Overview
This project was created as a submission for the merchandise design contest hosted by Cleveland Kitchen. The goal of the contest was to develop original merchandise graphics that reflect the brand’s personality, mission, and focus on fresh fermentation.
Tools
Adobe Illustrator
Adobe Photoshop
Design Goal
The objective of this design was to visually communicate Cleveland Kitchen’s core brand message: “Fresh Fermentation Is Our Superpower.” The design needed to be bold, fun, and easily adaptable for merchandise such as apparel while maintaining strong readability and visual impact.
Design Concept
The concept centers around the idea that fermentation is not just a process but the brand’s defining strength. By highlighting the phrase “Fresh Fermentation Is Our Superpower”, the design reinforces Cleveland Kitchen’s commitment to fresh ingredients, natural fermentation, and bold flavor.
Graphic elements and typography were chosen to create a lively and energetic composition that reflects the brand’s modern food culture and its roots in Cleveland, Ohio.
Process
The design process began with researching the Cleveland Kitchen brand identity, including its tone, messaging, and existing visual language. Sketches and digital drafts were developed to explore different typographic arrangements and graphic elements that could translate effectively onto merchandise.
The final design was refined to ensure clarity, scalability, and print-ready quality for apparel production.
Outcome
The final submission presents a bold, merchandise-ready graphic that captures Cleveland Kitchen’s personality while reinforcing its key message about fermentation. The design was created to work across multiple merchandise formats, making it adaptable for T-shirts, hats, and promotional products.