After 15 weeks of hard work, it finally came time to have our senior show (back in person). I really wanted my presentation to feel like the restaurant was alive and right in front of you so I included a lot of physical elements. Starting with the coasters, I created the design and burned it into the wood with a heat gun. I carved a stamp into the shape of the cactus branding and hand stamped the silverware packaging. I used my Cricut to cut out a stencil of the Soleado logo and etched it into the glasses that were presented on the table. I created a physical mockup of what the takeout box would look like as well as the paper insert inside (along with some chips). I had some stickers for people to take, a video playing on the monitor to present the few pieces that were digital, and an embroidered shirt that I imagine the hostesses and servers wearing as they work. I even had a table made by some very willing helping hands to tie everything together.
soleado branding
For my senior thesis project, I decided I was going to brand a new Mexican restaurant from scratch. Starting with mounds of research to determine the overall feel for the brand, I discovered that I was drawn to a high end feeling which is something far different than other typical Mexican restaurants in Buffalo. I decided on the name 'Soleado' which translates to sunny.