Cosmos Coffee Brand Identity

Designing a calm, intentional brand identity for a specialty coffee experience

Cosmos Coffee wordmark applied on a coffee cup.

Role

Brand Designer

Timeline

May – June 2023

Team

Mar Leaño Kel Yuki

Skills

Brand identity Visual design Typography

Overview

Cosmos Coffee is a specialty coffee shop in San Juan, Metro Manila, offering a holistic and intentional coffee experience. The brand approaches coffee as more than just a drink, but a moment of presence.

This project focused on translating that philosophy into a visual identity that feels calm and refined, while remaining distinct within a saturated café landscape.


The Challenge

How might we design a coffee brand that feels calm and intentional, while still standing out?

The goal was to balance restraint with recognizability, creating a system that feels quiet and minimal, yet memorable across physical touchpoints.


Collage of Cosmos' physical location.


Design Direction

The visual identity pairs minimalist design with moments of visual interest. Generous negative space and clean typography create a sense of calm, while strong contrasting colors introduce clarity and distinction.

This balance allows the brand to feel both refined and visually engaging without overwhelming the experience.


Collage of the Cosmos logo appearing in different shots of coffee cups.


Identity Details

The wordmark features a geometric sans serif typeface with a custom “o” that subtly resembles both Saturn and a coffee bean, grounding the brand in both its name and product.

This small detail ties into Cosmos’ larger narrative: thoughtfully crafted experiences, from the smallest element to the bigger picture.


Display of the Cosmos logo next to an icon of Saturn and a coffee bean to highlight the unique "o" detail.


Close-up of the Cosmos Coffee wordmark highlighting the custom “o” detail.


Visual System

The identity was designed to be flexible across applications, from packaging to in-store materials, while maintaining a consistent tone.

Key elements include:

  • Minimal typographic logo with refined spacing

  • High-contrast color pairings for visibility

  • Structured layouts that emphasize balance and clarity


Brand identity system showing typography, color contrast, and layout applications.

Brand identity system showing typography, color contrast, and layout applications.


Compilation of Instagram stories as a brand application of the design system.


Photos of the Cosmos logo on a coaster, coffee cup, and on a bag of beans.


Close up of a sign with the Cosmos logo on it.

Assorted brand applications including packaging, menu layouts, and signage.


Outcome & Reflection

This project reinforced how restraint and detail can work together, using minimal elements to create a brand that feels both calm and memorable.

It also strengthened my approach to building identity systems that carry a clear concept across multiple touchpoints.


Headshot of Martina Leaño smiling.

Mar Leaño

Brand and UX Designer

About

I’m Mar, a Manila-based brand and UX designer creating visual systems and digital experiences that combine strategic thinking with expressive design, grounded in research and built for real people.

marseventytwo@gmail.com

marseventytwo@gmail.com

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