Designing a Vibrant Logo for Etnamuri: A Sicilian Café in Switzerland

The Challenge

Etnamuri, a Sicilian café opening in Switzerland, wanted a logo that could encapsulate their cultural roots while being immediately recognisable and appealing to a diverse audience. The design needed to reflect the traditional elements of Sicilian heritage, such as the iconic colours and symbols, while maintaining a modern touch suitable for a café in a new market.

My Approach

Drawing inspiration from Sicily’s vibrant culture, I designed a logo that embodies the energy and tradition of the island. The colour palette was based on Sicily’s rich red and yellow hues, reflecting passion and warmth. The central element of the design is a rounded shape, symbolising the wheel of a Sicilian cart, a well-known cultural icon. In the centre of the wheel sits a white “cassata” with a red cherry, a nod to one of Sicily’s most famous desserts, which fits perfectly into the circular form, giving the impression of the wheel’s hub.

For the typography, I chose a clean, sans-serif font for “Etnamuri” to offer a modern contrast to the traditional visual elements. The secondary text, “Sicilian Café,” is styled in a handwriting font, emphasising the craft and unique personality of the café.

Key elements of the logo design included:

• Traditional Sicilian Symbolism: The circular shape, inspired by the iconic Sicilian cart wheel, with the “cassata” and red cherry symbolically placed at its centre.
• Vibrant Colour Palette: Predominantly red and yellow, colours that evoke energy, vibrancy, and the warmth of Sicilian culture.
• Modern Typographic Choices: The combination of a sleek, sans-serif font for the café’s name, paired with a handwritten style for the tagline, adds a personal and handcrafted feel to the brand.
• Cultural Resonance: The logo serves as a clear representation of Sicilian tradition while appealing to a broad audience in Switzerland, offering a blend of familiarity and modern appeal.

The Result

The logo for Etnamuri perfectly encapsulates the café’s Sicilian heritage while offering a fresh, modern aesthetic that is highly recognisable. The combination of traditional symbols, vibrant colours, and modern typography creates a visual identity that resonates with both locals and tourists, helping the café establish its unique brand in Switzerland. The logo stands out in both digital and print formats, becoming an integral part of the café’s brand recognition.