Nef Nef Mandi & Grills
Restaurent
Branding, Identity Design
Trivandrum, Kerala
2024
Nef Nef Mandi & Grills is a Middle Eastern–inspired dining brand that blends authentic Arabic flavors with distinct Egyptian cultural influences. The project required the creation of a comprehensive brand identity—specifically a logo and menu system—that would authentically represent the region’s heritage while maintaining a bold, modern visual appeal. The client’s specific brief called for a design that integrated strong Arabic references, an Egyptian touch, and a camel motif to reflect the brand's desert culture and traditional culinary roots.
Summary
The final identity is a seamless fusion of tradition and contemporary design. The centerpiece is a uniquely crafted logo where the Arabic lettering of “Nef Nef” is artistically manipulated to form the silhouette of a camel. This approach transforms standard typography into an illustrative symbol, creating a memorable and culturally rich mark. The visual language extends into the menu identity, which utilizes warm desert tones, bold graphics, and Middle Eastern motifs to ensure a cohesive brand expression across dine-in materials, packaging, and digital platforms.
Challenge
Complex Visual Integration: The primary challenge was integrating three distinct elements—Arabic typography, Egyptian stylistic cues, and a camel silhouette—into a single logo without compromising clarity, balance, or legibility.
Modernity vs. Tradition: The design needed to feel fresh and modern for a contemporary restaurant market while remaining culturally respectful and true to traditional aesthetics.
Versatility: The logo had to be adaptable enough to work effectively across various mediums, from large outdoor signage and uniforms to detailed menu headers and social media icons.
Solutions
Typographic Illustration: The solution was an innovative logomark where the Arabic script for “Nef Nef” was stylized to form the physical structure of the camel’s body. This technique achieved both cultural accuracy and visual creativity, making the logo symbolic and functional simultaneously.
Themed Color Palette: A warm, earthy color palette paired with strong geometric elements was chosen to reinforce the Egyptian desert theme, grounding the brand in its cultural origins.
Unified Design System: The menu identity followed the logo’s lead, using bold section dividers, specific themed illustrations, and consistent typography. This created a unified visual narrative that delivers a distinctive and authentic dining experience.
