Morris & Coffee: An Arts and Crafts–Inspired Café Brand

Morris & Coffee: An Arts and Crafts–Inspired Café Brand

Client

Conceptual / Academic Project

Year

April 2025

The project encompassed a comprehensive brand system: primary and secondary logo sets, a nuanced color palette, typographic hierarchy, and guidelines for imagery, layout, and iconography. Beyond the graphic identity, the scope included the creation of a signature drink—the Strawberry Thief Matcha, named after Morris’s famed textile pattern—and the design and fabrication of miniature high-backed chairs inspired by Gustav Stickley and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. To bring the interior environment to life, my partner also hand-illustrated a bespoke wallpaper pattern, echoing Morris’s intricate botanical motifs and serving as a focal decorative element within the café. Research began with a deep dive into William Morris’s patterns and the philosophies of the broader Arts and Crafts movement. I analyzed the furniture forms of Gustav Stickley and the iconic high-backed chairs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh to guide the physical design elements. In parallel, I developed a modular brand system in Figma, defining logos, type hierarchy, and a natural color palette referencing Morris’s original dyes. Prototyping included laser-cut wood components and hand-applied upholstery for the miniature chairs. For the interior, I created a hand-drawn wallpaper pattern using ink and watercolor, translating botanical motifs into a repeatable design that echoed Morris’s textile work. The result is a holistic brand world where every detail—from drink concept to decorative motif—reflects the value of handcraft.

The project encompassed a comprehensive brand system: primary and secondary logo sets, a nuanced color palette, typographic hierarchy, and guidelines for imagery, layout, and iconography. Beyond the graphic identity, the scope included the creation of a signature drink—the Strawberry Thief Matcha, named after Morris’s famed textile pattern—and the design and fabrication of miniature high-backed chairs inspired by Gustav Stickley and Charles Rennie Mackintosh. To bring the interior environment to life, my partner also hand-illustrated a bespoke wallpaper pattern, echoing Morris’s intricate botanical motifs and serving as a focal decorative element within the café. Research began with a deep dive into William Morris’s patterns and the philosophies of the broader Arts and Crafts movement. I analyzed the furniture forms of Gustav Stickley and the iconic high-backed chairs of Charles Rennie Mackintosh to guide the physical design elements. In parallel, I developed a modular brand system in Figma, defining logos, type hierarchy, and a natural color palette referencing Morris’s original dyes. Prototyping included laser-cut wood components and hand-applied upholstery for the miniature chairs. For the interior, I created a hand-drawn wallpaper pattern using ink and watercolor, translating botanical motifs into a repeatable design that echoed Morris’s textile work. The result is a holistic brand world where every detail—from drink concept to decorative motif—reflects the value of handcraft.

Overview

“A handcrafted café concept celebrating the enduring beauty of the Arts and Crafts movement—where every sip, seat, and wall covering reflects the art of making.”

Client

Conceptual / Academic Project

Industry

Hospitality, Specialty Coffee, Experiential Branding

Service

Branding

Packaging

Industrial Design

Content

Tools

Illustrator, Figma, Photoshop, Laser Cutter, Upholstery Tools, Ink & Watercolor

The Challenge

Morris & Coffee is a conceptual café brand rooted in the philosophy of the Arts and Crafts movement. Inspired by the legacy of William Morris and his dedication to craftsmanship, the concept celebrates handwork and natural materials in every touchpoint—from visual identity to interior elements. The challenge was to translate a 19th-century design ethos into a contemporary coffee experience that felt tactile, timeless, and distinctly artisanal.

The Solution

The final design system delivered a refined, collectible card experience that embodied the exclusivity of Dorsia membership. Each card featured a custom hand-drawn illustration representing one of Dorsia’s premium restaurant partners — transforming the deck into a visual celebration of the brand’s partner network. The system emphasized harmony, cohesion, and craftsmanship.

The Result

Morris & Coffee demonstrates how historical research can inform a contemporary hospitality brand.

PORTFOLIO

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CHECK OUT SOME MORE

CHECK OUT SOME MORE

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Dorsia Venue Mapping System

Interaction design

UI/UX

Branding

Illustration

Dorsia Venue Mapping System

Interaction design

UI/UX

Branding

Illustration

Dorsia Venue Mapping System

Interaction design

UI/UX

Branding

Illustration

Dorsia Venue Mapping System

Interaction design

UI/UX

Branding

Illustration

Branding

Package Design

Branding

Package Design

Branding

Package Design

Branding

Package Design