Niwa, which translates to “garden” in Japanese, is a farm-to-table restaurant located in East Vancouver. The team behind the venture is made up of folks from Ugly Dumpling and Dachi – spots beloved by Studio Roslyn. We were excited to be part of their new project in crafting the visual identity for Niwa. The goal was to create a brand that encapsulated comfort, elegance, a sense of delight, and an authentic connection to nature.

The Niwa team wanted to create a welcoming sense of familiarity and warmth, while delivering a Michelin-level product and experience. The brand accordingly needed to convey a refined yet approachable professionalism. They also wanted a few thoughtful, surprising details that would delight guests. With these principles in mind, we drew inspiration from Scandinavian Modernism and Japanese Organic Minimalism to develop a visual identity that embodies both simplicity and quality.

In terms of color and design elements, we focused on earthy brown and beige tones to give the brand a warm, organic foundation. These colors are complemented by a sky blue for a sense of calm airiness. This color palette works harmoniously with the wood, plaster, and fabric in the restaurant’s interiors (designed by Claire Saksun). To add a playful touch, we incorporated a blue dot in the “i” of Niwa, which also functions as a simple, memorable icon. This design element scaled beautifully across applications, from outdoor signage to gift cards, providing a cohesive and inviting brand experience.