The Forge Kitchen
The Forge Kitchen is an experiential bar and restaurant based in Ipswich, inspired by the concept of mad scientists crafting potions in their lab.
Brand Development and Website
Reflecting this theme, the website was designed to feel fun and slightly chaotic, full of texture and dynamic elements. The illustrative approach nods to a gothic, darker undertone, giving the characters and visuals a sense of depth and personality.
Many of the textures were created physically using paper and pens - tearing, scrunching, and scanning them in, before adapting them in Adobe tools to complement the chaotic, tactile aesthetic. These textures were applied across a range of elements, adding richness and depth to the imagery while reinforcing the playful, immersive experience.
Illustration and Compositions
I particularly enjoyed developing concepts for the image layouts and illustration ideas, creating scamps and visual lock-ups for the team to share with the project illustrator and photographer.
This was a highly creative and enjoyable project to explore, with research rooted in historical Gothic artefacts and fictional characters, which helped shape the visual direction and overall atmosphere.
