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Carmo: Portuguese Tapas Bar
IdentityPrint 2024
For this project, I was asked to design a brand identity for Carmo, a new Portuguese tapas bar and restaurant in Highland Park, Los Angeles, creating a unique visual identity that captures the vibrant and welcoming atmosphere of Portuguese cuisine with a modern LA feel.
When I first received this design prompt, I was immediately taken back to my childhood, to the sights and smells of the San Diego Festa do Espírito Santo, the taste of sopas and fresh malassadas, and the overwhelming sense of community found within the Portuguese Hall. To channel these emotions into a brand identity fit for a Los Angeles eatery, I began searching for a modern and playful display serif, deciding on Bonbance, which I modified to fall closer in line with old-style serif fonts. To accompany this, I selected PF Grand Gothik Variable, providing a subtle contrast with the more organic forms of the logotype. Thinking of colors, I was reminded of the red and yellow tents and awnings that were set up in preparation for the Festa. Drawing from similar memories, I created a floral logomark reminiscent of the abundant traditional Portuguese tiles.