Acts Two Café Night.
a space for people of all walks of life to connect, unwind, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company and great coffee
How can we create a space where strangers can feel comfortable with sharing their life's stories?
As my friends and I thought through this question, influenced by our love for people and desire to help them feel seen and heard (and deeply influenced by our love for cafes as the perfect setting where conversations happen and stories are exchanged), we came up with Acts Two Cafe Night: a one-evening event in Berkeley, CA, sought to accomplish just that.
a space for people of all walks of life to connect, unwind, and enjoy the simple pleasures of good company and great coffee
How can we create a space where strangers can feel comfortable with sharing their life's stories?
As my friends and I thought through this question, influenced by our love for people and desire to help them feel seen and heard (and deeply influenced by our love for cafes as the perfect setting where conversations happen and stories are exchanged), we came up with Acts Two Cafe Night: a one-evening event in Berkeley, CA, sought to accomplish just that.
Brand Identity
Graphic Design
Print Media
Marketing
Event Planning
Brand Identity
Graphic Design
Print Media
Marketing
Event Planning
01
Logo Mark
02
Combination
Logo Mark
Logo Design
The logo for this cafe night is a combination mark containing a logo mark and variable word marks which are used in different scenarios. The logo mark is composed of three hanging lights above a typical cafe chair by a cup of coffee on a table. The three hanging lights, though all visually different from each other, are meant to represent each individual person's different narratives. As they hang above the seat, the space below is illuminated. The open chair lends itself as an invitation for someone to take a seat, enjoy the coffee, and poses as an invitation for them to share their story.
I adapted a combination of the script font Amsterdam Three and the serif font Tan Tangkiwood. (Interestingly, Tan Tangkiwood was inspired by 70s vibes aligns, which historically with the popularization of cafes in the late 1970s, when people started spending more time in cafes!)
The logo for this cafe night is a combination mark containing a logo mark and variable word marks which are used in different scenarios. The logo mark is composed of three hanging lights above a typical cafe chair by a cup of coffee on a table. The three hanging lights, though all visually different from each other, are meant to represent each individual person's different narratives. As they hang above the seat, the space below is illuminated. The open chair lends itself as an invitation for someone to take a seat, enjoy the coffee, and poses as an invitation for them to share their story.
I adapted a combination of the script font Amsterdam Three and the serif font Tan Tangkiwood. (Interestingly, Tan Tangkiwood was inspired by 70s vibes aligns, which historically with the popularization of cafes in the late 1970s, when people started spending more time in cafes!)
Transforming the Flyers into an Invitation
For this project, our goal was to elevate the experience of receiving a flyer by making it feel more like an invitation. We wanted the flyer not just to inform but also to welcome and entice recipients. By incorporating design elements and wording typically found in invitations, we aimed to create a sense of exclusivity and warmth. This approach was intended to enhance the overall impact, making recipients feel valued and more intrigued by our cafe night's premise.
Additionally, we went out to personally spread the word (tabling on campus, visiting cafes, etc) in order to make a human connection with people. We even went as far as handing out donuts as a precursor to the desserts we'd have at the actual event!
For this project, our goal was to elevate the experience of receiving a flyer by making it feel more like an invitation. We wanted the flyer not just to inform but also to welcome and entice recipients. By incorporating design elements and wording typically found in invitations, we aimed to create a sense of exclusivity and warmth. This approach was intended to enhance the overall impact, making recipients feel valued and more intrigued by our cafe night's premise.
Additionally, we went out to personally spread the word (tabling on campus, visiting cafes, etc) in order to make a human connection with people. We even went as far as handing out donuts as a precursor to the desserts we'd have at the actual event!
Menu Design
Coffee, Desserts, & Design!
For the actual night of the event, I designed the main menu for our coffee bar with a large chalkboard sign. We decided on a simple pun, "How've you been?" coffee bar as an easy way for people to connect with our baristas as they wait to receive their orders.
I then populated our dessert table with various smaller chalkboard signs. This was to mirror the familiar rustic feel typically seen at cafes while providing clarity for our guests to know what options were available.
For the actual night of the event, I designed the main menu for our coffee bar with a large chalkboard sign. We decided on a simple pun, "How've you been?" coffee bar as an easy way for people to connect with our baristas as they wait to receive their orders.
I then populated our dessert table with various smaller chalkboard signs. This was to mirror the familiar rustic feel typically seen at cafes while providing clarity for our guests to know what options were available.
Cafe Station Table Tents
Café Station Table Tents
Modeled after board game cafes that have designated spaces for visitors to interact with one another, we wanted to incorporate different sections of our venue. Each station has its own unique focus, from playing board games, writing and taking a letter, hands-on activities (like coloring books and legos), or even going on a blind date with a book.
I designed the table tents for each station to closely align with the overall branding. For the final table signage, I opted for a clear acrylic standing frame that would have greater durability.
Modeled after board game cafes that have designated spaces for visitors to interact with one another, we wanted to incorporate different sections of our venue. Each station has its own unique focus, from playing board games, writing and taking a letter, hands-on activities (like coloring books and legos), or even going on a blind date with a book.
I designed the table tents for each station to closely align with the overall branding. For the final table signage, I opted for a clear acrylic standing frame that would have greater durability.
Cindy Lo is a designer & illustrator based in the SF Bay Area.
This website was designed in Figma, built in Framer.
—
Cindy Lo is a designer & illustrator based in the SF Bay Area.
This website was designed in Figma, built in Framer.
Cindy Lo is a designer & illustrator based in the SF Bay Area.
This website was designed in Figma, built in Framer.