The ant
had to fly.

Flight was
the point.

The character is in the flight. The mark needed to feel like an ant with wings, even as its lines were reduced into a clear, recognizable symbol.

The restaurant’s story drew on the chicatana, a Mexican flying ant associated with culinary tradition, seasonal migration, and resilience. It gave the identity a clear idea to return to as the drawing evolved.

For a playful Mexican cantina in Chicago’s Fulton Market, the idea connected a distinctive creature with regional food traditions and a seasonal Midwestern point of view.

Three directions.
One defining detail.

The exploration moved between a complete insect silhouette and a more reduced symbol. Each direction was considered both alongside the wordmark and on its own.

Wings, body, antennae, and open space were the variables. The three directions show how much could change while keeping the drawing concise.

Distinctive enough
to stand on its own.

The ant works independently of the name. Paired with the widely spaced wordmark, it becomes a compact identity; enlarged, its geometry becomes the focus.

Charcoal, soft grays, and warm white keep the supporting palette quiet. Narrow headings and clear descriptions organize the information, while the original gold artwork provides the accent.

From the mark
to the menu.

The menu is where the identity has to be useful. Clear sections, room around each dish, and a consistent price column let the food come first.

The refined presentation gives the menu a calmer rhythm, then carries the same restraint into a paired card composition and simple stationery.

The same ant.
Two very different rooms.

One direction is bright, divided, and editorial. The other is immersive and photographic. Both keep the original Chikatana identity, with the website providing a different atmosphere around it.

Two portfolio demonstrations bring those directions into focus, each with its own homepage, story, and menu experience.