The goal of this project was to create a dessert menu for an already existing menu to an out-of-business restaurant. Multiple real menus were brought into class, in which students could choose one of the restaurants to design for. I took interest in a pirate-themed restaurant called The Buccaneer. As it was pirate-themed, an alcoholic beverage menu seemed perfectly fitting for the restaurant. It was cleared among the professor that I could include both!
Process: Students began by photographing reference images of their chosen restaurant's menu, as we could not take the physical artifacts home. After imagery was collected, we read through the whole menu in order to get a feel for its atmosphere and tone. Research was performed for some, but nothing on the Internet was resulting for this particular restaurant, only others of the same name.
Next, sketches were made onto paper. Pre-established sizing was given, so students had to work within to create a successful and legible layout for the consumer. After physical sketching, those were moved into the digital space, using a combination of Adobe Illustrator and Photoshop in order to create the final image. Listed items on the menu are fully fabricated, but replicate the original voice of the restaurant's original menu. The typography replicates the original menu as closely as possible, as well.
Reflection: Along with another project from this class, this project helped me realize my love for designing consumables. I enjoyed creating something that was to fit in with a pre-existing theme!
