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A. Song

District Larder Co.

Website, brand patterns and storefront signage for a new artisan delicatessen, restaurant and marketplace opening in Washington, DC.

Sector
Delicatessen & restaurant
Agency
District Maven (opens in a new tab)
Role
Senior designer
Services
Branding, Website
A wooden stamp beside eight District Larder stamp designs on white paper, from a cherry-blossom seal to “To-Go” and “Crew” marks

The Challenges

Building a brand before the doors open

A new delicatessen, restaurant and curated marketplace in Washington, DC, from a RAMMY award finalist, needed one brand across digital and physical touchpoints before it opened. Alena worked on the project as a senior designer for District Maven, a DC hospitality marketing agency. The brief was market sophistication with neighbourhood accessibility, and subtle Japanese-inspired details drawn from the owner’s influences.

  • A kraft paper bag printed with District Larder’s pig and sandwich pattern, a receipt tucked into its handle, on stone steps
  • A wooden stamp beside the round District Larder cherry-blossom seal printed on white paper

The Solutions

Physical and digital, designed as one system

Four pattern concepts, from illustrated paper motifs for sandwich wrap to bold typographic systems and Japanese-inspired stamps. Around them, a custom stamp range for paper bags, staff deli hats and packaging, and vinyl stickers inspired by the owner’s love of anime. Each was shown in real use, so the client could see the system at every touchpoint.

  • Four District Larder pattern papers fanned out: kraft with pigs and seals, dark brown, cream with pigs and sandwiches, and grey with the wordmark
  • District Larder deli papers: a cream sheet with a deli-counter illustration and the wordmark, and a grid pattern of pigs and stamps
  • A roll of District Larder grid paper printed with pig illustrations and orange and navy stamps

The Result

Ready for opening day

District Larder Co. is preparing to launch with a fully designed website, a pattern system that scales from packaging to staff uniforms and storefront signage, and small physical moments, from custom stamps to anime-inspired stickers, that turn everyday touchpoints into brand experiences.