Slake Cafe had been around for several years but its visual identity was missing personality and featured dark colors, which did nothing to help it pop against the also-dark exterior building materials. Slake came to us asking for help with a brand refresh and ultimately greater awareness, and we dove right in.

Slake’s menu catered predominantly to office workers for breakfast and lunch with fresh, made-to-order dishes and baked goods served with a side of ironic cultural references, so we leaned into a ‘neighborhood cafe’ idea. Starting with a sign-painter-based brush script, we created the logo and picked a strong orange that evoked “fresh” while also working as a color flood to create an inviting and welcoming brand.

We designed and worked with local sign painter Red Rider Studios to produce a hand-painted sign and call-outs on the façade. We also designed new print and digital menus, digital signage, baked goods signage, business cards, and catering menus, and advised on the look and feel of the website. Locals and regulars frequently commented on the refresh, and business grew to expand to dinner and cocktails featuring live music on weeknights.