The idea
The Clifton needed to feel like it had always belonged to the neighborhood, while still feeling fresh. The direction blends the timeless authenticity of the area with a contemporary touch: elegant copper accents, warm wood and an upscale but welcoming atmosphere.
The promise is in the tagline: something for everyone.
What I did
I built the full identity system: a bold wordmark, a monogram that works as a sign, a stamp or an embroidered patch, and a circular badge. The palette pairs olive, rust, cream, chocolate and charcoal, drawn from the wood, leather and copper of the space.
Typography sets the tone. Baron carries the logo and headlines, Poppins handles everything else, and Biro Script Plus adds handwritten notes like the tagline.
The brand guidelines also set the photography direction (the space, the people and the energy, captured as they really are) and show how the brand should look on social media.
Bringing it to life
A logo on a page only tells part of the story, so I used AI image tools to bring the brand to life. Working from my brand guidelines, I directed visuals that show the look and feel of the restaurant and how each design element would appear in the real world.
The result is a full set of mock-ups: exterior signage, the glowing monogram behind the bar, staff uniforms, merchandise, packaging, a doggy bag, food and cocktail menus, and posters for recurring nights like Sunday Social, Vinyl at the Clifton and Poker Night. There are even medals for a Clifton Fun Run.
