![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/e57f52a7-5395-429f-b615-de5c52dbf81d_rw_3840.jpg?h=dcfd69029090fb3e1b83ed9081e90ba5)
Il Bandolero Cucina
I created this spaghetti western-inspired vegan Italian restaurant with playful illustrations, insider movie puns, spatial mural design, and an elegant menu layout because it is a place I wish existed. In my 20s & 30s when I was working as a bartender and server, I had hoped to open a vegan restaurant someday. My dreams changed but this project was a fun exploration of what might have been.
This self-directed project was part of my Sophomore Portfolio when applying to Portland State University fresh out of the Portland Community College graphic design program.
Environmental & Packaging Design
Shown below are mock-ups of this quirky brand identity applied spatially as a wall mural in a restaurant space, on matchboxes, pizza boxes, and drink coasters.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/10516f4c-487a-46f8-b7b2-473c64ea0c0e_rw_1920.jpg?h=120dceab866b89c9d27d61d3770b3944)
What I did
• Concept
• Copywriting
• Competitive Analysis
• Branding & Identity Design
• Illustration
• Layout
• Prototyping
Tools
• Illustrator
• Photoshop
• InDesign
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/4b122896-8b1d-4607-aca0-eda9c59445e1_rw_1920.jpg?h=f8a836c46e7469ced033f5464afc38b6)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/43d3c3a2-32e8-4bdf-89da-fd36a51cf19a_rw_3840.jpg?h=d58516d277c09d0e486061fb7ed20b5a)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/d3c02302-b79c-4510-95ed-17a41ecfb185_rw_1920.jpg?h=994eb557eb5421ac67c03b0b6e81ad79)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/bbba6522-fb0e-453e-9979-426ef200d41e/79d0656a-9742-46af-9256-f8ed4851f746_rw_1920.jpg?h=e75fdd5e60519fe35467d75aa54e09f3)
Reflections
Since its inception, many folks have told me they wish this were a real place. The playful exploration of textures, bold illustrations, and typographic contrast create an identity that is both rustic and sophisticated.