Shadow Lounge is a cafe lounge. But it’s also a space to spotlight local creativity, from baristas and chefs to designers and artists. Specifically, we wanted to show what happens behind the scenes of any creative process: from cooking to design. The unseen, unfamiliar, unknown work. Starting with the logo, we experimented with different creative processes to design the logotype. But we purposefully chose an in between version. And from that thought we executed everything else from product design to art direction.

Graphic Design

Communications

Production

De La Sól / Shadow is a mixed concept space in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. A fluid intersection of exhibition halls, cafe lounge, retail displays, and client experience center of Sun Life Insurance (also the primary investor).
The Lab drew inspiration from the idea of growth — both a reference to Sun Life’s brand promise and the flourishing Ho Chi Minh City — to design different volumes in the space.
The design layers new elements in view of the old. The historical villa facade stands untouched, in contrast to a new 2-story structure of steel and glass, with both structure connected by an expressive loop staircase. Bespoke rotating kinetic sculptures dot the outdoor, acting as a shading solution and a landmark — and a visual metaphor for growth.
A captivating discovery during the design process was of the old villa's structure itself. After removing multiple paint-plaster layers outside, arch gates from the past, various brick types used in each renovation, and the building's century-old history, were all revealed. The building's history is etched into every brick, a testament to the city's cultural heritage.
Material selection is informed by the villa. Keeping the original brickwork and wooden beams, the designers chose stainless steel for visual contrast and durability through Vietnam’s rainy season.
The outdoor deck, framed by the loop staircase, provides a focal point for gatherings,providing a multi-use lobby for the various programs at De La Sol. The staircase, in turns,becomes a viewing deck to the different activities happening below and around it.

Spatial Design

Sun Life's Executive Lounge has front row view of Saigon river and skyline. This is where you witness the city's growth and think about how to make your mark on it.

Photography

Product Design

We contrasted the ups and downs of love with the mundane simplicity of HIV prevention. (It's just a pill.)

’Yêu Mới Khó. Còn Lại Có Ngại Gì’

A collaboration between the Pen Pineapple Apple Pen legend Pikotaro and 9-year-old NFT art prodigy Zombie Zoo.

Animation

FPDB is a food creative studio, in that order.

Branding for a generative art NFT project.

Metaverse

A duck who's an amateur YouTuber that spreads (obviously) fake news about the vaccine, and gets corrected by doctors.

An excuse to celebrate in the middle of Covid lockdown.

We reimagined festive holiday patterns as packaging and a kinetic window installation.

Bakes is a French pâtisserie that believes pastry should be like love: simple, thoughtful, honest.

Tbd is a construction company. Built by four Vietnamese men who met in Japan as laborers. They've come a long way.

A future-proof generative branding system for an up and coming podcast platform.

Oldies but goodies.

Rappers. Multinationals. Entrepreneurs. We work with anyone
with a creative challenge.

Oldies but goodies.

Rappers. Multinationals. Entrepreneurs. We work with anyonewith a creative challenge.

Rappers. Multinationals. Entrepreneurs. We work with anyone
with a creative challenge.