Creative director. Designer. Storyteller. Nilla wafer enthusiast.
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Holy Mōlli

009 | Holy Mōlli Mexican Fusion | A non-traditional approach to Mexican food that uses authentic techniques and locally sourced fresh ingredients to create an addictive fast-casual experience.

 

Holy Molli
Mexican Fusion

CS 009
Art Direction. Nomenclature. Brand Identity System. Web Design. Illustration. Copy Writing.
Photography handled by Rony Rivera.

A non-traditional approach to Mexican food that uses authentic techniques and locally sourced fresh ingredients to create an addictive fast-casual experience.

View their social media presence here.


Logotype

Primary Icon

 

The nomenclature is a double entendre.

It represents the spiritual and culinary aspects of Aztec culture — from which the restaurant’s owners are descendent —as well as an expression of the exaggerated delight one feels when tasting their amazing food options for the first time.

Color palette & secondary icons

Graphic element —Icon neon signage

Graphic element —Icon neon signage

Graphic Element — Primary icon neon signage

Graphic Element — Primary icon neon signage

 

Infinite enthusiasm is a key aspect of the brand’s tone and voice. For the logotype that means bold, tall letterforms that signify exclamation.

The stylization of the logotype is inspired by neon signage in New York bodegas/restaurants and street graffiti.

The icon is inspired by Aztec historical depictions of Aztec gods and emojis. The default icon is an expression of shock and awe — the face one might make when they say, “HOLY MOLLI!”

Graphic element — Quetzalcoatl

Graphic element — Quetzalcoatl

Graphic Element — Holy Mōlli calendar pattern with tacos, sushi rolls, flowers and bones

Graphic Element — Holy Mōlli calendar pattern with tacos, sushi rolls, flowers and bones

Brand Collateral — Business Cards

Brand Collateral — Business Cards

Type palette & brand copy

Brand promise

Brand promise

 

The owners reminded me a lot of the family in Bob’s Burgers — dedicated, down-to-earth, irreverent, and confident. The initial spark for the brand identity came from this.

For the brand language, I played around with cheeky religious undertones — the idea of what it would be like if an Aztec couple had a food truck and the food was so delicious, people who ate it developed an almost cult-like devotion to it.

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