CASE STUDY

Swiss Charm, Modern Appeal: Illustrating Le Chalet's Rebrand Journey

Breathing New Life into Tradition
Le Chalet, a charming Swiss restaurant, pursued a rebranding journey that required brand redesign illustration to capture their essence. I was thrilled to partner with them, providing rebranding art direction to ensure the illustrations not only reflected their modern identity but also embraced the timeless allure of classic ink drawings. The result was a visual transformation that authentically represented their brand and appealed to both new and returning customers.

A Menu in Pictures
The brief demanded a collection of 15-20 food and product illustrations, alongside captivating scenes of the restaurant's interior and picturesque exterior. As part of the marketing and advertising illustration strategy, I designed restaurant menu illustrations that highlighted the restaurant’s offerings with artistic appeal. Additionally, hand-drawn restaurant illustrations captured the ambiance of the space, while restaurant interior illustrations brought the dining experience to life. Evoking the charm of traditional lino-cut techniques, the goal was to strike a balance between realism and artistic flair, avoiding a hyper-realistic or overly cartoonish style.

Collaborative Cuisine
The initial focus was on their delectable menu. After receiving a list of traditional Swiss dishes, I collaborated closely with their marketing team, offering suggestions on plate composition and the optimal number of items per illustration. As part of the creative restaurant illustrations, each dish was carefully depicted to highlight its unique qualities. Additionally, I developed food illustration for the restaurant that not only captured the essence of the menu but also complemented the overall dining experience. We also accommodated additional menu favourites they wished to highlight.

Product Packaging, Perfectly Portrayed
Product illustrations presented a unique challenge. Maintaining the integrity of existing packaging designs, often with intricate details, was crucial. As part of the rebranding illustration process, I used a keen eye to balance showcasing the packaging's structure while emphasizing key branding elements. This ensured that everything aligned seamlessly with Le Chalet's refreshed aesthetic, reinforcing their updated brand identity.

Capturing the Ambiance
Illustrating the restaurant's interior and exterior spaces played a vital role in conveying their welcoming atmosphere. Key architectural features were incorporated to emphasize the traditional Swiss charm, while the inclusion of wait staff in their traditional attire further enriched the overall visual narrative.

Balancing the Bite
Perhaps the biggest challenge lay in depicting the mouthwatering dishes. Capturing the essence of each meal in a single black-and-white illustration required a meticulous balance of positive and negative space. This involved experimentation to achieve compositions that showcased every element clearly, without visual clutter. The process involved creating custom rebranding illustrations that aligned with Le Chalet’s refreshed brand identity.

The final series of illustrations successfully brought Le Chalet's rebrand to life. From delectable dishes to cozy interiors, each image became a key component of their illustrative branding, reflecting both the restaurant's rich heritage and their exciting new chapter.