Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design.

Monarch Restaurant is the newest venture by Michelin-starred Chicago chef Danny Grant, known for his exquisite food at Maple & Ash. Located on the 49th floor of The National, a gracefully redeveloped 1960s-era building in Dallas, it has sweeping views of the skyline. Naming the restaurant Monarch is both a nod to regality and the Monarch butterfly, a symbol of Dallas.

Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage

One Eighteen is the feature restaurant at the H Hotel in Midland, Michigan. Home to DOW Chemicals, Midland MI also a mecca for mid-century modern design. Naming the restaurant 118 is a clever nod to the periodic table, which includes 118 elements.

Architecture + Interiors : fc studio inc.

Photography : fc studio inc.

Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Signage Design.

Judson & Moore is a family owned distillery located in Chicago, founded by a father and his son-in-law. Using timeless techniques and local expertise, J&M carefully and thoughtfully creates the finest American Whiskies. J&M embodies the proven heartland principles of commitment, hard work, and authenticity.

Agency of Record. Creative Direction. Brand Strategy. Advertising. Signage. Curation.

As the Agency of Record, we are involved in Ad Campaigns, Partnership Brands, and Event Marketing.

Over the past few years, 900 North Michigan Avenue has undergone a massive renovation effort. We were brought in at the inception to help refresh the brand, create a cohesive look and feel, and identify creative partners. We have worked closely with AvroKo, who was responsible for the gorgeous interiors, and LVTHN who continually curates the amazing videos on the ceiling.

Photography : Tru Studio

Agency of Record. Creative Direction. Brand Strategy. Advertising. Signage. Curation.

As the Agency of Record, we are involved in Ad Campaigns, Partnership Brands, and Event Marketing.

‘Modern Day Mastery’ and ‘An Eye for Details’ Ad Campaigns focus on the artists, makers, and curators that make 900 North Michigan a destination.

Photography : Erika Dufour

Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage

Mordecai Whiskey + Grill, located inside Hotel Zachary, in the heart of Wrigleyville, was just named Chicago’s Best Bar of the Year by Eater. A beacon for spirit aficionados, Mordecai is a destination for both discerning drinkers and casual cocktail fans. Mordecai embodies the personality of the man behind the name, one of baseball’s all time greats. Mordecai Brown brought the Cubs to the World Series in 1907 and 1908.

Architecture + Interiors : fc studio inc.

Photography : Tru Studio, Matthias Merges, Craig Dugan

Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage

Hush Money is a cocktail bar located above Mordecai Whiskey + Grill across from Wrigley Field. The name Hush Money came from the story of Mordecai Brown. On the eve of the 1908 world series final game, Mordecai clutched a half-dozen notes inside his coat pocket. The message of each was clear: we’ll kill you if you pitch and beat the Giants. A black handprint marked each note, the signature of the Black Hand Mob. Mordecai Brown was the dominant pitcher for the great Chicago Cubs team of the early twentieth century. How Brown responded to the Mafia’s threats in 1908 mirrored the way he took life in general: with unflappable courage and resolve. Mordecai Brown was indeed one of baseball’s greatest pitchers.

Architecture + Interiors : fc studio inc.

Photography : erika dufour

Brand Development. Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage

Naming the restaurant GAIJIN, which means foreigner in Japanese, is a bit tongue and cheek. As a self described Gaijin, the chef/owner Paul Virant honors the traditional techniques of Japanese comfort foods, such as Okonomiyaki (savory pancake) and Kakigori (shaved ice dessert).

Architecture + Interiors : fc studio inc.

Photography : Erika Dufour

Puzzle Designs. Brand Development . Creative Direction. Logo. Website.

Modern design meets the traditional jigsaw puzzle. Wink puzzles is a division Wink Design. We applied decades of design experience to our favorite pastime to create cool puzzles that both satisfy avid puzzlers and win over newbies. Each design is carefully considered to deliver a stimulating challenge - the sweet spot between annoyingly easy and furiously frustrating. We believe jigsaw puzzles can keep your mind fresh, ease stress, and should always be beautifully designed!

Brand Development. Creative Direction. Logo. Packaging

The Hudson Standard creates quality, hand-made shrubs and bitters for a healthier lifestyle. Rooted in American tradition, their drinking vinegars and bitters express the bright flavors of the Hudson Valley.

Photography : Erika Dufour

Brand Development. Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage

Ike & Oak is a brew pub in the suburbs of Chicago. It’s named after Ike, the bear and brand mascot. And, as one would expect, the beer is brewed in Oak barrels. Ike & Oak reinterprets the reclaimed materials and grit of brew pubs with a fresh modern approach, providing a welcoming space for all ages to enjoy.

Architecture + Interiors : fc studio inc.

Photography : Erika Dufour and Katrina Wittkamp

Brand Development. Creative Direction. Logo. Signage

Chefs Graham Elliott and Matthais Merges teamed up to open Gideon Sweet, a restaurant in the heart of the West Loop on Randolph Street in Chicago. Named after an heirloom apple, Gideon Sweet offers globally inspired small plates, Naschen style. Naschen means “to nibble” in German and that’s part of the fun at Gideon Sweet with pecial dishes and drinks passed around the room.

Photography : Tru Studio

Creative Direction. Packaging Design

Billy Sunday, named for the outspoken and wildly popular Prohibition-era evangelist, is an upscale cocktails and gourmet gastropub bar in the Logan Square neighborhood of Chicago.  Matthias Merges, the well-known chef behind Billy Sunday teamed up with the Chicago Cubs to develop several bars and restaurants in the new Wrigley Field campus. As part of this development, cocktails in a can were introduced at Wrigley Field. The irony in serving Billy Sunday branded cocktails is that Billy Sunday, prior to becoming a preacher, was a ball player for the Chicago White Sox in the last 1800s. 

Photography : Tru Studio, Matthias Merges

Creative Direction. Photo Editing. Book Design

Award winning photographer, Tim Hawley, happened upon these hand made guitars and discovered a treasure trove of over 300 instruments, along with the man who created him and his remarkable story. 

Creative Direction. Photo Editing. Logo. Book Design

Internationally-acclaimed aerial photographer Vincent Laforet created mesmerizing, never before possible, high-altitude nighttime aerial photographs over many of the world's most iconic cities following a cover assignment for Men's Journal magazine. The book consists of 228 pages from Laforet's aerial adventures.

Brand Extension. Creative Direction. Photo Art Direction. Packaging

Linneas Lights is a line of Linnea’s Lights is a family-owned, luxury brand of fine home fragrances built upon a foundation of quality craftsmanship, eco-friendly materials and an entrepreneurial spirit. 

Photography : Bob Coscarelli and Erika Dufour

Creative Direction. Brand Development. Design

Apartment Therapy’s mission is to help people make their homes more beautiful, organized and healthy. www.apartmenttherapy.com is one of the most visited sites for all things home decorating and cooking related. The identity was created to honor the cleanliness and simplicity that is their mantra. The pill shaped business card is a nod to their witty sense of humor and the concept of therapy for your apartment.

Brand Development. Creative Direction. Logo. Print Design. Signage Design

A10, an international bistro, was created by chef Matthias Merges and his wife, architect Rachel Crowl. It is named for Italian autobahn which connects Genoa to Ventimiglia. Located in Hyde Park, home of the University of Chicago, A10 bridges the boundaries of north side and south side Chicago. The architecture and branding are inspired by the design of the early 20th century‚ a time of innovation and exploration, while the logo takes it’s cues from Italian motorway signage.

Creative Direction. Brand Development. Print Design . Signage 

Sojourn is a lifestyle and furnishing store owned by Stacia Garriott Kass. It is located in Sawyer, Michigan, a lovely beach community near Chicago. Stacia curates her store with found and collected items, celebrating natural materials. The identity and signage was designed to honor those materials by using a blind letterpress on simple uncoated book board, a material usually used in the guts of hardbound books. The color palette is reflective of the store’s materials and the nearby beach.

Creative Direction. Brand Development. Logo. Print Design. Signage

Located on the shores on Lake Michigan, Bread + Bar is the newest venture by award-winning baker, Tim Foley. The architect, Julie Fisher, dreamed up a modern take on a rustic concept which reflects the ‘made from scratch’ nature of the brand. The handmade quality continues thru the brand with the use of rubber stamping and natural materials.

Creative Direction. Brand Development. Logo. Print Design

Architecture and Signage by fcstudio

Creative Direction. Art Direction. Illustration. Design.

A sensory experience for foodies and cheese + chocolate addicts, this collection comes in an etched bamboo box and includes a collection of cheeses and chocolates to pair. The 40 page guide book was designed with the idea of pairings in mind – pairings of a variety of typefaces, different paper stocks, and printing techniques – all combined in a compelling yet organized manner. Conceived and created for Vosges Haut-Chocolat.

Photography : Erika Dufour

The heart and soul of Westtown Bakery is in it’s people. From the bakers and barristas to the regulars, they are all part of the Westtown family. Westtown has earned a place in the fabric of the neighborhood, an area of diverse artistic culture. the area is known for its’ graffiti art, which serves as a backdrop to the bakery, differentiating it from other bakeries. Extending this to street art makes the brand more accessible, while maintaining the original local character - a core belief of the company.

Creative Direction. Packaging.

Sole Agent travels far and wide for their collection of unique liquors. They have recently started to release limited editions under their own private label, bottled in Chicago. The most recent release includes 12 bottles of Domaine de l’Acajou Agricole Rhum from 1895. Each bottle is sealed in wax and hand-stamped with the Sole Agent insignia with letterpress labels from Rohner Letterpress.

Creative Direction. Print Design.

‘Seeing With New Eyes’ is a program developed by Howard Ecker Real Estate. They take a wholistic approach to help companies find and create office spaces that works in sync with their vision and brand. The minimal and elegant folio includes a letterpress information card edged in red. The enclosed pad of paper has white lines printed on a grey background, making drawings easier to read. It is all held together by a red band in the Howard Ecker signature red.

Creative Direction. Director : Design Department. Brand Development. Photo Art Direction. Print Design. Store Design. Packaging. Signage

What makes a brand so special and unique? I believe it’s the personality and depth - the story, not just what they produce. Sometimes it’s a dream or a lifestyle or a cause. It’s their belief system, their values. In the case of Vosges, it’s the story of inspiration behind each product. It’s also the concept of yin/yang, the complimentary aspect of opposites, that when put together make each element stand out stronger. Salty and sweet. Regal and spiritual. Organic and luxurious. Renegade and feminine.