STORYCAKE STUDIO

Project Focus

Crafting a warm, moody brand identity for Storycake Studio, a Santa Cruz-based bakery owned by artist Karlie Story.

Overview

Karlie, an incredible artist with a unique process, wanted her bakery’s brand to reflect her artistry. Inspired by her practice of sketching cake designs like couture gowns, I aimed to create a brand that was both artistic and approachable, using warm tones and minimal typography.

Challenge + Solution

The challenge was to capture the essence of Karlie’s creative process in a bakery brand while avoiding overly whimsical or typical bakery aesthetics. The solution was a sophisticated design that highlighted her artistry, featuring a fun logo created out of flour and warm, moody tones that set her apart from other bakeries.

Approach

Drawing inspiration from Karlie’s design sketches, I focused on creating a brand that felt like an extension of her artistic process. The minimal typography was paired with rich, warm colors to evoke a sense of elegance and creativity. The flour-based logo added a playful touch, balancing the sophisticated tones with a nod to the bakery’s hands-on craft.

Relationship

Working with Karlie was a true collaboration. Her vision and artistic process were infectious, and our shared appreciation for design made the process seamless. We connected over the artistry of her cakes and her desire to create a brand that felt as special as each of her custom designs.

Strategy

The strategy was to position Storycake Studio as not just a bakery but an artistic studio where cakes are treated as works of art. By emphasizing Karlie’s unique design process and using moody tones that evoke a sense of craftsmanship, the brand appeals to clients looking for something truly unique and personal in their cake designs.

Design System

The design system revolved around the warm, moody color palette and minimal typography Karlie envisioned. The overall aesthetic was cohesive, sophisticated, and approachable, capturing the essence of Storycake Studio as both a creative space and a bakery.