Taikin: A Blend of Art and Culinary Delight

Oscar Bastidas' Award-Winning Design for Taikin Restaurant

Oscar Bastidas, a renowned designer, was commissioned to develop the visual identity for Taikin, a high-end Japanese and Asian cuisine restaurant. The name 'Taikin' translates to 'Fortune' in English, a concept intrinsically linked to the Tanuki, a Japanese mythological character symbolizing good fortune. Bastidas ingeniously incorporated this character into the restaurant's graphic narrative, creating a branding design rich in illustrations and details.

The designer's inspiration for the project stemmed from the Tanuki and its associated mythology. The restaurant's graphic story unfolds through various elements, from the menu and chopstick covers to the staff's uniforms and the bathroom walls adorned with graphics explaining the Tanuki's significance. This storytelling approach enhances the dining experience, making it not just about food but also about engaging with a different culture.

The design process involved extensive research, including online searches and visits to the Morikami Museum in Florida. Bastidas aimed to uncover lesser-known stories from Japanese mythology that hadn't been commercialized under the same context. He delved into the Yokai, mythological Japanese creatures with intriguing stories and significant cultural impact.

One of the challenges Bastidas faced was balancing the Tanuki's cartoonish characteristics with the restaurant's sophisticated ambiance. He overcame this by developing a clean graphic style with a reduced color palette and linear illustrations, successfully merging the Tanuki's stories with the restaurant's elegance.

Taikin's visual identity was realized using Adobe Creative Cloud. The restaurant, with a seating capacity of 75, launched in March 2017 in Miami, Florida. Bastidas' innovative design approach earned him the Silver A' Graphics, Illustration, and Visual Communication Design Award in 2018, a testament to his creative prowess and professional excellence.

In conclusion, Oscar Bastidas' design for Taikin is a perfect example of how art, design, and mythology can come together to create a unique and engaging dining experience. His innovative approach to branding and interior design has not only created a visually stunning space but also a narrative that immerses diners in the rich tapestry of Japanese culture.