Bearcat Baker

Local small-business owner and baker Alli Loar needed a visually appealing, effective menu to showcase her business, Bearcat Baker's, baked goods at local farmers markets. Two months later, she received a crucial sales tool to attract customers, communicate products clearly and reinforce her brand’s identity.

Project

Design

Completed

2024

Areas

  • campaign design
  • copywriting
  • graphic design
  • menu design
Thumbnail designs of menu concepts for Bearcat Baker's farmers market menu.
Brand guidelines created for Bearcat Baker.

Design Conceptualization

Understanding the personality of the products offered, along with the vision of the client, guided the creation of a menu design that embodies the brand’s essence and purpose.

The menu needed to feel inviting and approachable, while maintaining a professional polish that resonates with college students and local farmers market shoppers. Bearcat Baker’s baked goods are more than just treats—they support a local, student-driven business, making the design personal and purposeful.

My design approach stemmed from Loar’s logo, including an inviting color palette of green, white, and black to echo the businesses’ Maryville roots, paired with typography choices that balance playfulness and clarity.

Concept Development

The initial drafts of Bearcat Baker’s menu designs were developed to reflect the brand’s new welcoming, homemade aesthetic. The look and feel of these menus draw the eye, making them stand out among competing sellers.

I crafted two adaptable menu concepts: one with blended categories and the other with vertically stacked categories, offering a choice for the client. Both designs include a placeholder image and placeholder text for seasonal items, as they were awaiting content.

A Refined Approach

Part of the branding challenge for Bearcat Baker is her wide range of homemade baked goods. With a variety of delicious confections, it’s essential to make the decision-making process simple and intuitive.

To achieve this, we removed seasonal items to streamline the menu and focus on Bearcat Baker’s core offerings. Customers can make quicker, more confident buying decisions, ultimately increasing the likelihood of purchases.

The End Product

Finally, the rebrand rollout included high-quality images of the goods and appetizing descriptions, ensuring the menu not only informs but entices.

The inclusion of a QR code order link simplifies the ordering process, enabling customers to easily place orders from the convenience and comfort of their own homes.

All the design elements work together for a modern farmers market experience baked with Bearcat Bakers’ true voice.