VENOM Bar + Lounge
Brand Identity | Packaging | Web Design
Venom is an elegant bar and lounge space with a mix of playful danger and high-quality ssservice. This bar was made for the adventurous, with a selection of poisonous menu items and the company of live snakes. Venom provides an experience where the sober guests can be equally as entertained as the guests enjoying drinks. The restaurant’s brand identity pulls from the natural elements associated with snakes and the dark, sexy vibe of the restaurant’s interior.
Logo Design
The VENOM logo features a snake-shaped like a martini glass, complemented by a carefully selected typeface that embodies the brand's essence. To reflect the restaurant's high standard, a sharp and pristine logo design was essential. Hence, a minimalist Catallina typeface was chosen to complement the restaurant's sophisticated aesthetics.
To capture the essence of snakes, plants, and other exotic elements in my restaurant's branding, I opted for green as the primary color. For design clarity and to complement the green, I chose cream as the secondary color. By limiting the color palette, the brand achieves a cohesive and straightforward look that conveys its elegance. Inspired by the natural patterns on snakes' skin, I integrated three snake graphics into the brand's design, primarily as faded elements in the background of various pages. These graphics are present on menus, the website, and other branded collateral.
Packaging
As part of VENOM's packaging collection, I designed branded glassware, takeout bags, coasters, and matchboxes. To create these pieces, I utilized Adobe Substance 3D Stager, a program that offered an exciting learning experience. The glassware design captures the restaurant's elegant and moody ambiance, adding to the overall brand aesthetic.
Menu Design
The highlight of my design work for VENOM was the menu set. The drink menu features a foldable brochure style with a snake graphic slithering across multiple panels, creating a sense of motion. Each section in the drink menu is named after a different family of snakes, such as Cobra Cocktails, Viper Vodka, Boa Beer, and Python Purified Wine. On the other hand, the food menu includes a section of poisonous food options designed for the restaurant's more adventurous guests. To order these exotic dishes, guests must sign a waiver as they can be poisonous if not prepared correctly.
Print & Signage
Incorporating "snake wine" into the brand elements was essential to me, and I found the perfect place to do so on the postcard. The collage design also includes exotic plants from the restaurant's interior to add depth and texture. For the subway poster, I aimed to capture the attention of Philly residents as they go about their day, while the postcard serves as a small piece of art for guests to take home and remember their experience at VENOM. Finally, the neon sign, which would be inside the restaurant, provides a fun photo opportunity for guests to capture their memories.
Web Design
I utilized Adobe XD to create a website layout, with a particular focus on the main landing page and the event booking page. This marked the introduction of photography into my brand elements, with inspiration drawn from a bar in China that shared a similar vibe to VENOM. Incorporating photography in the website design adds a sense of realism that complements the restaurant's ambiance, making it more engaging for users.
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