An intimate gem where cochon confit meets Godard blue

Kyrkogatan 13, a beloved restaurant group in Gothenburg, approached us ahead of the launch of their new venue: Imperiet. Located on the shared courtyard with their existing restaurants, Imperiet was envisioned as a modern take on the classic French tabac – a place where you could start your morning with a coffee, drop in for a deli-style lunch, stay for an aperitif, or end the night with charcuterie and natural wine. The brief was to create a distinctive visual identity that captured the continental spirit while feeling rooted in the rhythm of the local scene.

Approach

We set out to design a brand that balances the everyday and the cinematic. Drawing from French film and industrial nostalgia, we developed a visual language that felt both familiar and unexpected – raw, elegant, and full of character. At the heart of the identity is a custom typeface inspired by Jean-Luc Godard’s film titles, lending Imperiet a strong, signature voice. The design system was built to flex across signage, menus, posters and social media – all tied together with understated color choices and a touch of visual mischief.

Result

A brand that feels timeless yet contemporary, casual yet considered. Imperiet stands out in its neighborhood as a confident but unpretentious gathering place – shaped by espresso precision, baguette debates and blue tones that nod to Nouvelle Vague. The identity not only sets the tone for the space, but also contributes to the larger ecosystem of Kyrkogatan 13 – creating visual cohesion while giving Imperiet a voice of its own.