Brand Identity

Client: Coal & Bowl

Coal & Bowl is a startup built around a simple idea: healthy, balanced ready meals that are both convenient and genuinely good to eat. Food plays a big role in the founders’ lives, with a shared love of cooking over fire, not just for summer BBQs, but all year round.

Following a deep discovery phase, getting to know the founders, the product, and the thinking behind it, we set out to create a brand they could fully own. Something distinctive, memorable, and rooted in their story.

The logo became a key part of that. The irregular “o” in coal takes cues from the shape of a piece of coal, while the ampersand anchors the partnership between the founders. In bowl, the “o” forms a subtle bowl shape with a soft curve that also reads as a smile, hinting at enjoyment.

Beyond the logo, we built a full brand system designed to work across print, social, web, and packaging. Illustration plays a big role, bringing character to the brand and offering a flexible way to show ingredients and dishes without relying on photography, which can often feel limiting or impractical.

The result is a brand that feels warm, grounded, and full of personality. One that reflects the founders’ approach to food and gives Coal & Bowl a strong, recognisable presence from day one.