BRANDING DESIGN Sol & Sisu
One Table. Many Origins.
BRIEF
Create a cohesive visual identity for a full-service Finnish and Caribbean fusion restaurant located in Traverse City, Michigan.
PROJECT TYPE
Brand Identity Design System
ROLE
Brand Design, Research, Visual Design, Mockups
TOOLS
Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop, Adobe InDesign, Figma, Figjam, Keynote
DELIVERABLES
Brand Story, Brand Identity System, Mockups, Final Presentation
EXTERNAL DELIVERABLES
Brand Standards
THIS WAS MADE FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES
BRAND STORY
Sebastián grew up on a small farm in Puerto Rico, where food was a source of connection, care, and tradition. Later, drawn north by the water and the promise of something new, he arrived in Traverse City and met Onni, a quiet, methodical cook shaped by Finnish heritage and time spent cooking beside his grandmother. Though their backgrounds differed, they shared a deep respect for ingredients and the power of food to bring people together.
What began as creative tension became collaboration. Blending Puerto Rican warmth with Finnish precision, they built a restaurant rooted in resilience, friendship, and fusion. Today, their kitchen honors heritage while embracing craft, a place where every dish tells a story meant to be shared.
OUTCOMES + TAKEAWAYS
This project strengthened my ability to think critically about brand cohesion, combining two distinct cultures into a seamless, unified identity. I learned to develop a brand holistically, considering menu offerings, target audience, and location alongside the visual system. Crafting a believable brand story challenged me to create a narrative-driven design that feels authentic and fosters meaningful connections.