Embla is a low-key wine bar based in Melbourne’s inner city. The client was after a down-to-earth brand identity to match their wine selection and desired mood, so we created a hand-drawn typeface based on neighbouring hand painted vintage signage to reference it’s contextual surrounds. Embla won the coveted ‘Wine Bar of the Year’ award in 2017.

The textured paper collage with deep green hand-stained timber signage combines together to create an organic and handmade feeling, much like the bar itself.

Interior design elements included a hanging menu frame, with a unique tilting action, created in collaboration with framer United Measures. Printed collateral was kept simple, with key messages written with a conversational tone, in keeping with the relaxed vibe of the bar.

Embla shares a number of letterpress coasters with its sister restaurant upstairs, Lesa, featuring illustrations by Michel Tolmer and Andy Murray.

Embla's digital presence was deliberately pared back and kept consistent with textures applied throughout other collateral.

We commissioned a gorgeous set of illustrations by Melbourne artist Carla McCrae in her signature style, for an (even more) extended Embla wine list. Wine variety origins, idyllic pastoral scenes, anthropomorphic grape men and snobby waiters have all come to the table for our oversized risographed menu.