Bistrot L’Atelier is a quaint bistrot nestled in a small village in the south of France. During my time abroad I created this identity system for the bistro based off of real interviews I had with Shannon Phillips, the remarkable woman who single-handedly runs this incredible restaurant. The branding had to stay true to the history of the ancient castle that the bistro inhabits, the visual history of authentic French bistros, and also had to be relevant to Shannon, who’s personality, exuberance, and passion for her work are the lifeblood of the whole dining experience at Bistrot L'Atelier.
This is Shannon. She is the only employee of this Bistrot. Her passion for food and for people is inspiring and the Bistrot is only what it is because of her dedication to everything she does. It was a joy to get to photograph her in her space.
The three letter monogram is something that I pitched to Shannon based on the concept of the building's legacy of bringing things together in unexpected ways. The bistrot has a timeless elegance, and is a somewhat modern interpretation of the classic French bistrot experience.
Bistrot L'Atelier is housed in an ancient castle in Saignon, France. It's a beautiful village full of history and a quiet, friendly community. The building itself was a workshop for hundreds of years, which is why the bistrot is named "L'Atelier," or "workshop." People who are passionate about their work have always been in this building and the same is true today. Exploring the village to take these pictures was a wonderful adventure that helped me better understand the people who might frequent this bistrot, which gave my designs a more meaningful direction.
Shannon doesn't believe in "secret ingredients," so I designed recipe cards for her to share her love of food with the world. These cards also feature photography of and around the bistrot to incorporate the poetry of the village. The menu is kept to a single page because simplicity is at the heart of French cooking. I illustrated herbs to incorporate into the visual system to continue the idea that good food is not about secrets, but about simple things done in the best way possible.
