OVERVIEW
Poffy Cafe is a playful cafe concept inspired by Japanese desserts and matcha culture. I designed the brand identity and menu with the goal of making the cafe feel approachable, modern and lighthearted, while highlighting its unique offerings like mochi donuts and flavoured matcha drinks.
Role: Designer
Duration: 3 weeks
Tools:
Photoshop
Illustrator
Figma
Skills:
Product Design, Branding, Typography, Layout Design
Challenge
Cafe menus can often feel cluttered and hard to read. The challenge was to design a menu and identity system that communicated Poffy’s whimsical personality, while keeping the layout clean, clear and functional for customers.
While researching Japanese cafe branding I noticed how mascots are often used to add charm and personality. I wanted Poffy Cafe to capture that same playful energy, so I designed a croissant cat character that reflects the brand’s warmth and friendliness.
Research & Concept
To create a cohesive brand, I developed a visual system:
Logotype & Brandmark: A bubbly word mark paired with the “Poffy” — a croissant cat mascot that reinforces the cozy/fun atmosphere.
Color Palette: Soft shades of green, yellow and ivory inspired by matcha and pastries, paired with a vibrant blue for energy and contrast.
Typography: Montserrat for clean readability and Fredoka for a rounded, approachable accent font.
Style Guide
I organized the menu into 3 clear sections (Signature, Classics, Baked Goods) to help customers scan quickly. Bold headers, right aligned pricing and consistent spacing make the layout functional, while playful accents and pastel colours keep it friendly.
Menu Design
The final menu and style guide strike a balance between playfulness and clarity, making the cafe feel approachable and memorable. This project taught me how brand identity and functional design work together to shape the customer experience. Looking ahead, I see opportunities to expand the system into packaging, signage and environmental graphics to fully bring Poffy Cafe’s personality to life.