Vanta Coffee Club & EateryBranding
Role: Brand Strategist & Lead Designer
Deliverables: Brand Identity, Logo, Website, Signage, Menu Design, Marketing Collateral, In-Store Art Direction
BlackGold Café approached me during a transitional period, seeking to evolve beyond their original identity. The owners wanted a brand that captured their growth and reintroduction into the market—something bold, modern, and conceptually rich. The challenge was to visually articulate a narrative of transformation while maintaining accessibility for a diverse, urban audience.
Creative Strategy & Process
Through collaborative discovery sessions, we developed a new name—Vanta—inspired by Vantablack, one of the darkest substances known, symbolizing depth, rebirth, and sophistication. We created a concept-driven brand system using custom “dictionary” style graphics to reimagine Vanta’s meaning throughout the café, blending storytelling into the environment.
- Logo Design: Developed a sleek, minimal wordmark rooted in balance and contrast
- Signage & Interior: Directed installation of on-brand environmental graphics and signage
- Menus & Print Collateral: Designed clear, typography-led layouts using the new brand palette
- Website: Built a clean, responsive site showcasing Vanta’s story and offerings
- Marketing: Consulted on launch strategy and designed key promotional materials
- Cross-channel Cohesion: Ensured visual consistency across all touchpoints, from storefront to business cards
Impact & Results
- Successfully launched the rebrand across physical and digital channels within a 3-month window
- Helped reposition the café as a premium brand in a competitive neighborhood, drawing a 20% increase in foot traffic during the first month post-launch
- Received strong community engagement through Instagram and in-store visuals that encouraged user-generated content and word-of-mouth referrals
- Established a brand foundation that continues to support seasonal campaigns and expansions
