Overview
Solstice is a small-batch coffee roaster founded by two friends with a philosophy as carefully considered as their roast profiles: seasonal, relationship-driven, transparent. They came to me needing a brand identity that could hold that weight — something that felt warm but sophisticated, artisan but not precious.
The Brief
The founders wanted to avoid the clichés of third-wave coffee branding: no minimalist sans-serifs, no vintage-revival stamps. They wanted something that felt genuinely their own. Grounded, a bit poetic, built to last.
Process
I spent the first week just listening and researching — understanding the supply chain relationships they'd built, the sensory language they used to describe their coffees, the spaces where their product would live.
From there, I explored three distinct directions:
- Celestial — Leaning into the name, using astronomical motifs and serif typography
- Organic — Hand-drawn textures, earthy warmth, tactile feel
- Editorial — Clean, typographic-led, confident
The founders responded to the celestial direction but wanted it grounded — less "outer space," more "changing of seasons."
Final Identity
The final mark is a stylized sun/compass rose that doubles as a roast wheel — a quiet nod to the craft. The wordmark uses a custom-modified serif that balances old-world warmth with contemporary legibility.
Deliverables included:
- Primary and secondary logomarks
- Full color system (warm neutrals with a single accent)
- Typography pairing guidelines
- Packaging design for three SKUs (100g, 250g, 1kg)
- Brand guidelines document
- Digital asset kit
Result
Solstice launched their rebrand at a regional coffee festival and sold out their first seasonal release within 48 hours. The packaging has since been featured in two design publications.
Tools
Figma, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop