Speakeasy: The ‘Here and Now’ of Hospitality Branding with Aquí.
©Aquí Founder & Creative Director, María Trujillo
Aquí is an ethically-driven design studio headquartered in Singapore. From creating brand identities to user experience, Founder & Creative Director María Trujillo and her team develop meaningful designs that tell stories and solve problems. Specialised in the disciplines of Branding, Communications and UI/UX, the studio has built a portfolio across varied industries including Lifestyle, Hospitality and Interior Design. Speaking to Maria about Aquí Design, we take a closer look at some of their spirited F&B projects…all well-worth a pause for a good cup of coffee.
©Aquí Design.
Hello María. Can you tell us about your background and what led you to specialise in branding design?
Although I was born in Mexico, most of my formative years were spent in Singapore, where I developed a deep appreciation for graphic design and branding. It all started when I was just 13 years old, sitting in one of my favourite coffee shops in Mexico City called Eno. I was struck by the atmosphere and branding of the cafe, which influenced me to stay longer and inspired my love for design. As I got older, I pursued my passion for design and studied Graphic Design at Leeds University. It was during my time there that my passion for branding design was truly ignited, taking my love for the field to a whole new level.
What was the idea behind the name Aquí and how does it relate to your approach?
The name Aquí emerged from my constant practice and commitment to mindfulness and being present. In Spanish, the word Aquí means "here and now," and our objective is to infuse this same spirit of presence into each of our projects with clients, creating a sense of tranquility and clarity through our design approach.
You have worked with various F&B clients. Can you tell us more about your scope of work and process across hospitality branding projects?
Absolutely! I've thoroughly enjoyed collaborating with all of our F&B clients. In Singapore, we've had the privilege of working on a number of exciting Unlisted Collection ventures, including new restaurants like Pollen, Basque Kitchen by Aitor, and Fennel Café, for which we provided comprehensive branding, menu design and website design services in order to create a brand in unison.
©Aquí Design.
Can you tell us more about your most memorable projects?
Our most recent collaboration was with Cata Coffee, a company founded by the dynamic duo of Marian and Han, whom we had the pleasure of partnering with to develop their brand, collateral, and website. We highly recommend trying out their delectable coffee!
©Aquí Design.
Outside of work, what inspires you?
When I'm not working, I find daily inspiration in staying active, trying out new recipes in the kitchen, and perfecting my homemade matcha latte. In the realm of design, I'm constantly drawn to the works of Luis Barragan, whose masterful use of color has a profound influence on my own approach to integrating color into our day-to-day projects.
More about Aquí: www.aquidesign.com