We was asked to create and brand the Aki-To Cafe.

 

A modern coffee shop offering the coolest and freshest shakes, the best coffee and some of the most delightful snacks available in the Helsinki area. With a friendly atmosphere, the shop often attracts people from all angles, whether you're a coffee connoisseur or just enjoy the odd croissant in the mornings, you'll find exactly what you need at the Aki-To Cafe.

We wanted to create a friendly yet quirky personality for our brand, whilst also focussing on good health and overal well being. Earthy colours were used to create a natural feel to the brand, whilst also showcase the honesty and innocence behind the service and products offered. Simplicity was another key factor, we didn't see the point in over complicating a brand that quite simply, didn't need complicting.

We also didn't want the brand to be predictable, yes of course you can go and order your favourite product every day, but we also wanted to add something extra. We wanted to show that we think of our customers as people, not just a means to make money, so we decided to have a different menu every day, not just a different deal for each day of a week but a completely different, but small, menu every day along with our standard menu. We felt that this would give a bit of variety to the customers and also offer a taste of the culture to tourists wishing to make the most of their time in Helsinki.

Have you ever been somewhere, and all you wanted to do was bring a piece of it home with you? I think we've all had that feeling. So we decided to make Aki-To Cafe not just a dine in cafe, but one where you could take some of our products back home, such as our signature coffee beans and flavourings. We felt that as Helsinki is such a popular destination for the travelling type, why not let them keep part of Helsinki with them?

Being green was also another important factor in our branding, for too long have people taken little care of the environment in which we live in, and finally people are starting to take note of what is happening to our planet, Thisis why we decided that most, if not all, packaging should be recyclable or at least reusable.

Takeaway coffee cups have become somewhat of a household item, walk through any high street and you'll see someone holding one. We wanted to design a coffee cup that people would want to keep and not just throw away, especially people from outside the Helsinki area. All three cups would be available as throw aways and the cups to keep, featuring longer lasting materials so that the ones to keep could be used time and time again, reminding the owner of not only Helsinki, but also the Aki-To brand.

Who said you have to go to a coffee shop to get your favourite drink or snack? Not us. 

Introducing Aki-To Go.

 

We didn't want to target just tourists, but also create a bond with the businesses in the city centres where workers may not have time to pop to their local store, we decided that it would be ideal if there was an Aki-To Go truck set up in various locations, near affiliated businesses which would double up as a mobile cafe, all the goodness of Aki-To Cafe but brought directly to your work place!