project was at peak bluebonnet season, so I picked and scanned real physical bluebonnets for my image elements. I struggled with making my layout organized logically and professionally, and wanting to make my restaurant more cute and cozy feeling, but also trying to have it feel upscale.
Elevated dining menus are often minimalistic, focusing only on the type, so I was inspired by these examples of menus that were using imagery in a refined and tasteful way, that doesn't take away from the fancy feeling.
I started by exploring possible display fonts for a logotype, trying to keep the upscale feel combined with the delicacy of the Bluebonnet.
I explored 3 different versions of The Bluebonnet, and how it could be represented differently as a different type of restaurant. I explored Logotypes, color palettes, font pairings for body text, and possible imagery.
Next I created possible color combinations with the colors of the bluebonnet in mind. I ultimately ended up continuing with the 2nd row, to keep a minimal and upscale feeling. Focusing on only the primary color of blue and using cream for negative space.
Bluebonnets happened to be blooming outside my dorm, so I picked and scanned my own bluebonnets into photoshop for my imagery. I posterized my photo and gave it a cyanotype blue style, and then experimented with many patterns until I ultimately went with the bottom combination as my final branding pattern.
I was experimenting with my bluebonnet scans, but still unsure how they should be used.
