The Barn
Branding & Identity

Developing a brand that celebrates Palestinian culture and community in Ottawa

This project focused on designing the full brand identity for The Barn, a Palestinian-owned café located in Ottawa. The goal was to create a warm, modern brand that celebrates heritage and craftsmanship while appealing to a broad local audience.

Three chickens on dirt ground with rocks and a chain link fence in the background, overlaid with the text "The Barn Palestinian Cafe & Barn" and a white olive branch logo.
Nine variations of a logo for 'The Barn,' each featuring different hand-drawn styles and simple illustrations of leaves or branches.

Process

Blending culture with modern design

Research began with exploring Palestinian art, symbols, and textures that evoke warmth and community. I combined these influences with clean typography and a grounded colour palette inspired by natural materials and traditional tones. The visual direction aimed to balance heritage with simplicity, creating an identity that feels both rooted and contemporary.

Result

A welcoming and culturally grounded brand identity

The final design features organic type, handcrafted textures, and earthy colours that reflect the café’s community spirit. Across signage, packaging, and merchandise, the brand feels authentic and inviting, a true reflection of The Barn’s story and roots in Palestinian culture.

Wooden sign with a leaf and olive branch design, reading 'THE BARN Palestinian Café & Barn' in carved letters.
Three brown menus with embossed text reading "The Barn Palestinian Cafe & Barn" on a beige background.
A green disposable coffee cup with a white lid and logo for 'The Barn Palestinian Cafe & Barn' on a beige background.
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