BOND designed a complete branding design system for Helsinki restaurant Roster, pairing custom typography with playful tattoo illustrations.

Chefs Kari Aihinen and Paul Hickman wanted to strip away the stiff rules of fine dining. They built Roster in central Helsinki as a lively space for good food and great wine. BOND shaped the entire project. They led the naming, interiors, and branding design assets. The visual tension comes from mixing refined surfaces with cheeky details. Polished brass and dark blue velvet meet warm timber tables. The space feels open and inviting. It avoids cold Scandinavian minimalism. Hand-picked design pieces sit alongside custom furniture. Instead of rigid formality, the visual identity injects warmth and wit into every guest touchpoint.

Custom Typography and Holistic Hospitality in Branding Design

At the center of the restaurant branding design sits a custom display typeface drawn for Roster. BOND gave the letters sharp angles and quirky serif cuts. These swift forms reflect the quick humor of the two chef founders. Outside, large black window awnings spell out the name above the Helsinki street. Inside, the bold lettering anchors the printed menus. It pairs with a clean sans-serif for item names and prices. Generous margins give the text room to breathe. Animated letter clips also bring quick motion to digital screens and video reels. The glyphs shift with lively rhythm.

Physical print details deepen this mix of high craft and street grit. Dining menus use heavy black paper stamped with bright gold foil. The metallic letters catch the warm dining room lights. In the kitchen, chefs wear black canvas aprons with solid brass rings and gold stitched logos. Playful tattoo-style drawings appear on coasters, matchboxes, and cards. They show quirky birds and maritime icons. Three short films capture the bustling kitchen and dining floor. These reels prove how sharp branding design shapes a memorable restaurant experience.

See more from BOND Creative Agency on Behance.