Responses by Ebru Sile Göksel, cofounder and creative director, Studio Born.
Background: Crafting an identity program for restaurant La Plage, we designed a distinctive branding strategy evoking a nostalgic beachside ambiance through playful illustrations while also conveying a sense of luxury to accentuate the restaurant’s refined setting. Central to the branding is the depiction of the beachside life in Istanbul’s Suadiye neighborhood during the 1950s, captured through playful scenes and iconic figures evoking a sense of nostalgia and whimsy. By merging elements of vintage charm with a touch of sophistication, we created a memorable brand identity that resonates with guests seeking both leisure and upscale dining experiences.
Design thinking: La Plage blends bohemian allure, seaside charm and nostalgia. Drawing inspiration from vintage beach imagery of the 1950s, we curated a collection of whimsical illustrations, enhancing them with hints of opulent gold foil in the print to infuse a touch of luxury into the brand’s visual identity. We aimed to embody a captivating narrative of seaside elegance, utilizing a unique typeface to emphasize the word La in “La Plage.” Additionally, we leveraged the pre-established color palette inspired by wood and khaki accents within the interior design scheme. A key highlight of the branding is the incorporation of memorable mottos, such as “Girls just wanna have sun” and “Sea la vie.” These add a touch of wit and charm that resonates with the clientele.
Challenges: The most daunting aspect of the project lay in crafting a branding strategy that resonated with the audience precisely, given our singular opportunity for presentation.
Favorite details: We’re thrilled with the printing results. Everything turned out stunning, and our client couldn't be happier!
Visual influences: Our inspiration stemmed from the captivating visuals and photographs of beachside individuals from the 1950s.
Specific project demands: Having the complete trust of our client made the project incredibly rewarding and motivating, letting us unleash our creativity to the fullest extent.