Aceria
About
Step into Aceria, a seasonally changing, New American restaurant with a focus on maple influence. Our crafted brand identity embraces rustic and minimal aesthetics, drawing inspiration from the seasonal hues of maple leaves. Aceria’s identity resonates with the commitment to a refined dining experience, mirroring nuanced flavors that grace its ever-evolving menu. Here, the seasons unfold on your plate, and each bite tells a story of nature’s bounty. Located in the heart of New York City, Aceria is a testament to celebrating the beauty of seasons. Here, you are invited on a gastronomic journey where the menu is a canvas, and each dish is a masterpiece inspired by the rich tapestry of nature.
What Sets Us Apart
We are not merely a restaurant, but a culinary sanctuary where the beauty of the seasons is woven into the very fabric of our brand. What sets us apart is our unwavering commitment to crafting a dining experience that transcends expectations. Our dishes are a harmonious blend of innovation and tradition, in reverence to the freshness and uniqueness each season brings. We believe in creating moments, memories, and a connection to nature with every carefully curated meal.
Seasonal Transition
Aceria undergoes a magical transformation with each change of the season. Our menu is not static; it’s a living entity that evolves to capture the essence of spring’s renewal, the warmth of summer, the richness of autumn, and the cozy comfort of winter. From vibrant salads to hearty soups, each season brings forth a new chapter in our culinary narrative. It’s an ever-evolving story that unfolds on your plate, a journey through the flavors of nature that keeps our guests coming back for more.
The Maple Leaf: A Symbol of Culinary Harmony
The maple leaf is more than a symbol; it’s a culinary emblem that encapsulates the essence of Aceria. Embracing the iconic maple leaf as our logo, we pay homage to New York’s state tree. Just as the maple tree transforms with each season, so does our menu. The intricate silhouette of the leaf signifies the delicate dance between innovation and tradition, a dance that is mirrored in our select dishes. From the sweet and savory notes of our maple-infused creations to the inspired use of this emblematic tree’s offerings, the maple leaf stands as a testament to the richness and diversity we strive to bring to your dining experience.
Stile Tile
The elements included in the style tile were chosen to capture the essence of sophistication and seasonal charm that define Aceria. The color palette, inspired by the evolving shades of maple leaves, creates a visual journey through the restaurant’s commitment to seasonal, high-quality cuisine. The pattern and logos were crafted to embody rustic simplicity, complementing Aceria’s refined identity. The fonts were selected for their delicate elegance, bold presence, and sophisticated simplicity. This style tile serves as a design compass, ensuring consistency and coherence across all brand materials, fostering a visual language that resonates with Aceria’s aesthetic.
Seasonal Menus: A Symphony of Flavors
At Aceria, our commitment to celebrating the beauty of the seasons is manifested through our meticulously curated seasonal menus. Each season ushers in a new culinary journey, featuring entirely new small dishes, salads, soups, entrees, and a dedicated dessert menu. The culinary evolution extends beyond the plate to the menu itself. On the backside, a mesmerizing pattern of our maple leaf logo takes center stage, gracefully adapting to the color palette of the current season. This whimsical touch not only adds a pop of fun but also reinforces our core concept of the ever-changing nature of our dining experience. The menus become a canvas that our guests explore, each visit promising a fresh symphony of flavors and a visual feast that captures the essence of the time of year.
Packaging
Aceria’s take-out bag is a visual representation of our commitment to embodying the seasons. The exclusive secondary logo on the front, adorned with our iconic maple leaf emblem and establishment years, reflects our pride in New American fine dining. The back, featuring the slogan “Taste of the Seasons” and gracefully falling maple leaves, extends the narrative of nature’s changing beauty. This design invites patrons to take a piece of Aceria’s seasonal charm home with them.
The maple leaf bourbon bottle is a bespoke creation that mirrors the craftsmanship behind Aceria’s culinary offerings. It stands as a symbol of our dedication to uniqueness and sophistication. Exclusively available for in-store purchase, this bottle houses our signature maple bourbon whiskey, a testament to the artistry of our mixology. The distinctive shape is inspired by the maple influence that defines Aceria’s identity, creating an aesthetically pleasing and memorable addition to our cocktail menu.
Aceria’s thoughtfully curated place setting captures the rustic elegance of our dining experience. The wooden place mat sets the stage for a warm and inviting atmosphere. The dinner plate, adorned with our leaf pattern, topped by the appetizer plater, featuring a delicate ink print, connects patrons to our culinary narrative. The choice of white gold utensils adds a touch of polish, while the canvas napkin, embraced by a maple leaf napkin ring, completes the tableau. This meticulous attention to detail ensures that every aspect of the dining experience at Aceria is an embodiment of our commitment to excellence and the celebration of nature’s seasonal bounty.
Collateral
The choice of a business card for Aceria holds strategic significance in its role as a tangible representation of our brand. Featuring a new iteration of our logo, adorned with a vibrant montage of maple leaves, the business card serves as a pocket-sized keepsake. Given out to patrons within the restaurant, this card not only encapsulates our identity but encourages patrons to take a piece of Aceria home with them, acting as a shareable token that extends the reach of our brand through word of mouth.
Our short wine glasses play a pivotal role in unifying Aceria’s brand elements. Displaying the responsive logo and the specialized design crafted for the business cards, these glasses become more than vessels for wine — they become ambassadors of our brand identity. The inclusion of our slogan, “taste the seasons,” on the glasses reinforces the narrative woven into our culinary experience. By ensuring consistency across various brand elements, the wine glasses contribute to a holistic and memorable representation of Aceria’s unique style, fostering a connection between our patrons and the essence of our restaurant.
Coasters, another integral part of our collateral, echo the purpose of the wine glasses but add an additional layer of functionality. Emblazoned with the responsive logo and the resonant slogan, they serve as portable reminders of the Aceria experience. Encouraging patrons to take home a piece of their time with us, these coasters become cherished souvenirs, further strengthening the emotional connection between Aceria and our guests. By providing tangible, aesthetically pleasing items like coasters, we enhance the overall dining experience and create lasting memories that extend beyond the walls of our restaurant.
Advertising
Our choice to leverage Instagram as a primary advertising platform for Aceria stems from its dynamic capabilities to engage with our audience visually. Through Instagram, we showcase a vibrant array of events, specials, and exclusive deals hosted at our restaurant, creating a virtual window into the Aceria experience. This platform also allows us to seamlessly communicate the evolving seasons, capturing the transformation within our restaurant’s ambiance and menu. Instagram serves as an appetizing canvas for our culinary creations, presenting a diverse array of menu items ranging from delectable appetizers to mouth-watering entrees and tempting desserts, along with a showcase of our carefully curated drink selections. With each post, we not only entice followers with visual delights but also foster a sense of anticipation, inviting them to explore the ever-changing, immersive world of Aceria.
Elegance Unveiled: Aceria’s Online Presence
Aceria has entered the online realm; designed to provide a virtual glimpse into the heart of our culinary sanctuary. The website gracefully opens with a warm “Welcome” section, inviting visitors into the exquisite ambiance of our interior. A curated showcase of our delectable dishes and enticing drink options unfolds, promising a sensorial journey. Seamlessly navigated, the site offers quick links to our diverse menus, operating hours, and exclusive specials. Guests can effortlessly reserve a table, explore upcoming events, or join our mailing list to receive weekly updates. Amidst this culinary symphony, discover the insightful words of an acclaimed Philadelphia food critic, adding an extra layer of prestige to the Aceria experience. Find our location, contact details, and social media connections — every detail carefully crafted to ensure an immersive and accessible online encounter with Aceria’s culinary artistry.
Click the link above to see this one-page website in action!
Immersive Ambiance: Where Nature Meets Elegance
Step into Aceria, where every stylistic choice is a deliberate invitation into a world where nature meets elegance. The centerpiece of our dining space is a majestic fake maple tree, standing tall and proud, mirroring New York’s state tree. Draped in soft, ambient lighting, the mood is set for an immersive dining experience. The warm interior complements the natural hues, creating an atmosphere that is both cozy and sophisticated. The choice of red sofas adds a touch of opulence, creating pockets of comfort for our guests to sink into, while the orange chairs inject a playful vibrancy into the space. This carefully curated blend of elements transforms Aceria into a haven, where the beauty of the seasons is not just on the plate but woven into the very fabric of our surroundings.
Conclusion
In concluding our exploration of Aceria, a concept melding seasonal gastronomy and thoughtful branding, the crafting of its visual identity has been a delightful endeavor. From the exclusive logo on take-out bags to coasters and wine glasses, each element epitomizes Aceria's commitment to refined dining mirroring the nuanced flavors of an ever-evolving menu.
Envisioning Aceria as a tangible space, I see patrons not only savoring exquisite dishes but immersing themselves in an environment evolving with the seasons. Instagram, our chosen advertising platform, acts as the virtual portal to this envisioned world, offering glimpses of culinary wonders and atmospheric transformations.
Credit goes to the talented contributors and my instructor, Katey Stafford, who guided this project, fostering a collaborative fusion of culinary artistry and visual storytelling. I would also like to credit Adobe Stock, Unsplash, and the website interiordesign.net for all images used. As we conclude, I offer a tantalizing image, a glimpse into the Aceria experience, inviting you to savor the conceptual blend of flavors, seasons, and aesthetics.
Designer: Gwen Wiener
Instructor: Katey Stafford, Tyler School of Art and Architecture, Temple University.
Stock Photography sourced from Adobe Stock, Unsplash, and Google Creative Commons (credit specific individual)
