Layers of identity

08 : 03 : 2016 Shuang Shuang : Ico Design : Xochi Solis

London – Design studio ico has developed the interior and visual identity for Shuang Shuang, a restaurant that brings a new take on the Chinese hotpot to the UK.  

  • Hotpots are a popular dish throughout East Asia, providing a creative and communal form of dining
  • The studio sought out contemporary artists with an interest in interpreting Chinese iconography as inspiration
Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London
Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London
Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London
Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London
Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London Shuang Shuang branding by ico, London

The London-based design agency took charge of all aspects of the brand from naming to menus and the website. 

The dining experience is defined by the layering of ingredients that customers choose from a conveyor belt to build their dish. In response, ico based its core visual concept on the playful arrangement of various tones, textures and images. The studio drew inspiration from the work of US artist Xochi Solis, whom it describes as combining ‘layers of visual ephemera to create contemporary collages that are rooted in Chinese culture’.

This approach enabled the studio to develop a look that feels culturally specific while avoiding the clichés of traditional Asian symbolism usually associated with such restaurants. 

The Big Picture:

Placing a traditional product out of context doesn’t mean you can resort to type. An increased incidence of transnationalism and the plasticising of identity mean that consumers are less tolerant of cultural clichés than ever. Read our New Bricolage Living macrotrend for more. 

Discover More Daily Signals
Sephora joins forces with Tabasco for heat-infused lip gloss debut

Daily Signals

Sephora joins forces with Tabasco for heat-infused lip gloss debut

Sephora Collection has teamed up with Tabasco to launch a limited-edition lip gloss range that brings the cult hot sauce label’s fiery identity int...
Beauty : Branding : Food
Stat: Textile recycling economy gathers pace

Daily Signals

Stat: Textile recycling economy gathers pace

The global clothing and textile recycling market is being cemented as a core pillar of fashion’s circular economy. Valued at £10.1bn ($13.6bn, ...
Sustainability : Fashion : Statistic
Norwegian Cruise Line revives 1990s tagline to re-energise the category

Daily Signals

Norwegian Cruise Line revives 1990s tagline to re-energise the category

Norwegian Cruise Line (NCL) is reviving its 1990s tagline ‘It’s Different Out Here’ as the centrepiece of a full brand reset.
Marketing : Branding : Travel
Fujifilm turns instant photography into a creative time tool

Daily Signals

Fujifilm turns instant photography into a creative time tool

Fujifilm has unveiled the instax mini Evo Cinema, a new hybrid instant camera set to launch on 30 January 2026.
Technology : Time Economy : Consumer Behaviour
Nvidia ACE drives adaptive storytelling with AI characters

Daily Signals

Nvidia ACE drives adaptive storytelling with AI characters

Nvidia is taking non-playable characters (NPCs) beyond predictable behaviour with Nvidia ACE, a platform that lets them respond naturally to player...
Gaming : Entertainment : Artificial Intelligence
Stat: India’s consumers lead spending and economic confidence across APAC

Daily Signals

Stat: India’s consumers lead spending and economic confidence across APAC

According to a new report from McKinsey & Co, while consumer sentiment across Asia-Pacific remains stable but selective, India is emerging as a...
Retail : Consumer Behaviour : Statistic
.Lumen wins CES 2026 accessibility award for AI-powered glasses for the blind

Daily Signals

.Lumen wins CES 2026 accessibility award for AI-powered glasses for the blind

European deep tech start-up .lumen has won the CTA Foundation Pitch Competition for Accessibility at CES 2026, receiving a £7,420 ($10,000,€8,550) ...
CES : Technology : Accessibility
The Luminaire turns curated luxury travel into a giftable object

Daily Signals

The Luminaire turns curated luxury travel into a giftable object

Luxury travel company The Luminaire has launched a new range of Experience Cards priced at up to £10,000 ($13,480, €11,530), offering a curated alt...
Travel : Luxury : Gifting
Stat: How cultural relevance is shaping Africa’s gaming market

Daily Signals

Stat: How cultural relevance is shaping Africa’s gaming market

More than half of African gamers say cultural relevance plays an important role in the games they choose, with a similar proportion wanting to see ...
Gaming : Technology : Statistic
Lego’s screen-free Smart Play tests boundaries of tech and imagination

Daily Signals

Lego’s screen-free Smart Play tests boundaries of tech and imagination

At CES 2026, Lego unveiled Smart Play, a connected system that transforms its physical bricks into responsive play experiences using light, sound a...
CES : Technology : Entertainment
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN