Brightsmith

Working with the amazing interior design team at Harrison, I was tasked with branding a newly designed and refurbished lakeside bar and restaurant at the Hilton NEC Metropole. I joined the project at a point where the brand personality had been established - the name was inspired by one of the trades that helped make Birmingham the affluent city it was, Brightsmith's were craftsmen that worked with metals and semi-precious metals, so I wanted to demonstrate some of those skills and processes in my designs.

I started by looking at elements that made up the job of a Brightsmith, the colours, tools, processes. I liked the graphic shape of sparks flying, that could also be seen as a splash - fitting for the location too.

I felt the simplicity of pairing a copper/gold colour from the metals used, with a charcoal grey from the coals and metal tools with a nod to the waterside location, was the best palette to use.

As I developed the logo itself, I tried combing the sparks with a watery element, but felt the sparks/splash could do both jobs and we could simplify…

Our final version brought the interest of the sparks/splash together with a font that had skilful inlay, highlighting the craftwork that the Brightsmith would have had.

I wanted to use real copper sheets for the menus and bill clips, so we looked at various finishes

For secondary elements, I liked the way metals tarnish and so used that as a pattern but using the blue and charcoal from our palette to contrast against the copper.

When we brought it all together on the menu, we ended up with a combination of sophistication and craftsmanship - the perfect combination of the Brightsmith's process.

When we brought it all together on the menu, we ended up with a combination of sophistication and craftsmanship - the perfect combination of the Brightsmith's process.

I chose a secondary font that was clear and simple, but just had the odd quirk to keep our craftsman theme going throughout.