kailani thumbnail coffee shop entrance

Kailani is a Hawaiian coffee shop. The logo should reflect the shop's stylish, versatile, and unique identity, embodying the laid-back yet vibrant atmosphere of Hawaii. This local gem offers a range of beverages, including coffee, teas, and refreshing drinks, alongside delicious pastries, snacks, poke bowls, and acai bowls, enriching the community with authentic island flavors and hospitality.

tropical hawaiian vibe restaurant
surfboards tropical

DESIGN THINKING

Rooted in Hawaiian tradition, Kailani draws inspiration from the sea and sky, infusing symbols like waves and tropical flora for elegance. With a groovy retro vibe, the design aims to capture Hawaiian mythology and the café’s tropical ambiance, appealing to young professionals, students, and locals seeking a relaxed experience. My approach aims to radiate energy, blend with nature, and capture the charm of Hawaiian culture.

Color palette

The logo's color palette captures the brand's tropical essence: the red-pink hue symbolizes the warmth of the rising sun in Hawaiian culture, reflecting its friendly nature, while the dark forest green represents the lush tropical forests, conveying stability and reliability. This contrast creates visual interest, making the logo memorable and appealing to customers.

kailani mockup foodtruck
kailani mockup pickup
kailani mockup coffee bag
kailani mockup tea
kailani mockup coffee drink cup
kailani mockup food
kailani mockup tote bag

Typeface

The typeface, groovy style complements the brand's tropical theme, reflecting Hawaii's vibe. Its thick strokes and rounded edges convey strength and stability, enhancing the brand's reliability and trustworthiness. This friendly look aligns perfectly with the brand's core values of hospitality and warmth, making it highly appealing.

coffee beans
kailani mockup instagram feed
kailani mockup menu

Construction

By splitting the word into "kai" and "lani," the logo gains a natural symmetry and harmony. The elongation of the letter "i" ensures that both parts of the word maintain equal visual weight. A touch of red-pink hue in the tittle provides a subtle contrast against the dark forest green, enhancing readability and visual interest. These choices make the logo feel well-balanced and carefully put together.

kailani logo color

It was so much fun working on this project. I absolutely love diving into nature-inspired designs. I did hit a bit of a roadblock trying to blend the words seamlessly, but after some trial and error, I managed to stretch one of the letters just right, and voilà!