This is a smaller brand identity designed by Minou Sinios for the Delphine Eatery & Bar. I’m highlighting this because it shows that even a little bit of design and color can make a brand pop. The strong typography communicates well and the color is unexpected, but well received.

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Tapas 24, designed by Clase BCN, is a tapas bar with a super rustic feel. The restaurant’s identity is driven by rough mix of woodcut style typefaces and highly contrasting colors. It’s one of the few situations where more than 2-3 typefaces can be used in a design. Usually this creates a horrible design feel to a brand, but this is done well and it’s not extended beyond the actual restaurant logo. Here’s how they describe it:

A “tapas” of fonts for the Tapas restaurant, 24 of the Catalan chef Carles Abellán. The essence of the new identity is based on a fresh mix of fonts, icons, and illustrations used in a single color on very basic material, recreating the image of the typical tapas bars of Barceloneta in a contemporary way.

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Lick Yoghurt is a lovely, small brand for a shop in the UK. It’s “fluffy” and bright. The interior is well done, especially the lighting. Designed by Freshwest

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Another lovely brand identity design by Spunk Design Machine. This time for a food and wine market called Pairings. The mark is immediately identifiable, strong and unique making it the epicenter of the brand. The colors are vibrant tones of earthy colors. Excellent typography and great delivery throughout the elements really ties this one together.

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I’ve admired this identity for years now. It’s quaint, subtle, but powerful in it’s confidence. The warm colors convey the warmth of eating a delicious, fresh, gooey cookie. Makes my mouth water. The mini cooper treatment is just awesome. Fine work from Steven Jockisch while at Spunk Design Machine.

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Design doesn’t just have to do with visuals. Design is in everything we do. We design our world the way we see fit from career to spouse to trivial things like cars, clothes, etc. One thing we design is the efforts for which we stand and in which we believe: Charity.

I have a problem with charity and nonprofits. My problem is, most of the time, their heart is in the right place, but they lack the design and innovation that makes something “sticky.” Non profits are just like any other business or product out there. They need followers. They need evangelists. They need innovation. Unfortunately most just “want to help” and “need money” to do so.

Today, I stumbled upon a nonprofit that’s been thought through. It’s called Doc2Dock. From it’s name throughout its infrastructure and down to its advertising, this nonprofit is well designed. So much so, I wanted to share it here even though it has nothing to do with restaurants or food. It is a testament to designs permeation throughout successful companies and initiatives. Enjoy:

DOC2DOCK: “SOS: SAVE OUR SUPPLIES” from In Secret Agreement on Vimeo.

The studio Hatch is widely known across the US if not the world for great design. Their branding work for Specialtys is no exception. Simple, illustrative and strong. There’s just a touch of classic/traditional vibe to it but stays modern. The strong green/brown color palate touts its earthiness and sets the bar for a fresh experience.

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This brand packaging and identity design was done by P576. The style is earthy and natural which communicates the brand promise of the restaurant/cafe. Simple color palate of brick and natural browns send home the brand identity.

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A promotional video by Walter Landor & Associates on the design for the Old Fitzgerald whiskey.

Design story: The Decanter from Landor Associates on Vimeo.

Where do designers get their great ideas? All over the place. It could be a random daydream while riding in the car (like the one I had while designing the Jackie Blue Restaurant brand), or it could be through endless sketching and exploration (like I did for the Mark Garrison Salon brand). No matter where a designer’s get their great ideas, we all salivate and covet each others’ work. I’m no different and have my own list of websites I go to when I’m looking to quench my thirst for beautiful design. So, I decided to list them here for everyone to view.

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