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Balena

Balena is an Italian-inspired restaurant focusing on foods sourced from the farms of the Midwest. Its beverage program showcases wines from all regions of Italy, and its amaro-based cocktails are offered on a 1-to-10 scale of bitterness.    

True story designed Balena’s brand identity, including the logotype and chef’s chop, menu design, to-go packaging, stationery, collateral and website.

The upside-down “a” in the logo was inspired by early team discussions in which the name was voiced conversely as either “ba-LAY-nuh” or “ba-LEE-nuh” (the former won.)

 Balena signage design. True story.
 Balena logo design. True story.
 Balena menu design. True story.
 Balena packaging design. True story.
 Balena business card design. True story.
 Balena placemat design. True story.
 Balena placemat design closeup. True story.
 Balena chop design. True story.
 Balena website design. True story.

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