Masons Restaurant Bar
Brand Identity Design, Marketing Collaterol.
Within the Manchester Hall Venue, Masons Restaurant Bar was the first restaurant to open on the ground floor. The logo was inspired by the Freemason's artefacts found within the former Freemasons Hall.
The triangles were symbolic to Freemasonry so I created a pattern that was used on the backs of velvet cushions, with two colour palettes I also used it on the different menus. They were colour fun bright and bold. Learn more about my inspiration bat the end.
Each season we changed the look and feel of the menus. Autumn brought in the ivy and this particular designed featured the branded internal grills.
For the restaurant interior I was asked to design screens or grills to divide areas of the restaurant. This bespoke design contained the Masons logo within the symbolic triangles. The was lots of Freemason symbolism hidden with the designed interiors. Learn more at the bottom of the page.
Mother's Day - we designed for digital screens and social media platforms to promote the day and created menus in the style of Mother's Day cards that they could take away as a memento.
Drinks menu for an outside NRB Event.
Each season we changed the look and feel of the menus. Spring blossomed a beautiful floral theme that was also featured in the interiors from the ceilings.
INSPIRATION
The Masons name was the first to be created, taking inspiration from the rich Freemasons history within Manchester Hall . The name had that direct connection, yet it could also represent the first name ‘Mason’. And Mason could represent the style of the Restaurant Bar; a fresh, contemporary venue with a preppy British style; the young blood of the more sophisticated Manchester Hall. Wanting to keep elements of the Freemasons connection alive without it being obvious to all, I began to research much of the Freemasons symbolism.
I found in a Freemasons exhibit a collection of 18th Century robes which had an interesting symbol upon the aprons displayed. It is from that symbol that the Masons logo has evolved. The intention was to also create a brand mark that would stand alone and be recognised without its full title. The design could be used as a pattern for fabric, for print or interiors, to be used as a single image for social media profiles or as an employee brooch, pin or tie etc. When it came to the font, I chose Futura, a font that was designed around the time that the Hall was built in 1929. By incorporating that font throughout all the branding, it could have an authentic look yet still be a very contemporary style of graphic design. The strong geometric forms of the typeface complemented the circular brand mark in which the M for Masons sits. When it came to the colour scheme I wanted a stronger, more defined dark blue to echo the Freemasons use of blue, but I also took some influence from the interiors that were being designed by Hala Ali at the time. Green velvet was a prominent feature and there was to be an orange l.e.d light proposed under the rim of the bar, so together with a more preppy shade of blue I had the Masons colour Palette. Blue, apple green and orange with a secondary colour of a citrus yellow.
I found in a Freemasons exhibit a collection of 18th Century robes which had an interesting symbol upon the aprons displayed. It is from that symbol that the Masons logo has evolved. The intention was to also create a brand mark that would stand alone and be recognised without its full title. The design could be used as a pattern for fabric, for print or interiors, to be used as a single image for social media profiles or as an employee brooch, pin or tie etc. When it came to the font, I chose Futura, a font that was designed around the time that the Hall was built in 1929. By incorporating that font throughout all the branding, it could have an authentic look yet still be a very contemporary style of graphic design. The strong geometric forms of the typeface complemented the circular brand mark in which the M for Masons sits. When it came to the colour scheme I wanted a stronger, more defined dark blue to echo the Freemasons use of blue, but I also took some influence from the interiors that were being designed by Hala Ali at the time. Green velvet was a prominent feature and there was to be an orange l.e.d light proposed under the rim of the bar, so together with a more preppy shade of blue I had the Masons colour Palette. Blue, apple green and orange with a secondary colour of a citrus yellow.
One last element I wanted to portray more was - the triangle. A symbol of importance for the Freemasons as it represents the concept of the Deity in geometrical form and of the sacred number three. I had incorporated the triangle in a design for the grills and now I used this to create a brand pattern with brand colour triangles used in the menus and the cushion covers. This colourful pattern, I hoped, would break up the expanse of the green furniture. As a whole I feel that a fresh contemporary style has been delivered that also compliments the interior design.
When you ask people for their definition of Freemasons they always talk of a secret society. We wanted run with this secrecy theme. Metal grills were proposed which were used to create a screen between the Manchester Hall reception area and the Restaurant Bar. A, to let in more light and create a feeling of space and B, people could discreetly peek into the bar being able to see inside. The brand-mark was then used In the designs of the grills, but this time I kept the triangle shape within the pattern design which had been seen in the original inspiration. This pattern was also used to create gold window decals on the front windows to great effect.
