Émari
Overview:
Émari is a luxury resort situated in the foothills of the French Pyrenees. This hypothetical hospitality brand is shaped by its adherence to three core values: (1) Basque cultural immersion, (2) farm-to-table gastronomy, and (3) environmental sustainability. The small-scale, yet high-end nature of this establishment is designed to foster intimate relationships between guests, locals and their natural surroundings.
Deliverables:
Brand Identity + Strategy, Editorial Design, Packaging Design, Print Design, Spatial Design, UX / UI Design
Brand Identity | Lockup Variations
In the process of developing the visual identity system for this brand, I developed a bold typographic language that is reminiscent of Basque signage, and sourced colors that I frequently observed within the region’s coast and countryside.
Within this region’s villages, I frequently came into contact with simple graphic motifs; namely, triangles, diamonds, crosses, and “x”-shaped symbols. With this memory in mind, I created multiple logotype variations that mimic the structure of the forms and patterns I observed.
Print Design | Fold-Out Poster, Front + Back
Following the establishment of the identity system, I created a fold-out poster / brochure that is designed to inform prospective guests of the resort’s unique mission, amenities, and offerings. Here, we observe how the logotype functions as a graphic element.
UX / UI Design | Website, Booking Platform + I.G.
In today’s day and age, many travelers are introduced to new vacation destinations through an online web search, or through targeted advertisements on social media platforms. With this reality in mind, I created a simple website design that features a landing page, mission page, and online booking system. Instagram and Facebook accounts were also created to attract prospective guests.
During my stay in the Basque region, I frequently spent time foraging raspberries with my host family. I decided to commemorate this memory by incorporating a raspberry symbol into the identity of the brand. In the touch points featured above, we observe this element functioning as a menu button on the website, and as profile imagery on social media platforms.
Spatial Design | Retail Boutique, Way-Finding, Guest Room, + Wine Cellar
After booking a reservation on the Émari website, visitors will have the opportunity to engage with the brand at the resort itself. During their stay, guests will experience the luxurious, yet inviting feel of the identity system as they navigate through the interior and exterior grounds of the establishment.
Print + Packaging Design | Assorted Merchandise
To memorialize their stay, guests will return home with a suitcase full of souvenirs. In tandem, these retail products remind visitors of the environmental, gastronomic, and cultural focus of the brand.
Editorial Design | Zine
Those who are interested in learning more about the Basque lifestyle are invited to flip through the pages of Marmelada, the resort’s quarterly zine. During my stay in this region, I loved to create marmalade from the fruits of my host family’s garden; this fond memory is what inspired the title of this publication.
Through the process of creating this brand, I ultimately realized that I’d love to conduct more work within the realm of hospitality in the future. The prospect of improving my French language skills and exploring uncharted territory will never fail to excite me.