Brand evolution, collateral design for Liverpool’s acclaimed restaurant.

The Challenge

Born out of Duke Street Market, Barnacle quickly became one of Liverpool’s most talked-about dining experiences – a concept shaped by local ingredients, maritime heritage and the culinary creativity of Paul Askew and his team. From its origins as a vibrant market kitchen to a brief stint on the Royal Albert Dock, Barnacle had evolved organically. But with its growing following and ambition, the brand needed to catch up.

The challenge wasn’t about starting from scratch – it was about building on what already resonated. As Barnacle prepared to open in its most considered space to date, inside the historic Old Blind School on Hardman Street, it needed an identity that felt more established, more refined, and ready to live across every part of the experience. The task was to elevate the brand, rework its logo, and create a cohesive suite of assets that would reflect Barnacle’s story, and place within Liverpool’s ever-evolving food scene.

Barnacle Liverpool restaurant menu and print design

The Impact

The move into a larger, standalone location was a natural next chapter for Barnacle, but it also marked a turning point in how the brand was perceived. From the very first menu placed on the table to the illustrated drinks coaster under a guest’s Negroni, the new identity we helped shape brought a fresh layer of sophistication to every touchpoint.

What was once a successful market stall had grown into a destination – a restaurant with its own rhythm and presence, just a stone’s throw from its fine-dining sister, The Art School. The updated creative struck a balance between the familiar and the new: preserving Barnacle’s maritime character while enhancing its polish, clarity and visual storytelling. The result was a brand that now felt complete – still rooted in Liverpool, still championing local produce, but with a more confident and expressive identity.

The Collaboration

We worked closely with the Barnacle team to understand the journey so far and where the brand needed to go. Rather than a full rebrand, this was a creative evolution: refining the logo, introducing a more versatile identity system, and designing assets that would live naturally within the new space.

The approach was hands-on and collaborative. We explored illustration styles that nodded to Liverpool’s nautical heritage without slipping into cliché. We refreshed the logo for sharper legibility and cleaner application, especially important across menus and signage. We designed a full set of restaurant collateral – including menu layouts, bar menus, business cards, drink coasters, and exterior signage — each piece considered and consistent, drawing from a carefully curated palette of sea tones, soft neutrals, and warm brass accents that echoed the interior textures of exposed brick and aged timber.

Luxury restaurant branding for Barnacle Liverpool

The Solution

What emerged was a more confident, expressive visual identity. A refined wordmark led the brand, supported by a flexible system of illustrations and tactile design elements that brought warmth and depth to the overall experience. Menus were designed not only for clarity and function but to feel like part of the restaurant’s world — textural, visual and uniquely Barnacle. Drink coasters, bar menus and stationery followed suit, each reinforcing the aesthetic in subtle, playful ways.

Across every item — whether in a guest’s hand, on a table, or in the window — the brand had been carefully evolved to meet the moment, and to grow with it.