Paludan Bogcafé Rebrand
Paludan Bogcafé is a bookstore and café located in the heart of Copenhagen, Denmark. It opened its doors as a publishing house in
1895 and eventually was transformed into a book café in the late 1900s. The rebrand of this charming shop is a reflection of the vintage details seen in the decor and the overall feeling of coziness.
The crane was chosen due to its symbolism for peace, coexistence, and freedom. Cafés can give people the same freedom by allowing them to choose how they wish to spend their time. Whether they decide to grab a coffee and relax before work, read a book, or get together with friends; the decision is theirs. Cafés are spaces that allow people to coexist with one another as they go about their daily lives.
Inspiration for the look of the logo came from classic Ex Libris bookplates which are decorative designs that are used to indicate ownership of books. As I perused the different titles of books in the antique section of the café I noticed a few animal figures depicted on the spines of many antique books which I decided to reference in this design.
The exterior of the café is understated with simplified typography and overhead signage as well as window decals for passersby to see easily. I wanted the outside to feel sleek and clean so as to not overwhelm potential customers.
Book Design
A series of books was created to go along with the rebranding of this café. While the overall identity has a calming and cozy feel to it, the books have a life of their own that reflects the collection of art displayed throughout the establishment. The inspiration came from the architecture of the building as well as from different products and decorations seen in the café.
I wanted the books to have their own identity that could still be associated with the café so I created a new mark and design system. The mark for the book series comes from the tear-drop headpiece of the crane. I decided to use that symbol to create a circular mark that represents the cycle of time and life. The books themselves are about the human experience and what unites us as a species even when we are all on different paths.
The abstract rays or lines coming from the circle are an added graphic element that references the interior of the café. The color palette comes from a variety of book covers and decorations.
