Project: The Counter Cafe
The client had two specifications with this branding brief; The cafe's logo (and any corresponding designs) must subtly insinuate an easy-going Kiwi theme, while also illustrating a professional and welcome alternative to mainstream cafe culture.

Project: The Counter
Upon visiting the space, the clients informed me that the cafe would actually be demolished in a years time (Olympic village related). As a result, the client has very intentionally exposed and showcased older parts of the interior (some of which are stunning) as a way to celebrate or lay memorium to the building's history before it is reduced to rubble.

Project: The Counter Cafe
The cafe's branding supports the interior space by going through the same process of peeling back a coated surface to reveal the original composites below. The following two images are of linocuts made in preparation for the signage.

Project: The Counter Cafe
Every element designed for the cafe is handmade to correlate with the old interior features (most of which would have been constructed well before the digital age).

Project: The Counter Cafe
The logo was woodcut into the cafe's blackboard menu.

Project: The Counter cafe
Full size shop front sign. Woodcarved and varnished.

Project: The Counter cafe
Taking the lino/woodcut idea a step further, I designed a large scale mural by literally stamping textures, leaves and flowers onto the cafe's back wall. The process involved projecting a photo of a New Zealand beach, then layering the stamps one on top of the other to build the forms.

Project: The Counter cafe
The finished mural

Project: The Counter cafe
The promotional flyers were also handmade. The pencil sketching retains some of the simple warmth that the wood signage produced, while the stain red countertop connects back to the cafe's name.

Project: The Counter cafe
A5 double sided flyer with wayfinding map and full menu.