Izakaya

Izakaya is a contemporary Japanese restaurant and bar in York. The project called for a cohesive identity across branding, menus and visual media, capturing the character of the restaurant and its approach to Japanese cuisine. The aim was to connect the printed materials with the atmosphere of the space, creating a recognisable presence while allowing the food to take centre stage.

I developed a visual language built around precise typography, a restrained colour palette and detailed illustration. The primary logo arranges the name into three stacked rows alongside Japanese characters, enclosed within a square frame. Horizontal variations allow the identity to adapt to different formats while retaining its distinctive structure. Illustrations of ingredients and kitchen objects bring an expressive, tactile quality to the system. Paired with generous white space and carefully organised English and Japanese text, they balance the clarity of the menus with the craft behind the food. Photography and videography carry this approach into the restaurant’s visual storytelling. Dark surfaces and natural textures frame the dishes, drawing attention to colour, ingredients and presentation. The identity extends into applications including the Shinkansen pale ale pump clip, bringing the same attention to detail across food, drink and printed communications.