TORONTO
INTERNATIONAL
FESTIVAL OF AUTHORS

Mandate /
Problem Statement

Dark Table offers a one-of-a-kind dining experience where guests enjoy their meals in complete darkness, heightening their other senses. The goal of the redesign was to create a logo that subtly captures the essence of darkness and perception while maintaining an elegant and modern identity.

Creative Process

The concept for this project merges graphic design and neuroscience to celebrate literature’s power to transform our brains. The main idea — “the more we read, the more our neurons grow”— guides every creative decision, turning reading into a visually striking experience.

When placed side by side, the set of 3 posters forms a growing, interconnected neuronal network — visually reflecting the growing formations within our brains. Each poster stands as a piece of art, a manifestation of the creative process, and a celebration of literature’s ability to connect, inspire, and foster new ideas.

This concept finds its roots in the drawings by Ramón y Cajal, a pioneer in neuroscience. His depictions of neuronal formations inspired me to translate this scientific view into a graphic language — branching lines and organic structures — symbolizing growing knowledge, imagination, and creativity. This forms the structural base for the poster design.

The black ink splashed across the design directly represent literature and its raw, expressive power. The ink drops symbolize the flow of ideas, stories, and messages that nourish and connect our brains — much like signals traveling through neuronal formations.

To bring this concept into a graphic context, I vectorized the black ink formations. This process resulted in a set of versatile, scalable elements that can be manipulated and integrated into the poster’s composition, adding texture, depth, and a handcrafted feel.

To reflect the ever-present role of literature in our daily routines, I chose to incorporate letters sourced directly from street billboards, storefronts, and ordinary signage. This highlights how literature is not something distant or abstract — it’s a fundamental part of our lives, woven into our collective experience.

Using these real-world letters, I constructed and vectorized the word authors. This approach emphasizes their authenticity and character, adding texture, depth, and a strong visual presence to the poster’s message.

#FFFFFF

255,255,255

0,0,0,0

#54C3C2

84,195,194

62,0,28,0

#9ED2D1

158,210,209

38,3,19,0

#42515D

66,81,93

76,59,48,29

#1B1B1B

27,27,27

73,67,65,78

The color palette was carefully chosen to reflect the creative spirit of literature and the way reading helps our brains grow and connect.

Turquoise (#54C3C2; #9ED2D1): These shades bring a feeling of vitality, creativity, and renewal — much like growing neurons. They represent the way reading sparks new ideas and helps us see the world from a fresh perspective.
Dark Slate Grey (#42515D): This color adds depth and contrast to the design. It resonates with the intellectual side of literature — a medium for reflection, understanding, and thinking more profoundly — while tying together the organic forms within the composition.
Black (Ink Splash): Black stands for the raw expression of creativity and imagination that literature brings to life. The ink drops symbolize the spreading of ideas and stories, much like words leave their mark and connect with readers. Black also helps highlight key elements, adding texture and a strong graphic contrast.