The Goal: Design a logo and emblem for a Caribbean restaurant that conveys warmth and an vibrant island aesthetic.
The Process: Defined the restaurant’s mood and vibe with the client, researched competitor logos, and developed concepts that aligned with their vision. Refined the final design through collaboration to ensure it reflected the brand’s identity and values.
Date: 2024
Client: Cottage Hill Jamaican Grill
Role: Designer
Logo Research
To inform the design process, I conducted research on competitor logos to identify visual elements and styles that aligned with the client’s desired appeal.
Concept Development
The first round of concepts was developed using insights from my research, with a color palette drawn from recognizable Caribbean tones: green, red, gold, and black. I incorporated a cottage-on-a-hill motif to convey a welcoming, “you’re home here” atmosphere.
The restaurant was originally named Cottage Hill Caribbean Grill. I proposed an alternative “Cottage Hill Jamaican Grill” to highlight the owners’ heritage and create a stronger cultural connection with their customers.
The client selected the third option and aligned with the design rationale behind it. They especially appreciated how the cottage was formed using the double “T’s” and the door-frame cutout. The next step was to develop an emblem by expanding on the key elements from the chosen logo.
Final Logo
We determined that this logo complemented each other seamlessly and captured the overall atmosphere the client envisioned for the restaurant. The design conveys warmth through the sunset gradient, reflects the family’s Jamaican heritage, and incorporates playful elements with the cottage on the hill.
