A picture of the front of The Drake Hotel from thedrake.ca
WORKSABOUTCONTACT

branding design :  the drake hotel

ABOUT WORK

Located in Toronto, The Drake Hotel is a boutique destination known for its unique blend of hospitality, contemporary art, and award-winning cocktails. With its roots in both tradition and modernity, it has become a cultural icon in the city’s creative landscape.

I explored visual directions that highlighted the dual nature of The Drake: its historical roots and its modern edge. Concepts included cocktail glass-inspired forms, playful use of the hotel’s iconic shape, and type combinations that mixed elegant script with clean, contemporary lettering.

A picture of The Drake Hotel reception area from thedrake.ca
A picture of The Drake Hotel bar from thedrake.ca
A Picture of The Drake Cafe from thedrake.ca
A picture of a room at The Drake Hotel from thedrake.ca

A breakthrough came while sketching—the initials “TDH” were rotated and abstracted into the shape of a cocktail glass. This unexpected form cleverly referenced the hotel’s renowned mixology while tying into its initials. The logo retained a minimalist elegance that could scale across applications.

Logo design for The Drake Hotel, featuring a geometric ico of a cocktail glass formed from the initials "TDH", paired with bold, modern sans-serif typography
Mockup of exterior hanging sign featuring The Drake Hotel logo in black and yellow, mounted on a decorative wrought iron bracket outside a building. Credits to DesignBolts.
Mockup of top view of The Drake Hotel stationery set including business cards, letterhead, envelope, buttons, and branded elements arranged on a dark background. Credits to Mockups Design.
Mockup of hand holding a branded Drake Hotel takeaway coffee cup in front of a warmly lit storefront with blurred lights in the background. Credits to Unblast.
Mockup of flat lay of The Drake Hotel breakfast menu and business card placed on ceramic plates, styled with a white flower and silver cutlery on a marble tabletop. Credits to Pixpine.
Mockup of yellow saffron citrus bloom bath soap and matching branded packaging displayed on a bamboo tray beside lavender and a soft towel. Credits to Mockup Design.

The final logo bridges The Drake Hotel’s identity with its cocktail culture and vibrant aesthetic. It captures both sophistication and playfulness, offering a visual that is adaptable and true to the brand’s spirit.