How it started

Creating a restaurant from scratch with the owner of Taj Ali was a great experience and it allowed me to strengthen my skills in UX/UI as well as graphic design. Through the many challenges we faced, we were able to increase our sales by 70-80% by the first three months of our opening day. I worked on designs ranging from small things like social media adverts, and flyers, all the way to the menu and website itself. In this project, I am going to share with you some of the designs I created to boost this businesses revenue and eventually lead them to opening their second branch.

The Challenge

Like I mentioned before, we experienced many challenges in the beginning. This was way more than just a design job for me, as I had to look over the businesses finances, customer demographics, and figure out solutions to complex issues in a short manner. This lead me to thinking, "How can my designs change the business?" I wondered how much power professional design had on a business.

The Logo

Creating a logo for Taj Ali Middle Eastern Restaurant was an exciting and collaborative process. The goal was to capture the essence of Middle Eastern cuisine while ensuring the design was modern, vibrant, and memorable.

1. Initial Research and Brainstorming:

   • Understanding the brand's identity and values.

   • Researching traditional Middle Eastern culinary symbols.

   • Exploring various design styles that could represent the restaurant's unique offerings.

2. Sketching and Drafting:

   • Drawing multiple sketches to explore different visual ideas.

   • Focusing on incorporating a chef figure to signify expertise and culinary art.

   • Including a kebab skewer to highlight the restaurant's specialty.

3. Digital Rendering:

   • Translating the selected sketch into a digital format using Adobe Illustrator.

   • Experimenting with different color schemes to find the perfect palette that reflects the Middle Eastern theme—settling on rich reds and bold blacks for a striking and appetizing look.

4. Refinement:

   • Fine-tuning the logo details to ensure clarity and balance.

   • Adjusting typography to complement the visual elements.

   • Seeking feedback from the restaurant owner to make necessary adjustments.

Signage Production:

• Collaborating with a signage company to produce a high-quality, durable sign for the new restaurant location.

• Choosing materials that would withstand weather conditions and remain vibrant over time.

Installation:

• Carefully installing the sign at the new location at 1501 Pine Lake Rd, Lincoln, NE.

• Ensuring the sign is well-lit and visible to attract potential customers

Brochures and Posters