ILLUSTRATED BRANDING FOR BARS & FRANCHISES.
How a niche bar branded their franchise and Rakija brand like pros.
WELCOME TO THE HOUSE OF RAKHIAS.
Rakia, Rakija, Rachiu, or Raki (/ˈrɑːkiə, ˈræ-, rəˈkiːə/), is the collective term for fruit spirits (or fruit brandy) popular in the Balkans. Whenever you’re in the Balkans, it’s always a good time to have a rakija. Preferably in good company.
The idea behind Rakhia Bar was to create a welcoming and friendly place that feels like home. The same place would host memorable events where everyone could have a good time while enjoying delicious and original rakijas.
For several years now, they’re firmly holding the #1 bar rank in Rijeka (according to Tripadvisor).
THE CHALLENGE.
Rakhia’s concept is fun, urban, and authentic. They’re a trendsetter, rather than a conformist. The brand is about sharing the culture of having a good time while educating guests about fine Rakijas.
Rakhia’s biggest problem wasn’t about taste, or the lack of fun, but rather about the lack of decent visual representation.
Illustrating brandy labels is one thing, but creating a visual system that can be applied to all forms of communication (social media posts, branding, event promotion, labels, interior design) is another ballpark.
BAR & FRANCHISE BRANDING DESIGN.
Creatively speaking, when we were redesigning the existing visual standards, a lot of ideas got shuffled around all the time.
The only visual element that stuck with the brand was its symbolic “flying pig” icon and the characteristic yellow color. We decided to use those noticeable elements and build the branding from the ground up.
The goal was to create a strong and appealing visual identity that stands out in a fun way and communicates with the ideal customer.
The end result was a flexible illustrated logo that shines on any format - coasters, staff shirts, glasses, interior, menus, merch, etc.
Other than the bar branding, the same visual system can be expanded and put to use on a potential franchise model.
MATCHING BRANDING WITH INTERIOR DESIGN.
Customers share stories of the places they’ve visited and had a good time. Having an amazing interior is like having a silent salesman.
If your business’s space isn’t on-brand, your whole image falls apart.
Lucky for everyone - the bar interior was designed by Arhpanorama Studio and assembled by Zivot Design. All pre-defined branding elements were masterfully incorporated.
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Although rakija is a traditional drink, it shouldn’t be considered as something for Balkan grandparents only. Rakijas are original, creative and iconic, ans should be presented as such.
One of Rakhia’s main goals was to bring this lovely brandy closer to a younger generation of party animals.
Since The Hogster is Rakhia’s own in-house rakija brand, we treated the label design as an extension of the Rakhia brand. Hogs (boars) are wild and strong, while Rakhia is urban, fun and imposing.
THE HOGSTER.
Rakhia Bar is still “always open” and hosting crazy memorable events with loads of rakijas.
Funny enough, in 2022 they’ve sold over 85 000 shots of The Hogster.
Currently, they’re planning an ever-bigger push with a franchise expansion.
