Noem9 is a multidisciplinary design studio based in London, UK, founded by Spanish designer and illustrator Jose A. Garrido. Together with a fellow Spanish native, graphic designer Fabiola Correas, they created a new visual identity for the Spanish tapas bar Álamo. The inspiration for the design came from the tapas bar’s own menu and culinary style and was build around wood and food inspired illustrations. What makes the project especially interesting is the technique of screen printing and wood engraving used in Àlamo’s menus and business cards.
One of the tapas bar’s specialties are the sauces they serve with their dishes, so the designers used this in their creative process. It can be seen in the logo, the splash over the text, and it also inspired the various patterns found on the screen printed wooden business cards. Each card has a different sauce illustrated on it, representing different items on the menu. The huge engraved slabs of wood, with the menu burned on them, is very creative, unique and memorable.
The visual identity goes hand in hand with the monochromatic interior of the bar. One of the biggest trends of the moment in restaurant and bar interior design is huge chalk murals, and it can be found at Álamo as well. Here it has been combined with cool typography which the two designers created together. Watch the video in the end of the making off the mural.
