If you’re looking for café branding inspiration, then this article is for you.
I’m an absolute sucker for cute cafés, bistros, and coffee shops. (Though, as a Dutchie, I have to clarify—when I say “coffee shop,” I mean a place that actually serves coffee, not… well, you know. 😉)
Today, I’m diving into the branding of STORIES, a café in Oakwood, near Leeds, UK. This cozy spot serves artisan coffee, cold-pressed juices, and a locally sourced menu. But what really caught my eye? Their playful, story-driven visual identity—crafted by Passport Design Bureau. This felt like the type of café branding inspiration I simply had to share.
📖 Table of Contents
- The Concept: Dots That Tell a Story
- What’s to Love About This Branding?
- Key Takeaways for Your Own Branding
- Three Things You Can Do Right Now
The Concept: Dots That Tell a Story
When it comes to café branding, we should go beyond beans. It isn’t just about coffee—it’s about people. And that’s exactly what inspired the brand’s design.
“We started by designing a contemporary logotype with customized characters that double as simplified representations of people; the staff, customers, and suppliers who create the stories.”
The dots in the branding represent the many different stories within the café—its guests, its products, its origins. Simple yet incredibly effective.
What’s to Love About This Branding?
I particularly love the use of a customized typeface in this design. Scandinavian minimalism is everywhere these days—it’s sleek, trendy, and works well for coffee shops. But the risk? Looking like every other café out there.
STORIES avoids that by:
✔️ Mixing different paper textures for printed materials.
✔️ Using a custom typeface that adds a unique touch.
✔️ Incorporating playful dot elements that tell a story.
The result? A Scandinavian-inspired brand that still feels authentic and original.
🗝️ Key Takeaways for Your Own Branding
Thinking about using a popular design style? Here are three things to keep in mind:
- Make it your own. If you’re using a trendy aesthetic, add personal touches to make your branding stand out.
- Ask yourself: does this really fit my business? Just because something is trendy doesn’t mean it’s the best fit for your brand.
- Look at your own story. What about your café, products, or location can inspire a unique visual identity?
✅ Three Things You Can Do Right Now
1️⃣ Evaluate your branding. Does it truly reflect your café’s unique story, or does it blend in with the crowd?
2️⃣ Experiment with textures. Try mixing different paper types for menus, flyers, or packaging to create a tactile, memorable experience.
3️⃣ Add a storytelling element. Whether it’s a logo detail, menu design, or social media content, find a way to visually represent your café’s story.
Curious how branding can make a café unforgettable? Then I’ve got some more café branding inspiration for you. Check out how Truth Coffee’s steampunk aesthetic sets it apart.
Looking for more branding inspiration and case studies like this? Subscribe to my newsletter and get expert insights delivered straight to your inbox every week! ✨📬
