AEP
AEP is a Kansas City Thai restaurant owned by chef Jakob Paloco and Adam Northcraft. Inspired by trips to Thailand and a love for culinary art, AEP offers regional Thai cuisine and modern street food in a mix of old world and new world styles.
AEP approached Special Edition Co. to create a visual identity inspired by vintage Thai action movies, comic books, and neon signs. AEP (pronounced ape), is a northern Thai method for slow-grilling food wrapped in banana leaves. We focused on the name for the primary brand mark and developed a set of graphic elements and duo-toned vintage imagery to accompany the mark in different branding scenarios.
AEP is a Kansas City Thai restaurant owned by chef Jakob Paloco and Adam Northcraft. Inspired by trips to Thailand and a love for culinary art, AEP offers regional Thai cuisine and modern street food in a mix of old world and new world styles.
AEP approached Special Edition Co. to create a visual identity inspired by vintage Thai action movies, comic books, and neon signs. AEP (pronounced ape), is a northern Thai method for slow-grilling food wrapped in banana leaves. We focused on the name for the primary brand mark and developed a set of graphic elements and duo-toned vintage imagery to accompany the mark in different scenarios.
AEP is a Kansas City Thai restaurant owned by chef Jakob Paloco and Adam Northcraft. Inspired by trips to Thailand and a love for culinary art, AEP offers regional Thai cuisine and modern street food in a mix of old world and new world styles.
AEP approached Special Edition Co. to create a visual identity inspired by vintage Thai action movies, comic books, and neon signs. AEP (pronounced ape), is a northern Thai method for slow-grilling food wrapped in banana leaves. We focused on the name for the primary brand mark and developed a set of graphic elements and duo-toned vintage imagery to accompany the mark in different scenarios.
My Role
Branding & Identity
Web Design
Menu Design
Motion Graphics
Promotional Design
Collaborators
Trent Roach
Special Edition Co.
Completed
2017
Inspiration & Visual Research
Inspiration &
Visual Research
Inspiration &
Visual Research
We kicked off the process learning about AEP's owners, what inspires them, and their mission with the restaurant. With their frequent travels to Thailand, they grew to love the vintage Thai action movies, neon signage throughout cities, iconic Thai statues, and comics.
We researched various interests of AEP's owners. With their frequent travels to Thailand, they grew to love the vintage Thai action movies, neon signage throughout cities, iconic Thai statues and comics.
We kicked off the process learning about AEP's owners, what inspires them, and their mission with the restaurant. With their frequent travels to Thailand, they grew to love the vintage Thai action movies, neon signage throughout cities, iconic Thai statues, and comics.
Process & Iteration
Process & Iteration
We iterated broadly, drawing inspiration from our research. We tested out different typefaces, patterns, graphic elements, colors, and styles.
We iterated broadly drawing inspiration from our research. We tested out different typefaces, graphic elements, colors and styles.
Final Brand
Final Brand
After several rounds of review and collaboration with the owners, we created a vibrant brand identity for AEP. The final brand and color palette is inspired by our research. A vast array of graphic elements offers a flexible kit for usage when creating promotional materials.
The final brand and color pallete are inspired by the research, but we also had extensive collaboration sessions with the client to ensure the vibe was perfect. A vast array of graphic elements offers a flexible kit for usage when creating promotional materials for the restaurant.
Menu Design V01
Menu Design V01
We designed menus for two seasons of AEP's food and beverage offerings. The first season includes lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, and drinks. The menu designs utilize the brand elements paired with duo-toned imagery from vintage Thai films.
We designed menus for two seasons of AEP's food and beverage offerings. The first season includes lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour and drinks. The menu designs utilize the brand elements paired with duo-toned imagery from vintage Thai films.
We designed menus for two seasons of AEP's food and beverage offerings. The first season includes lunch, brunch, dinner, happy hour, and drinks. The menu designs utilize the brand elements paired with duo-toned imagery from vintage Thai films.
Menu Design V02
Menu Design V02
For the second iteration of AEP's menus, we designed a slightly different orientation with new layouts to accommodate the new menu offerings.
For the second iteration of AEP's menus, we designed a slightly different orientation with new layouts to accommodate the new menu offerings.
Social Media Promo Images & Animations
Social Media Promo Images & Animations
We used the brand and graphic elements to create various social media images and animations to promote events and specials at AEP.
We created various social media images and animations to promote events and specials at AEP.
We used the brand and graphic elements to create various social media images and animations to promote events and specials at AEP.
Website Design
Website Design
Website Design
The web experience for AEP features a vibrant animation on the landing page and brand elements throughout page backgrounds.
We designed a simple website for AEP which features an animation landing page and brand elements throughout page backgrounds.
