Dear Amigos,
In a world of almost unlimited design resources, it can be hard to locate high-quality mockups that are tailored to specific niches. We look at all these perfectly curated studio projects that tell a story through their brand applications and wonder if we would be ever be able to replicate those visual experiences with the tools we have available.
While we know that a design project is way beyond just placing your design on PSD Mockups, we are also aware that choosing the right resources can really help us visualize already strong ideas into the real world, specially when we’re building a design portfolio. That’s why the ATOA team, that has already spent hours curating free design resources and amazing projects, decided to put it all together in specific lists to help you save time finding the correct resources and references to place your work in the right direction.
Our first article will be about quick food branding, covering businesses and projects that take classic universal meals like pizzas and burgers to their full potential through the use of strong and effective visual languages. When customers ask themselves: why would i choose a new place to eat a burger when i already have all the big fast-food chains available for me? That’s when we can decide for them through effective design. Whether you’re creating a personal project for your portfolio or working for a client, here is a curated selection of branding projects to spark your appetite, along with the mockups you need to serve up your own ideas.
Freshly Made Resources
Finding the right way to showcase your work is important. You want assets that feel high-end but casual enough to look real. Here are five distinct mockups to get your branding off the screen and into the real world.
When designing for fast food, the details matter, and the greaseproof paper that lines the tray is a prime piece of real estate for patterns and logos. This high-resolution mockup allows you to display your brand elements or patterns in a realistic setting that adds depth to your presentation. Download it here
There is nothing quite like the anticipation of unwrapping a warm burger. This mockup captures that specific moment, giving you a realistic foil or paper wrap surface to showcase your packaging design. It creates a tangible sense of volume and texture, making your brand look ready to eat. Get it here.
Street visibility is crucial for fast food locations to capture foot traffic. This A-Stand mockup is perfect for showcasing daily specials, menu highlights, or witty brand messaging right on the sidewalk. It offers a realistic outdoor context that helps clients visualize how the brand lives in the physical world. Grab the freebie here.
Perfect for the breakfast crowd or the late-night pick-me-up, this mockup places your cup design in an urban environment. The pavement setting adds a gritty street-style vibe that works exceptionally well for modern food brands looking to connect with a city audience. Download the resource here.
For pizza brands, the box is an essential asset for presenting a complete takeaway experience, ensuring your layout looks perfect before it hits production. Besides, it’s a great billboard to create cool designs that elevate your brand. Get the mockup here.
This mockup features a clipboard casting a dramatic shadow on a textured surface, creating a sophisticated backdrop that is perfect for showcasing daily specials or craft cocktail lists. A great alternative to the classic folded paper mockups for menus. It adds a layer of realism and depth that flat PDFs simply can’t match. Download it here
This scene features two high-quality paper bags that are ideal for visualizing how your brand looks when it leaves the restaurant. Whether you are designing for a burger joint or a high-end bakery, these bags offer a clean, realistic canvas to test your logo and packaging patterns on a delivery-ready format. Get it here
This mockup is essential for brands that rely heavily on delivery apps, allowing you to show how the visual identity travels through the streets on the backs of riders. It helps demonstrate that the brand experience remains consistent and visible from the kitchen all the way to the customer’s doorstep. Grab the freebie here
Modern food spots need signage that shines—literally. This acrylic cube lightbox mockup offers a sleek, minimalist way to present a logo, particularly for night-time settings or trendy fast-casual joints. The realistic glow effect adds a premium touch that helps clients visualize their brand as a beacon in the city streets. Get it here
A restaurant’s facade is its first handshake with the customer. This awning mockup allows you to place your branding on the exterior signage in a way that feels architectural and welcoming. It’s perfect for visualizing how color and typography will look when applied to the physical texture of a storefront sunshade, helping clients see the “curb appeal” of their new identity. Download it here
Real-World Inspiration: Putting it All Together
Now that you have the assets to visualize your work, let’s look at who’s getting it right. These three projects, ranging from inventive identity systems to charming custom typography, show how a distinct vision translates into an iconic brand experience. They prove that successful design is truly well-balanced—a blend of typography, texture, and smart visual strategy.
Located in Porto’s Time Out Market, Brusco Burger derives its name from the Portuguese word for “rough,” a concept that defines its entire visual identity. Developed by the Matosinhos-based studio Another Collective, the branding seeks to balance the raw nature of a smash burger with an elevated feel. The project is heavily type-led, featuring a custom serif logo that intentionally avoids classic elegance in favor of sharp straight lines and a hand-cut, artisanal appearance. Discover the full story behind this raw and elegant visual identity here.
2. Barbetta’s by Onion Studio
Barbetta’s is a pizzeria and microbrewery that breaks away from traditional Italian clichés by drawing inspiration from vintage American diners. Developed by Brussels-based Onion Studio, the visual identity captures the welcoming and hospitable nature of its owners through a charming, transcontinental aesthetic. The branding is anchored by a stunning custom-lettered logo with chunky, funky forms that provide a playful contrast to the clean layouts used across packaging and digital platforms. Discover the full project here
Gigi’s Burger centers its identity on a high-energy delivery service that emphasizes the quality and “flow” of its product. Developed by the Buenos Aires-based studio NOS casa de marcas, the brand moves away from generic fast-food tropes by introducing a charismatic mascot and a vibrant personality. The slogan “Meet the meat at Gigi’s Burger – The Burger With Flow” encapsulates the brand’s promise of delivering delicious and flavorful burgers with a unique twist. Explore the full visual identity and mascot design right here.
We hope these case studies spark your appetite for creativity and that these mockups help you present your next food branding project with five-star quality. Stay tuned for more curated mixes of inspiration and resources!
Yours truly,
Since you are really into creativity, you might be interested in these other articles and resources:
How to Make the Perfect Design Portfolio
Here Are The Best Font Libraries Curating Open-Source Fonts
Insider Tips: The Best Type Foundries with Open Source Fonts
