District Larder Co.
year
2026
Client
District Larder Co.
timeline
Ongoing
The Challenges
Building a brand experience before the doors open
District Larder Co. is a new-concept delicatessen, restaurant, and curated marketplace in Washington, DC — a venture from a RAMMY award finalist combining house-cured charcuterie, artisan provisions, and a full dining experience under one roof. Working as a senior designer alongside District Maven, a DC-based hospitality marketing agency, the challenge was building a cohesive brand presence across both digital and physical touchpoints before the business even opened its doors.
The visual direction had to strike a specific balance: market sophistication meets DC neighborhood accessibility, with subtle Japanese-inspired details that reflect the owner's influences — all while appealing to an upper-millennial audience that values craft, quality, and intentional sourcing.
The Solutions
Physical and digital, designed as one system
Four distinct pattern concepts were developed — ranging from illustrative, paper-based motifs ideal for sandwich wrapping and packaging, to bold typographic systems and Japanese-inspired stamp patterns. Beyond the patterns, I designed a custom stamp range for use across paper bags, staff paper deli hats, and packaging, as well as vinyl stickers inspired by the owner's love for anime to hand out to customers. Each element was presented with real-world applications and scaling considerations so the client could see how the system would live across every touchpoint.
The Result
Coming soon
District Larder Co. is preparing to launch with a fully designed website, a scalable brand pattern system spanning packaging, staff uniforms, and storefront signage, and a set of physical brand moments — from custom stamps to anime-inspired stickers — that turn everyday touchpoints into brand experiences. This project represents the intersection of digital design, physical brand touchpoints, and hospitality strategy — designing not just how a brand looks online, but how it feels when you walk past the window, unwrap a sandwich, or pocket a sticker.
Full case study with performance metrics will be updated post-launch.
Coming Soon
