Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester
Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester
Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester
Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester
Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester Cha.ology by Alphabet, Manchester

Beyond words

11 : 08 : 2016 Tea House : Post-language Typography : Cha.ology

Manchester – Creative agency Alphabet has developed the branding and spatial design for Japanese tea house Cha.ology.

  • The visual identity references aspects of Japanese interior design
  • The branding is designed to break down language barriers

Cha.ology’s modular logo is inspired by the grid-like tatami flooring found in many traditional rooms in Japan. The word Cha.ology is split in half and placed inside different tatami blocks that can then appear in different combinations.

The menu and other aspects of the branding are also inspired by the intricate grids of tatami flooring. A series of simple, minimal icons describe the process of Japanese tea brewing to customers.

To communicate the tea house’s strict no-shoes policy, Alphabet created a series of illustrated signs that instruct English and Japanese-speaking customers to remove their shoes.

The Big Picture

In the age of Post-language Typography, brands are increasingly using symbols and illustrations rather than the words to communicate with consumers. Read our New Bricolage Living macrotrend to find out more about bilingual environments and new writing systems.

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