SEABEAR OYSTER BAR
Brandmark logo design for an Oyster Bar in Athens, Georgia
Client: Seabear
Industry: Food
Year: 2017
Software: Adobe Illustrator
Team: Solo
Time Frame: 1 Month
Creative Brief: The client's singular goal for the brandmark was to fashion a versatile emblem that could seamlessly transition across various mediums, including menus, websites, tiki glasses, t-shirts, coasters, and hats. They specifically desired a color scheme featuring dark blue and black, with the logo designed to be rendered in a single color.
Research: In the journey of conceptualizing the Sea Bear brand, I embarked on an extensive research phase to delve into the essence of what a 'sea bear' represents. This involved curating a collection of images and drawing inspiration from various sources to inform the design direction. Additionally, I closely examined the aesthetics of the Seabear Oyster Bar, both in its exterior architecture and interior decor, drawing valuable insights and creative cues to shape the Sea Bear brand identity.
Brainstorm and ideate: After assembling a comprehensive collection of inspirational images, my attention shifted towards embodying the essence of the 'sea bear' concept. I honed in on key elements such as the bear's wet appearance, the iconic sea captain's cap, and a weathered aesthetic to evoke a rugged maritime charm. Additionally, drawing inspiration from the braided rope border featured in the Fin and Tonic logo, commonly used in oyster harvesting boats, further enriched the design narrative.
The rich black hue reminiscent of the Oyster Bar's daily chalkboard offerings, along with the striking blue shade inspired by the custom bar stools, were pivotal in infusing the design with a sense of authenticity and visual appeal. By seamlessly integrating these diverse elements and sources of inspiration, I crafted a design that captures the essence of the Sea Bear concept.
Review: This proved to be one of those remarkable instances where the client expressed no revisions for the selected logo and color scheme—a truly exceptional outcome. It was a testament to successfully hitting the mark precisely as envisioned. Eager to see the logo materialize across various mock-ups, the client's enthusiasm further validated the effectiveness of the design.
Presenting the Final Designs: When presenting the mock-ups to the client, they were highly impressed with the designs across various applications, including t-shirts, websites, coasters, stickers, hats, and menus. Their enthusiasm was evident as they not only approved the designs but also proceeded to implement them extensively. This included printing coasters, t-shirts, hats, and even soccer jerseys for the staff, along with distributing stickers to customers. Furthermore, the logo secured prime placement on menus, the website, and featured prominently in social media campaigns, showcasing the widespread adoption and success of the branding efforts.
Be sure to visit Seabear Oyster Bar's website for more information. And if you find yourself in Athens, GA, this spot is a must-visit for oysters, small plates, and cocktails. It's particularly magical during football season, with the changing leaves and the excitement of UGA Bulldogs football games.