Alení is a kitchen that only opens after dark. It’s not just dinner, it’s late hours, shared tables, soft lighting, and slow conversations. A space that feels familiar but special, shaped by the rhythm of the night.
The identity takes its cue from a single ray of light escaping through a door. This simple idea informed the entire system: a colour palette drawn from nocturnal tones, and a visual language based on contrasts of light and shadow.
A custom iron sign sits perpendicular to an interior wall, with the logo cut out and backlit. At night, it casts a shadow that reveals the brand, subtle, atmospheric, and perfectly Instagram-friendly™.
Menus are hand-stamped with the logo, adding a human, informal touch. This method also supports the kitchen’s flexible, seasonal approach: new dishes can be added without needing a full reprint, while the stamp keeps everything visually consistent.
Custom coasters extend the visual language with a series of bold, minimal illustrations. Using the same light-versus-dark approach, each one becomes a small piece of the identity.
Dennis
Creative Direction: Josh Nathanson
Design & Animations: Marina Coll
Design: Alma Mariscal
PM: Osvaldo Miranda
Photography: Shabnam Ferdowsi
Client: Funky
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