Maria wanted her café to feel like a secret spot in her hometown. An oasis of summer in the middle of Hamburg's harsh, cold weather. So I went about it as if I would for a family member, asking deeply personal questions to define visual identity: favourite smells in this place, which Brazilian comfort foods she would serve and why, how does that evening walk in Rio feel like to her, and went about it from there.

We got to this identity system that consists of a flowing, abstract pattern reminiscent of aromas and Copacabana, paired with a custom logo of custom hand-drawn typography that alludes to traditional Latin American type and a secondary mark to be used for stamps, in the same style as the lesser-known cashew fruit. A fruit that only Brazilians, south american's at most, can recognize (german's guess it's paprika), making it a symbol of home. Colours are saturated, even the pastels, unapologetically. The visual language extends to packaging, merchandise, signage, and social media. A balance between playful illustration and clean type. The brand was designed to be both tactile and digital, inviting customers into a space that feels familiar and vibrant. If you go there, you're immediately a part of her large extended family.