molto bene food & drinks
A spatial design and brand identity for a historic Istanbul restaurant, so cinematically resonant it became a sought after set for film and music videos.
Client: YDB Gida
Category: Brand Identity, Interior Design
"Working with Yagmur was transformative for our business. She didn't just design a restaurant, she built a world. By handling everything from the initial architectural layout to the nuances of our logo and brand identity, Yagmur ensured a level of cohesion we didn't think was possible. Every corner of the interior speaks the same language as our brand, creating an immersive atmosphere that our guests comment on the moment they walk through the door. It is rare to find a designer who can balance structural rigour with such creative, high-level branding."
Pınar Baloş, YDB Gıda Shareholder, Molto Bene Managing Partner
An architectural design and brand identity for a historic Istanbul space, so cinematically resonant it became a sought after set for film and music videos.
I provided a 360-degree design solution, beginning with the interior design to optimise the flow and atmosphere of the space. This was paired with a bespoke logo and visual identity that informed the menu design and tactile brand touch points. I worked respectful to the historical importance of the building and incorporated elements like the original stone-brick walls into the design unlike other examples in the neighbourhood.
The resulting aesthetic struck a unique balance between contemporary elegance and cinematic charm. The design was so well-received that the restaurant became a sought after location for the creative arts, featured as a primary set in several feature films and serving as the backdrop for multiple professional music videos.
The Multi-Layered Identity
A restaurant brand is more than a logo; it is a tactile experience that begins at the entrance and continues through every touchpoint. For Molto Bene, I developed a comprehensive visual system designed to scale across diverse applications:
The Editorial Layer: Designed a bespoke menu system that balances functional legibility with the restaurant's sophisticated aesthetic.
The Tactile Layer: Created custom stickers and packaging elements for a cohesive "take-away" experience, ensuring the brand identity remains consistent outside the physical space.
The Operational Layer: Developed a high-contrast, black-and-white version of the logo specifically for administrative use. This ensures brand integrity is maintained in formal contracts, letterheads, and monochromatic prints without losing the character of the original design.
What does the client want?
To create a cohesive, immersive dining experience in the heart of the historic Galata district. The challenge was to harmonise the restaurant’s visual identity with its physical environment, ensuring the brand felt like a natural extension of the architecture and the neighbourhood's vibrant energy.
Design Process
Transforming complex constraints into cohesive design solutions.
What would working with me look like? From my academic background I learned to not only design a product but also the process that leads to the product. Bridging conceptual depth with functional clarity through a disciplined, I propose a four-step design lifecycle.
(01)
Architectural Dialogue with Galata
The design process for Molto Bene was deeply rooted in its geographic soul. Located in the shadow of the Galata Tower, the project required a sensitive approach that respected the historic fabric of one of Istanbul’s most iconic districts.
(02)
Historical Referencing
Rather than mimicking the past, the design takes subtle cues from the Genoese and Ottoman layers of the neighbourhood. The interior’s geometry and the brand’s visual rhythm reference the verticality and stone textures of the nearby tower, creating a dialogue between the "Old World" surroundings and a modern dining experience.
(03)
Materiality and Atmosphere
The transition from architectural interior to graphic identity was seamless. I drew inspiration from the local vernacular to ensure that Molto Bene felt like a natural extension of Galata’s history rather than an imposition upon it. This contextual reference is precisely what gives the space its cinematic quality, allowing it to serve as both a functional restaurant and a compelling backdrop for visual storytelling.