MEC – Boras.design

MEC Restaurant & Museum

Role

Lead UX/UI designer and branding specialist

Overview

MEC combines a Michelin-starred restaurant and an Apple museum, merging culinary excellence with digital innovation. I developed the brand identity and website, integrating the elegance of fine dining with Apple’s nostalgic 80s aesthetic. The branding received the Bronze Agora Award for its creative fusion of these two worlds

Responsibilities

• Developed the brand identity, including the first logo inspired by Apple’s early 80s logo

• Designed and built the website to create a seamless experience that bridges the two worlds of fine dining and digital culture

• Crafted visual branding elements that reflect the dual nature of MEC’s concept

Main Goal

To create a brand identity and digital experience for MEC, a unique Michelin-starred restaurant and Apple museum that merges culinary art with the spirit of digital innovation

Target Audience

Visitors interested in high-end culinary experiences, tech enthusiasts, and tourists exploring Palermo’s cultural and historic scene

Process

Research Phase:

• Methods: Analyzed the identities of similar high-end restaurants and tech museums. Studied Apple’s early branding and interviewed stakeholders to understand the experience envisioned for MEC

• Key Findings: The brand needed to effectively communicate both the rigor of a Michelin-starred restaurant and the dynamic, colorful history of Apple’s technology

2. Ideation Phase:

• Approach: Developed branding concepts that visually integrate culinary excellence with tech culture. Explored the use of rainbow colors from Apple’s 80s logo to symbolize creativity and nostalgia.

3. Design and Development Phase:

• Design Challenges: Balancing the refined aesthetic of a Michelin-starred experience with the vibrant, tech-oriented theme of the museum

• Solutions: Created a logo that fused the elegance of fine dining with the playful rainbow elements of Apple’s history. The website was designed to maintain this balance, with sleek visuals and interactive elements that highlight both aspects of MEC

4. Testing and Implementation Phase:

• Testing Methods: Conducted user feedback sessions with early visitors to the restaurant and museum, focusing on the website’s ease of use and the branding’s ability to convey MEC’s unique offering

• Feedback Integration: Refined branding elements to better capture the dual experience and adjusted website navigation based on user input to improve accessibility

Outcome

Quantitative Results:

The MEC website saw a 25% higher engagement rate compared to similar venues, with users spending more time exploring both the culinary and tech sections.

Qualitative Feedback:

Visitors appreciated the nostalgic Apple-inspired branding, noting that it enhanced their overall experience and effectively merged the two worlds.

Personal Reflection:

This project taught me the nuances of integrating two distinct cultural experiences into a cohesive brand identity, balancing elegance with energy.

Conclusion

Project Summary:

MEC successfully brought together the worlds of fine dining and digital nostalgia through a cohesive brand and digital experience. The branding and website design received wide recognition, culminating in a Bronze Agora Award for branding excellence.