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
Rimowa turns luggage into a living archive

Daily Signals

Rimowa turns luggage into a living archive

Luxury luggage brand Rimowa has launched For a Lifetime of Lives, a new campaign developed with creative agency GUT that positions its aluminium su...
Travel : Fashion : Advertising
Ras Al Khaimah launches UAE’s first commercial astronaut training tourism experience

Daily Signals

Ras Al Khaimah launches UAE’s first commercial astronaut training tourism experience

Ras Al Khaimah is set to introduce the UAE’s first commercial astronaut training experience through a partnership between Action Flight Aviation an...
Travel : Space : Tourism
Stat: UK confidence gap emerges on personal finance and investment

Daily Signals

Stat: UK confidence gap emerges on personal finance and investment

Fewer than half of people in the UK describe themselves as confident investors, revealing a persistent confidence gap around personal finance and l...
Finance : Investment : Statistic
Café Bustelo turns coffee cans into game day tattoo kits

Daily Signals

Café Bustelo turns coffee cans into game day tattoo kits

Latin-inspired coffee brand Café Bustelo has launched Game Face, a limited-edition campaign celebrating sport, national pride and self-expression.
Fandom : Sport : Design
Miista and Lost Property highlight the rise of Modern Salons

Daily Signals

Miista and Lost Property highlight the rise of Modern Salons

In London, footwear brand Miista has partnered with lecture series Lost Property to host an evening of presentations exploring the theme of The Sil...
Fashion : Live Events : Society
Stat: Confidence in university degrees hits record low as value debate deepens

Daily Signals

Stat: Confidence in university degrees hits record low as value debate deepens

An inquiry into England’s student loan system begins on Tuesday (2 June) amid rising doubts over the value of university degrees, as a new British ...
Education : University : Value
Casetify and Tamagotchi bring the Kidult Craze to tech accessories

Daily Signals

Casetify and Tamagotchi bring the Kidult Craze to tech accessories

Casetify has partnered with Tamagotchi on a global accessories collection that repositions the nostalgic digital pet as both a collectible and a li...
Technology : Nostalgia : Kidult
Audible re-imagines retail as immersive audio discovery space

Daily Signals

Audible re-imagines retail as immersive audio discovery space

Audible has opened Audible Story House, a permanent public space in New York dedicated to audio storytelling.
Music : Sound : Audio Books
Stat: Americans report decline in everyday fun

Daily Signals

Stat: Americans report decline in everyday fun

Nearly half (48%) of Americans feel their lives lack fun, according to a new survey of 5,000 adults conducted by Talker Research and commissioned b...
Wellbeing : Fun : Statistic
Diesel and Tinder champion LGBTQIA+ visibility in Pride campaign

Daily Signals

Diesel and Tinder champion LGBTQIA+ visibility in Pride campaign

Fashion brand Diesel and dating app Tinder have partnered on For Successful Loving, a Pride 2026 campaign and capsule collection championing LGBTQI...
Fashion : Branding : Marketing
You have 2 free Daily Signals remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN