This semester-long project centered around developing a complete brand identity from the ground up. Partnering with Khadijah Ullah, we created DIONISO, an elegant, Greek-inspired cocktail bar that embodies sophistication and mythological charm. So join us and discover where elegance intertwines with the intoxicating allure of the divine.
Our process included designing the logo, visual identity system, and a full range of branded materials from business cards, letterheads, and envelopes to promotional merchandise. In the end, our project was honored as the Instructor’s Pick, recognizing our cohesive concept and strong visual storytelling.
Named after Dionysus, the Greek god of wine and ecstasy, DIONISO captures the essence of indulgence and divine celebration. The logo features a clean, modern sans-serif typeface with one distinct detail: a playful, flowing curve in the letter “n.”
This subtle twist symbolizes the swirling smoke from our crafted cocktails and evokes the light, euphoric feeling of being delightfully tipsy. The result is a mark that feels sophisticated, timeless, and worthy of the gods themselves.
Our first step in bringing DIONISO to life was developing the brand’s stationery system, including the letterhead, envelope, and business cards. I designed the letterhead and envelopes, while my partner focused on the business cards.
Balancing refinement and creativity was a challenge, but the final set beautifully reflects DIONISO’s sophisticated and modern aesthetic.
In the second stage of the project, I focused on building a strong brand identity through promotional materials. I wanted our bar to feel genuine and fully realized, so I designed three cocktail mix labels, three coaster designs, and five unique stickers in Photoshop. It was an intensive weekend of design, but seeing how positively classmates and teachers responded made it completely worth it.
As part of this project, we were tasked with creating advertisements for our brand that would attract attention through guerrilla marketing tactics. Given that Dioniso represents an elegant and high-end image, I decided to incorporate the concept of celebrity endorsement, suggesting that famous actors had visited our cocktail lounge. This approach added a sense of prestige and curiosity for anyone passing by.
To bring this idea to life, I spent several hours sourcing celebrity images, color-correcting them to harmonize with the green curtain backdrop I created (to match the brand’s visual identity), and digitally adding cocktails to their hands. In many cases, I had to completely reconstruct or shade their hands to make the compositions look natural and believable. The end result was both visually engaging and subtly humorous.
This project has been one of my most rewarding experiences to date. Although it required a significant investment of time, effort, and resources from printing and material costs to budgeting and coordinating with my teammate, the outcome made it all worthwhile. During the Brand Expo at John Abbott College, our work was so well-received that many attendees believed our brand was real and even inquired about future catering opportunities.
Participating in this event allowed me to strengthen my skills in design, teamwork, and project management, while also giving me the satisfaction of bringing a creative concept to life. I’m incredibly grateful for the support of my program, the dedicated instructors, and my classmates, all of whom made this experience and the year 2025 truly unforgettable.