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Wherever you are in this world, Italian food is often a synonym of quality, and while this is a win for anyone that wants to make it their business, it can be hard to stand out visually when we already have a certain aesthetic linked to the word “Pizza”. Onion Studio, a Brussels-based branding agency, stood up for the challenge bringing an unusual mix into the table for the branding of Barbetta’s.

The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity

Barbetta’s is a pizzeria and microbrewery owned by siblings Romain and Elise, who wanted to step away from being a classic family-owned business. They succesfully partnered with Onion to craft a visual identity that could win over the hearts (and stomachs) of their community in Namur, Belgium.

The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity

They wanted to avoid typical Italian clichés, instead they took a different route: vintage american dinners. This transcontinental connection of aesthetics created a charming effect that reflected the welcoming atmosphere at Barbetta’s, not only for their charming decor, but also because of the hospitality of their owners. Their flexible visual identity expands through their packaging, advertisement and website design.

The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity
The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity

The logo for Barbetta’s is a stunning custom lettering work, where the chunky letters contrast over clean layouts, adding a funky twist to the visual language. Antique Olive was choosen as the main font for the project, a humanist sans-serif typeface designed by Roger Excoffon in the 1960s, characterized by its clean lines, even spacing, and slightly condensed width. The font’s name is a nod to its resemblance to the shape of an olive, particularly in the letter “O”.

The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity
The vibrant visuals from Barbetta's unique identity

Onion uses fun as a fuel to design great brands. You can check out their amazing portfolio here. And if you ever find yourself in Namur, never doubt to stop at Barbetta’s for a delicious pizza and a refreshing beer. A bientôt mon ami!

 

A Type of Ari


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