A bottle of rosé wine labeled 'Salty' on a white surface, with a glass of rosé wine and a white plate of orange slices nearby, with a green leafy plant to the left side of the image.

Salty

Restaurant industry

Industry

Creative direction

Brand Design

Print Design

Packaging Design

Services

2024 — present

Year

Salty is a Mediterranean bistro inspired by Greek aesthetics and cuisine created as a tribute to coastal living and the relaxed rhythms of life by the sea. The name “Salty” is a playful motto: “be salty / stay salty” — stay bold, stay cool, stay true to the sea. The bistro seats 48 guests and is divided into two unique spaces: a bright, welcoming room with an open bakery and coffee bar — perfect for morning pastries and specialty coffee and more intimate evening space with a chef’s table and soft lighting for relaxed dinners.

Problem

The client needed a visual identity for Salty, a new Mediterranean bistro that will stand out among typical restaurant visuals, convey a feeling of coastal lightness and freedom and combine Greek-inspired motifs with modern simplicity. The client also wanted the identity to include illustrations and work well across various formats — from printed materials to packaging and social media.

A rectangular illuminated sign with the text 'Salty bistro' hangs from the ceiling above a wooden panel wall, with warm string lights and a potted plant in a restaurant interior.
A window with the words 'Salty bistro' written on it, seen through a foggy or frosted surface, with plants inside the bistro visible behind the glass.

Logo

Text image displaying the phrases, "Salty wine" in a distressed font, "Breakfast" in bold, and the words "Wine," "Bread," and "Book" with additional smaller texts like "aKa font," "Futura new BOLD," and "Futura new BOOK OBLIQUE".

Fonts

Close-up of a color calibration chart with horizontal bars in beige, blue, and red, labeled with color codes and numbers.

Colors

Process

We started with research and worked closely with the client to define a style that would perfectly reflect the restaurant’s concept. We created a logo combining structured typography with handwritten elements, selected typefaces: aKa (expressive, rustic) and Futura (clean, balanced). A color palette is inspired by sand and sea including red accents and natural white. We created a set of custom illustrations inspired by marine life, Greek forms, and carefree summer moods. We integrated a humor and warmth through details like quirky copy and lifestyle photography. The identity is going across menus, packaging, tray liners, postcards, and posters.

We explored visual language from both ancient Hellenic culture and modern Mediterranean bistros — including textures, color palettes, ceramics, and hand-drawn styles. The duality of everyday coastal life + deep historical roots became the visual foundation. The name Salty inspired the tone of the identity:“Be salty / Stay salty” — stay bold, true, and connected to the sea. This playful and poetic message informed the direction of the entire brand.

Illustrations

Blue line drawing of a woman in a dress, a woman on the phone, a bathtub with a mermaid tail, a fish, and seashells with the word 'Salty' written on them, all in a nautical and underwater theme.
Two posters on a blue wall. The left poster advertises a bakery with images of croissants and other baked goods. The right poster promotes a dog event with photos of small dogs, including a brown puppy, and has text in Cyrillic.

Posters

A colorful map of Europe on a printed sheet, with regions labeled and marked with pins, along with lists of wine names and descriptions on the left side, titled 'SALTY WINE'.

Wine menu

A striped blue and white towel with a straw hat, sunglasses, a white tote bag, an open menu, and a clipboard with a breakfast menu on a grassy outdoor area.

Breakfast menu

A person holding a paper coffee cup with a lid. The cup has an illustration of a girl with long hair and the word Salty on it.

Paper cup

A pizza box with image of pizza, labeled "Salty" on a blue table.

Pizza box

Result

A cohesive and expressive brand that’s instantly recognizable across all touchpoints, Salty captures the joy and ease of Mediterranean coastal life. The visual identity built around custom illustrations, sun-washed colors, and relaxed typography became a signature feature that adds charm and personality to every detail. The branding system scales effortlessly across social media, packaging, menus, interior prints, and merchandise, maintaining consistency without losing warmth.

The emotional connection that people feels is no accident — it’s the result of storytelling woven through every aspect of the brand. Guests have responded with enthusiasm, often praising the illustrations, design, and atmosphere as part of what makes the dining experience memorable. Salty is a celebration of freedom, taste, and simple pleasures, expressed through design, tone, and thoughtful detail. The success of the project led the restaurant owners to return to us for the branding of their second project — a clear sign of trust, satisfaction, and the strength of a brand that works.

A tray on a blue checkered tablecloth holds a glass of lemon water with a lemon slice garnish, a cut lemon half, and a white card with a drawing of a woman in a martini glass and the words "Salty" and "you are invited." Yellow and white flowers are in the foreground, and grass is in the background.

Postcard

A slice of whole grain bread topped with mashed avocado, sliced radishes, black sesame seeds, and garnished with fresh parsley on decorative parchment paper with shell illustrations, placed on a wooden cutting board next to a glass of dark soda and gold-colored cutlery.

Wrapping paper