Restaurant branding, marketing and other notes on various design topics

Budweiser Flash Fans Superbowl Ad

Joseph Szala — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 21:30:46 +0000

This. Is. Awesome. Talk about doing something new. This ad uses the extreme fandom of hockey to promote the product. But the key here is, it was never about Budweiser. It was about love. The love of the sport. Love so deep that people play … just to play. So, Budweiser surprises the rec hockey team with something more than a little documentary.

What I love about this is that it’s completely focused on the people and not the brand. In that gesture, they build loyalists. They create fans of Budweiser and position Budweiser as a brand that cares about more than putting their name in front of potential drinkers. The position themselves as a brand that ALSO LOVES THE SPORT and shows that they “get it.”

Very big “well done.”

PS. I freakin’ LOVE hockey: GO DEVS!!

L’usine Restaurant Branding

Joseph Szala — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 19:35:11 +0000

Bright orange and stark white create a vibrant, lively brand identity for L’usine. Designed by Vincent Ramsay-Lemelin. I love the unique shapes and especially the printing techniques that make this restaurant’s identity literally pop off the page. It’s bright, fun and makes you want to experience the excitement at this restaurant.

Gottino Restaurant Branding

Joseph Szala — Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:58:09 +0000

The brand identity for Gottino, a restaurant and wine bar in Greenwich Village New York, is rustic and earthy. From the colors to the woodcut style illustrations one gets the feel of an organic, natural food experience. It’s a great example of being classic and traditional without being boring or old fashioned. Designed by Avec in collaboration with 5 in 1.

Moe’s Anti-Microwave Ad

Joseph Szala — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 20:52:19 +0000

This is an awesome way of driving home a point of differentiation. Moe’s doesn’t use microwaves because microwaves ruin everything. They figured they’d just show it instead of say it. This is a great way for a restaurant to send home a marketing angle.

Thanks to @ZacCoffman for the tip.

Waterfalls Restaurant

Joseph Szala — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 19:05:43 +0000

Wow… Thanks to my buddy Jim Launer @IGNITE for sending this my way. This restaurant in the Philippines is apparently set at the foot of a waterfall. Talk about slippery conditions, but what an experience! People are encouraged to remove their shoes, eat, relax and enjoy it. Found it on The Chive.

La Condesa Restaurant Branding

Joseph Szala — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 13:40:34 +0000

The team at Mucca designed the brand identity for La Condesa Comida Y Tequila. It’s marked by hand rendered typography giving it a common person’s feel, homemade, do-it-yourself. The aqua’s mixed with splashes of warm colors gives the overall brand a Mexican vibe you’d expect, in a way that’s semi-unexpected. What I especially like about this is the matchbook. Often times little items like this are overlooked and just produced for their utility. These are oppportunties to extend the brand and build awareness. Not to be taken litghtly.

Droga Confections Branding

Joseph Szala — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 17:15:37 +0000

The packaging and branding for Droga Confections by George McCalman is simply impressive. Use of patterns, colors and materials create a unique look that gives off the vibe of natural chocolates and flavorful confections. The logo is simple, but has a lot of meaning just by looking at it once. The typography? Strong and poignant. The packaging’s more pattern-based design is different from the company’s brand identity, however; it ties together. It’s a good display of how a brand can be fluid and have a different tone depending on the media without losing its roots.

A Gentlemen’s Rant – Restaurants

Joseph Szala — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 13:54:29 +0000

This could have gone so much farther, but it’s still pretty funny and a welcomed break from the restaurant branding reviews. Bon Appetit or something to that effect.

Nusa Kitchen Restaurant Branding

Joseph Szala — Tue, 31 Jan 2012 13:56:36 +0000

It’s not the logo that necessarily jumps out at me for Nusa Kitchen’s branding. Instead, it’s the way they treat the seasons as collections and treat the packaging for that season with different designs. That’s what makes this restaurant brand come to life. With imagery of knit patterns for the winter collection, and chinese inspirationed design for the summer soup collection, Nusa sets their brand identity on high as recognizable and memorable. Designed by Third Person.

Bailey’s Range Restaurant Branding

Joseph Szala — Mon, 30 Jan 2012 14:19:03 +0000

The brand identity design for Bailey’s Range can be summed up in one word: Fun. From the semi-realistic illustrations of food to the bright, semi-retro color treatments, the entire brand looks like it’d be a blast. It’s not over the top, it’s right on. This restaurant promises fun not just in words, but visually at every touch point. Communal seating, bright interiors and an identity that “says” it all visually. That’s a great restaurant brand. Designed by Toky