Italio logo

Italio came to Push with the challenge to help launch their fast-casual Italian restaurant. Though the restaurant’s concept was already in place, Italio was in need of branding and marketing to define them as a major player in the fast-casual arena.

Strategy
In launching Italio, the strategy was to create a brand — specifically a name and descriptor line — that would easily communicate what kind of restaurant Italio is to the public. Using simple and sophisticated design, Push created a logo, icon set, descriptor (“Modern Italian Kitchen”) and brand language, referred to as “How to Speak Italio.”

As part of the branding, Push also developed an innovative website, launched social media efforts, designed employee uniforms and menus. Once the brand development and implementation were completed, Push activated the brand through various promotions, LTOs and local restaurant marketing plan developed specifically for Italio.

Italio icons

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio logo

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Italio brand identity

Credits:
Chief creative officer: Chris Robb
Design director, interactive director and lead designer: Mark Unger
Creative director: Ron Boucher
Senior writer: Kevin Harrell
Lead copywriter: Bree Adamson
Studio: Joe Ciaramella, Jordan Donato
Photographer: Doug Scalletta

Push elsewhere on Identity Designed: Hubbly Bubbly, Old Chicago.

Comments

I always find red can be a tough colour to work with as it doesn’t sit well with everything.

As such the branding here is excellent as aside from the excellent typography and icon design, they’ve made the bold red work well in every single instance.

So simple but works so well.

The little icons are a great touch, and it’s really nice to see a font that complements the word-mark so well.

Great job!

I think this is great!

The logotype screams ‘contemporary Italian’ and I love the way the styling has been carried through to the icons. It’s simple but the attention to detail, like the photographic style and colour scheme, give it such impact and presence.

E ‘meraviglioso!

I love how the modern script type is a reference to pasta, as if it were made from spaghetti without looking silly. Red makes absolute sense for an Italian shop. The team was smart in balancing the red with earthy tones. My only criticism would be that the shop design and architecture feels a bit “Chipotle”. Other than that, well done!

Love the branding, really well done. However on the window vinyl it says “IITCHEN” instead of “KITCHEN”

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