Introduction to Restaurant Branding In-Person Workshop

Because restaurant dining is a rich sensory experience, creating restaurant brands provides designers an opportunity to draw diverse inspiration — from travel, memories, poetry, and storytelling, printed ephemera, vernacular signage, music, and popular culture, to name a few. This two-day workshop will give you the opportunity to dip your toes into this process by “rebranding” a restaurant of your choice.

After an introductory lecture on Day 1, you will conduct research, create narrative concept inspiration boards, and develop a transformation strategy. On Day 2, after a presentation of menus from the Archive’s collection, participants will apply their new concept and visual/typographic palette to a set of menus for their restaurant. 

Note: due to time constraints there will not be an emphasis on a new brand logo. However, you are encouraged to continue this process after the workshop concludes and, armed with a new overall strategy, you may find that the logo re-design process is more streamlined, focused, and rewarding.

Required Materials

Participants should bring laptops equipped with the Adobe Creative Cloud

Douglas Riccardi is a designer and creative director who has worked in New York City and Italy for over 30 years. Fully immersed in the New York restaurant scene, Douglas’ expertise lives at the intersection of excellence in design execution and creative storytelling. A deep commitment to fully supporting and expressing his clients’ missions underpins his approach to the work. 

Previously on the faculty at the International Culinary Center, Douglas now teaches at the School of Visual Arts in New York. Douglas also frequently lectures at the Institute for Culinary Education, guiding emerging designers and culinary entrepreneurs through the art and science of restaurant branding and graphic design.