Hungarian designer and visual artist Kissmilkos was commissioned to create a sophisticated bohemian brand and atmosphere for Trafiq, one of the newest bars in downtown Budapest. The goal was to revive the vibe of the late 19th to early 20th century, while reinterpreting a vintage style mixed with a modern atmosphere. To accomplish this, Kissmilkos created everything from the branding, to interior graphics, to the restaurant’s packaging. A “trafik” was a type of tiny shop selling tobacco, sweets, newspapers, toys, and other knickknacks, and was a real treasure island for children. I’ve purposely created an image that conveys this specific atmosphere. The typography resembles of newspaper fonts, french playing cards – the essential accessories of early 20th century clubs and the typical souvenirs of a “trafik”.
The Logo: “The logo is based on a roman-type font, and is mixed with a playful, classic ligature. The logotype contains the address of the venue. This provides an easier form of communication and unifies the typographic language, moreover ,it determines its style. Nevertheless, the typographic language tends to reach beyond the boundaries of a logo and of various graphic elements, and becomes the concept itself, the interior’s distinguishable cornerstone.”
The Restrooms: “Simplistic restroom graffiti collected from anglo-saxon countries, and separated by genders. Their content was not altered, although they are presented in an elegant, footed, and classical antiqua that conjures an intense paradox and basically gives life to an artistic concept; moreover, it gives an iconic edge to its location.”
The Posters: “Humorous, framed texts referring to sexuality, night-time entertainment, and getting tipsy, all interpreted in the language of contemporary typography. These texts, at least to an extent, resemble both the philosophy of late 19th – early 20th century artists and the atmosphere of bohemian saloons independent from high-nosed institutions.”
The Packaging: “The concept of the packaging is based on the formerly described world of “trafiks”, and puts simple, playful ideas into practice – such as hard-pack cigarette boxes and matchboxes. Regardless, it’s still remaining elegant, and follows the visual path carved by trafiq’s image. (via The Dieline)
