Ngu—Dinh

Belly Button

Brand Identity
Services
Cafe - Bistro & Wine
Industry
2025
Year

Belly Button is a sophisticated Cafe – Bistro – Wine bar collective located in the heart of Tan Dinh, Saigon. In a market saturated with “imported” aesthetics, the project sought to create a space that resonates with the authentic identity of urban youth.

Brand Concept

The brand strategy was built on the synergy between architecture and identity, drawing inspiration from Roman community spaces where tranquility takes precedence over noise.

Core Philosophy: “Nothing is allowed to create a sense of urgency”.

Atmosphere: A sanctuary that blurs the boundaries between being “Instagrammable” for attraction and “Authentic” for retention.

The Narrative: Utilizing silence and negative space as core design ingredients, the brand invites customers to “navel-gaze”—a purposeful play on words symbolizing introspection and deep connection.

Logo Concept

The logo’s heartbeat lies in the stylized “o”—a delicate swirl representing the navel. It’s a visual metaphor for the origin of life and the flow of emotions. The hand-drawn curves break the rigidity of modern design, adding a touch of playful unpredictability that says: “Life is a bit messy, but it’s beautiful when we connect.

Visual Identity

The visual system establishes a sustainable and tactile identity through contrasting materials and organic tones.

Color Palette: An earthy system (Cream, Terracotta, Brick Red, and Dark Brown) reminiscent of natural light filtering through stone.

Typography Duo: A contrast between Whisper (a sensual, deep display script) and Inclusive Sans (a clean, neutral body font).

Graphic System: A red line-art illustration style captures candid, everyday moments within the Bistro.