Maniac Studio’s delightful identity for Nud captures the simple joy of bread and coffee combined

Mexican branding agency Maniac Studio have partnered with local speciality coffee house and sourdough bakery Nud to craft an identity that embodies the spirit of their relaxed environment and slow-living sentiment. Delightful, timeless and playful, the resulting brand captures the simple joy of bread and coffee combined, as well as the emotional ‘nudity’ behind the happiness one finds in their first sip or first bite.

Continuing their exploration of human sensations, Maniac Studio found a balance of neutrality, simplicity and character; opting for a monochromatic palette. “Black and white are inherently neutral and timeless colours and perfectly comply with our intentions for the brand,” they tell us, also noting the convenience and cost-effective nature of the decision. “At first, we considered using nude colours because it made a lot of sense with the name, the illustrations and the concept,” they suggest, “but we preferred not to be too obvious and avoid the cliché.” These subdued hues are then paired with a striking choice of typefaces, with the studio opting for Aperçu Condensed and Ballpoint Script as the primary typefaces, alongside the use of Office Times Round for the wordmark.

“Aperçu Condensed was the perfect complement to maintain that neutral environment without compromising the aesthetics and the brand’s personality,” Maniac Studio remark, bolstering Nud’s lively energy through the juxtaposition of Ballpoint Script’s letterforms. “It was selected to create a sharp contrast with the grid structure of the typesetting,” they explain, “while we wanted the identity to feel neutral and simple, it was important to have a smooth element that brings a sense of ease and breaks the monotony.”

Harmonising the identity’s exploration of contrast and simplicity is the charismatic introduction of Nud’s signature character series; with each of the iconic figures representing a different sensation. Slightly peculiar and endlessly charming, the illustrations perfectly capture the sincerity and silliness of the brand, firmly cementing the identity in avoidance of tropes associated with the speciality coffee scene.

Maniac Studio