Buds & Beans

Albuquerque, New Mexico

CLIENT
Buds & Beans

YEAR
2023

ROLE
Art Direction
Branding & Identity
Print & Digital Design

About
Buds & Beans

Buds & Beans is a local community gathering space dedicated to creating an inclusive environment for LGBTQIA+ individuals while offering exceptional specialty coffee and delicious food. However, they faced challenges in establishing a brand that effectively communicated their commitment to safety and creativity. They sought our assistance to refocus their brand for greater clarity while adding a touch of whimsy and familiarity for both their current patrons and future clientele. In addition to rebranding, Playdeadpixel explored promotional marketing strategies to support the brand's ongoing development.

Overview

Problem

Buds & Beans encountered multiple branding challenges, such as targeting an audience that may be too young and dealing with an overly detailed logo that affected usability and legibility. The design elements were imbalanced, and excessive detail compromised branding applications. Additionally, the brand was confused with Airbnb or traditional bed-and-breakfast establishments, and the typography was unsuitable for a café setting. Furthermore, the plant illustration did not accurately reflect the business’s offerings. These issues underscored the need for a more cohesive and effective branding strategy.
Solution

Playdeadpixel explored various brand identities for Buds & Beans by creating iterations of the previous sloth concept while also considering more modern, coffee-centric designs. Ultimately, the brand struggled to clearly convey what the establishment offered, necessitating a focus on coffee to emphasize its role as a gathering place for good food and drink. The café’s style transitioned from illustrative to a boho modern abstract design, highlighting the need for a strong visual language to reflect its founding principles. A new color palette was introduced to soften and modernize the café's image, while also reconnecting guests to its unique characteristics, such as offering adult beverages and serving as a flexible performance and community gathering space.