Three exceptional branding projects are demonstrating how strong graphic identity and clear visual language can transform businesses and communities across different scales. From small design brands and independent restaurants to entire neighborhoods, these standout projects are setting today's design standards and showing the power of thoughtful visual communication.
The first project features Land Form, a Sydney-based landscape architecture studio that received a striking new identity from branding specialists Studio Mimu. When the landscape architects described themselves as "the hippies of architecture," the creative team saw this as an opportunity rather than a challenge. "We knew that this was a great jumping off point for creating something that emphasized nature over ego," says Mike Souvanthalisith, who co-founded Studio Mimu with Muriel Ann Ricafrente.
The resulting brand identity showcases an earthy color palette inspired by native Australian landscapes, complemented by a custom logo created by cutting a modified version of the Reform typeface from digital foundry Source Type. According to Ricafrente, "The pairing of chamfered shapes and sharp corners on the logo was inspired by the team's philosophy around creating harmony between people, place and country." The comprehensive branding package includes brand guidelines and website design that perfectly captures the studio's environmental focus.
The second project tackled the complex challenge of branding an entire neighborhood when London and New York-based agency DNCO reimagined the visual identity for Brooklyn's Dumbo district. "The challenge was to reassert Dumbo's character – not as a backdrop but as a bold, layered and forward-thinking neighborhood," explains Luis Mendoza, DNCO's managing director for North America. "For us, it starts with deeply understanding the place."
Mendoza describes Dumbo as full of contradictions: "industrial and imaginative, historic and future-facing, polished and rough around the edges. You don't brand that with a single logo or slogan. You build a system that can hold all of that tension and express it dynamically." While keeping the original logo for continuity, DNCO created a distinctive graphic-tape motif inspired by the humble cardboard box, which was actually invented in the area. The tape visual serves multiple purposes – directing the eye, adding movement, and creating satisfying motion design as the logo appears to be pulled away.
The neighborhood's new visual system features a chunky sans-serif typeface set against bold, bright colors, creating a look that appears simple yet refined. "We never wanted the identity to feel sterile or over-worked," Mendoza adds. The versatile design is now being used across various communications, from civic planning and social media to street signage and cultural programming, successfully representing what Mendoza calls "a different side to New York."
The third project brings Italian flair to Hong Kong through the branding of Primo Posto, a trattoria in the Sheung Wan neighborhood that serves authentic Milanese cuisine including cotoletta alla Milanese and riso al salto. The vibrant new graphic identity was created by Panglossian Studio, which has offices in Shenzhen, Hong Kong, and Venice.
Drawing inspiration from Italian futurism, particularly painter Fortunato Depero's bold, rhythmic visuals, the branding is dynamic, active, and playful. The centerpiece is a distinctive P logo defined by overlaid linework and a palette of contrasting yet harmonious tones. Depero's influence extends throughout the design system, particularly in the clever illustrations of classic Italian hand gestures that are woven into everything from menus to wine lists.
"The gestures are a playful nod to the clichés that people often associate with the Milanese. It's a way to make guests smile, to have a point of connection with something familiar," explains Sara Biancaccio, Panglossian Studio's Milan-born co-founder. These familiar motions are elevated through a graphic system inspired by Depero's striking visual language, resulting in a brand that is rhythmic, expressive, and full of character – one that invites curiosity and connection rather than simply replicating tradition.
These three projects demonstrate that exceptional graphic design goes beyond aesthetics to capture the essence of place, philosophy, and purpose. Whether serving a landscape architecture firm, an entire neighborhood, or an Italian restaurant, each identity successfully balances creativity with functionality, proving that thoughtful branding can elevate any venture from the ordinary to the extraordinary.
