Bolle is a new bakery tucked away in an old shopping mall in eastern Helsinki, Finland. Billed as a place to relax and enjoy bread and coffee, the bakery has become a local favorite, with long lines out the door from day one. Brand designer Chris Bolton had a hand in that.
Bolton is a graphic designer and art director who previously worked on the branding of the Finnish retail space Måll. He starts by explaining why he chose the name 'Bolle' for this project. He says the original plan was "Bulle," which means "bun" in Finnish, but a bakery of the same name already existed, so they changed one spelling and utilized the word for "ball" in Swedish, Finland's second official language. "The Swedish name honors Finland's linguistic heritage, but it's also sophisticated," Bolton explains.
The logo design is reminiscent of the texture of the dough, which is round and fluffy. "The letters in the logo are all imperfect curves," says Bolton, "and the 'B' and 'e' have details that are inspired by the twist of a cinnamon bun or cardamom bun. The letters can be stretched and shortened to suit the situation, giving them the flexibility to respond to different shapes and formats. This is similar to how the dough can morph into different shapes on the pan.
The color palette consists of a simple combination of black and white. This creates a clean and fresh impression while allowing the colors and textures of the food to stand out. The brand's visual language is consistent across the various elements used in-store, including mugs, bread bags, and eco-bags, without masking the flavors of the food. The design of the cups is particularly noteworthy as an example of how practicality and design come together, as the cups are separated by size to allow employees to make quick selections during busy morning hours.
