This project represents a redesign I did for the Fika cafe located within the American Swedish Institute in Minneapolis. It was a really fun project that let me explore some traditional Nordic textiles.

Fika Cafe

Restaurant menu with red and white design, featuring floral patterns. The menu includes small plates and sandwich options with items like Swedish meatballs, gravlax, and salmon. Displayed on a light wooden stand.
"Fika" logo with a floral design on a red background.

Background

The Fika Café at the ASI was in need of a refresh, as its existing brand lacked both personality and clear Nordic inspiration. While the dictionary definition of “Fika” refers to coffee, in Nordic culture, it represents much more—a tradition of taking a coffee break with friends and creating a sense of fellowship. My goal with this redesign was to capture that warm, inviting feeling.

For the secondary pattern, I drew inspiration from the intricate floral designs found in traditional Nordic table runners. Using shapes that echoed those in the pictorial mark, I created a repeating floral pattern that adds depth and character while complementing the logo’s clean simplicity.

"Fika" logo design with grid lines and stylized coffee cup motif.

The Details

"Fika" means "coffee" in Swedish, and the pictorial mark is designed to represent latte art. The fluid, simple shapes within the mark echo those used in the secondary runner pattern, creating a harmonious visual connection. A heart sits at the top of the logo—an element commonly found in Nordic textile patterns—enhancing the brand’s warm and inviting feel.

The word mark is based on a modified version of the typeface "Le Havre," chosen for its clean, geometric forms that reflect the simplicity of Nordic design. This structured type contrasts nicely with the more organic shapes of the latte icon. Additionally, the ligature between the "F" and "I" helps balance the composition, counteracting the visual weight of the latte icon resting on the "K" and "A." The result is a cohesive, refined logo that feels welcoming, sophisticated, and unmistakably Nordic.

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