Ngu—Dinh

Y.A.M.A

Brand Identity
Services
Coffee Tea Dessert
Industry
2023
Year

Y.A.M.A (You Are My Angel) is a coffee & dessert brand that originated in 2014 from a modest rooftop in Tay Ninh. After seven years of organic growth, the brand faced a critical transition as it expanded into high-traffic, premium locations like Vincom.

The objective of this rebranding project was to transform a beloved local shop into a professional identity system. The mission was to evolve the brand’s visual language to match its premium market positioning while preserving the core values that built its loyal community.

Brand Concept

The core challenge of the project was managing Brand Equity. The legacy “U” and wing symbols were deeply embedded in the customers’ minds. A radical shift could have disconnected the brand from its history.

The new concept was built on the intersection of Heritage and Modernity. Instead of maintaining a literal, illustrative style, the direction shifted toward a Monogram approach. The identity was designed to be an organic extension of the “Industrial” architectural space balancing the raw, concrete textures with the vibrant, energetic glow of the brand’s signature yellow.

Moodboard & Direction

Visual Metaphor: Replacing traditional “Angel” imagery with a “Modern Halo” using neon light bars and circular geometry.

Materiality: A curated contrast between the rough, tactile texture of raw concrete and the vibrant energy of yellow acrylic.

Logo Concept

The new logo is a sophisticated geometric structure where every stroke serves a strategic purpose:

The Central “U”: Serves as the primary anchor, preserving the “You” phonetic heritage of the brand.

The Symmetrical “M”: Elegantly stylized to represent a pair of abstract wings, symbolizing the “Angel” in a modern, scalable form.

The Minimalist Star: Inspired by the neon light installations at the stores, this element replaces the literal angel imagery with a subtle spark of “light”.

Total Integration: The entire Y-A-M-A acronym is woven into a single, unified symbol. This isn’t just a graphic exercise; it’s a solution that encapsulates seven years of history into one modern mark.

Visual Identity

The visual system, titled “The Angel’s Halo,” creates a cohesive dialogue between physical space and brand identity.

Typography: We utilized Lexend for the system font. Its rounded terminals provide a friendly atmosphere, while its modern structure maintains a premium, professional edge.

Color Palette: Yellow is the hero. In a competitive F&B market filled with neutral tones, this vibrant color ensures immediate top-of-mind awareness. It is balanced by a palette of Whites and Greys to reflect the store’s architectural materials.

Iconic Layouts: Slender neon light bars and the circular “Halo” were translated into minimalist layouts. This ensures a seamless transition between the Online and Offline experience, from a social media post to the physical cup in a customer’s hand.