A culinary grand tour of the Mediterranean.
Tucked away in the vibrant heart of Va-Hi, Ela Mezze + Spirits serves up a culinary voyage through the Mediterranean with an inviting, creative twist. A tribute to the diverse tapestry of the region, where every bite tells an ancient story of tradition, trade and cultural exchange influenced by travels from Morocco to the Levant -- and back. We were honored to craft the brand for Fifth Group’s latest restaurant, taking cues from the entire mediterranean region to create an identity system as unique as the food itself.
To ancient cultures, the Mediterranean Sea was not a barrier. It was a connector.
The Ancient Romans called the Mediterranean Sea, Mare Nostrum: Latin; “Our Sea”.
HUMAN connection was our inspiration.
Mimicking the effect of ancient trade routes in the spread of ideas, we created a brand that borrowed a bit from every culture in the region.
We created a system that allows for endless variation.
We focused on the rich typography inspired by the various cultural epicenters of the Mediterranean, intentionally eliminating fonts from consideration that didn’t originate in these cultural zones.
Our designs borrow from the golden age of travel.
In our research, we discovered a treasure trove of actual sketches from 1930’s artists that toured the region. These visuals helped us craft a story of adventure and exploration that would be impossible to recreate otherwise. Then we examined period travel documents from the romantic, steamship and locomotive era to help inspire our design.
the stage is set to tell the stories of cuisine and culture with a wit and charm seasoned through travel, inviting guests on their own culinary journey.
Brands are inherently cultural expressions. As such, they require strategies that work with and in culture, but are specifically focused on audiences critical to the business - A Design Target.
Our work bridges the gap between business strategy and creative expression. It establishes the foundation for the brand to participate in a specific culture by creating its own mythology and rituals that promote self-identity.
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Services
Location Viability Services and Audience Identification
Brand Strategy & Positioning
Brand Narrative
Brand Messaging Architecture
Creative Strategy
Brand Identity Systems and Nomenclature
Uniforms and Collateral Design
Website
Advertising, Photography, Videography
Location Based Digital Media & Content Marketing
Interior and Exterior Way-finding and Signage Elements
Custom Music Experience Design
Staff Alignment Initiatives