Elk Collective
Elk Collective is a stylish cafe sitting humbly a--top of Mt. Chord --- a savy ski resort in the Adirondacks, NY. Accessed only by gondola, it celebrates the remarkable locale and works to protect the local mountain-wildlife while doing so. Elk Co. serves locally sourced, artisanal ingredients. The menu focuses on robust coffees, fondu and comfort-inspired foods with a gourmet twist (think fancy grilled cheese). It is a perfect blend of cozy, practical and great style: A modern escape for mountain goers to gather, rest and refuel on the slopes.
Brand Identity:
Unfussy, practical, cool and collected: Mountainous, with a twist of luxury and a candid sense of humor. We looked to vintage mountaineering and ski supplies to bring an authentic foundation to Elk Co.'s environmental mission. We built this out with a juxtaposition of more luxury materials in the branding concept for the cafe. The color palette drew from the atmospheric environment with a focus on utilitarian greens and khakis. Fonts and layouts were inspired by vintage ski passes and mountaineering handbooks.
Meet our mountain crew...
A playful interpretation of vintage ski imagery.
We created three fictional characters that act as friendly 'hosts' to Elk Collective. Derek, Larry and Herb. Their figures play-up vintage ski attire with heads borrowed from the Elk mascot. Hand illustrated, we used these characters to infuse a playful, sarcastic sense of humor. They appear on marketing assets, the website and large-scale murals throughout the interior design of the cafe.
Website Design
Elk Collectives' website allows customers to view the menu, order ahead, check weather conditions on the mountain and provides the viewer with meaningful information about their underlying mission: Protecting the surrounding Adirondack nature and wildlife.
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The website strengthens the cafe's mountainous identity and uses rich, atmospheric photography to entice prospective visitors.
